_May_ 7th. Miss K----, AEt. 8. After a long continued ague, became
hectic and dropsical. Her belly was very large, and she had a total
loss of appetite. Half a grain of fol. Digital, pulv. with 2 gr. of
merc. alcalis. were ordered night and morning, and an infusion of bark
and rhubarb with steel wine to be given in the day time. Her belly
began to subside in a few days, and she was soon restored to health.
Two other children in the family, affected nearly in the same way, had
died, from the parents being persuaded that an ague in the spring was
healthful and should not be stopped.--I know not how far the recovery
in this case may be attributed to the Digitalis, but the child was so
near dying that I dared not trust to any less efficacious diuretic.