Mr. P----, 65 years of age, and of a full habit of body. Had lived
freely in his youth, and for many years led rather an inactive life.
His health was much impaired several months, and he had a considerable
distention, and evident fluctuation in the abdomen, and a very great
oedema of the legs and thighs. His breathing was very short, and
rather laborious, appetite bad, and thirst considerable. His belly was
bound, and he passed very small quantities of high-coloured urine,
that deposited a reddish matter. He had taken medicines some time,
and, I believe, the Digitalis; and had been better.
A blister was applied to the upper and inside of each thigh; he took
two spoonfuls of the decoction, with three drams of the dry leaves,
two or three times a day; and some opening physic occasionally.
He lived at a considerable distance, and I did not visit him a second
time; but I was well informed, about ten days or a fortnight
afterwards, that his urine increased amazingly upon taking the
decoction, and that the water was entirely evacuated.