Mary Hollis, aged 62, was admitted an out patient of the Birmingham
General Hospital _February_ 12th, 1784, labouring under all the
effects of hydrothorax; her dread of suffocation during sleep was so
great, that she always reposed in an elbow chair. She was directed to
take two grains of Digitalis in powder every night and morning, and
for a few days found great relief; but, on the eighth day, as she had
complained of sickness, and had been considerably purged, she was
ordered to desist taking any more of her powders. On the 14th day she
was ordered an ounce of the following infusion twice in a day: R. Fol.
Digital. purp. sicc. [Symbol: dram]iss. aq. bullient. [Symbol: pound]ss.
digere per semi-horam, colaturae adde tinct. aromatic [Symbol: ounce]i.
This infusion did not purge, but sometimes excited nausea, though not
sufficient to prevent her from continuing its use. She grew gradually
better, and on the 6th of _May_ was discharged perfectly cured. The
diuretic effects of the Digitalis were in this instance immediate.