_Jan._ 5th. Mrs. M----, AEt. 48. Hydrothorax and anasarcous
legs, of eight months duration. She had taken jallap, squill,
salt of tartar, and various other medicines. I found her in a
very reduced state, and therefore directed only a grain and
half of the Pulv. Digital. to be given night and morning.
This in a few days encreased the secretion of urine, removed
her difficulty of breathing, and reduced the swelling of her
legs, without any disturbance to her system.
Three months afterwards, a severe attack of gout in her legs
and arms, removing to her head, she died.
Dr. Stokes had an opportunity of examining the dead body, and
I had the satisfaction to learn from him, that there did not
appear to have been any return of the dropsy.]
On the examination of the body I noticed, among others, the following
appearances.
About 3/4 oz. of bloody water flowed out, on elevating the upper half
of the scull, and a small quantity also was found at the base.
BRAIN. Blood-vessels turgid with blood, and many of those of
considerable size distended with air.
A very slight watery effusion between the _Pia Mater_ and _Tunica
arachnoidea_. About 3/4 oz. of watery fluid in the _lateral
ventricles_.
THORAX. In the left cavity about 4 oz. of bloody serum; in the right
but little. Lungs, the hinder parts loaded with blood. Adhesions of
each lobe to the pleura. _Pericardium_ containing but a very small
quantity of fluid. _Heart_ containing no coagula of blood. _Valves of
the Aorta_ of a cartilaginous texture, as if beginning to ossify.
_Abdominal Viscera_ natural, and a profusion of _Fat_ under the
integuments of the abdomen and thorax, in the former to the thickness
of an inch and upwards, and in very considerable quantity on the
mesentery, omentum, kidneys, &c.
OBS. The intermitting pulse should seem to have been owing to
effusions of water in some of the cavities of the breast, as it
disappeared on the removal of the waters.