Mr. H----, a publican, aged about 48 years, sent for me in _March_,
1778. He complained of a cough, shortness of breathing, which
prevented him from laying down in bed; his belly, thighs and legs very
much distended with water; the quantity of urine made at a time seldom
exceeded a spoonful. I requested him to get some of the Digitalis, and
as they had no proper weights in the house, I told them to put as much
of the fresh leaves as would weigh down a guinea, into half a pint of
boiling water; to let it stand till cold, then to pour off the clear
liquor, and add a glass of gin to it, and to take three table
spoonfuls every third hour, until it had some sensible effect upon
him.
Before he had taken all the infusion, the quantity of urine made
increased, (he therefore left off taking it), and it continued to do
so until all the water was evacuated. His breathing became much
better, his cough abated, though it never quite left him; he being for
some time before asthmatic. By taking some tonic pills he continued
quite well until the next spring, when he had a return of his
complaint, which was carried off by the same means. Two years after,
he had a third attack, and this also gave way to the medicine. Last
year he died of a pleurisy.
I am, &c.
JER. VAUX
Moor-Street, 8th May,
1785.
P. S. You must well recollect the case of Mrs. F----.--It was "a
general dropsy--every time she took the medicine its effects were
similar, viz. The discharge of urine came on gradually at first,
increased afterwards, and the whole of the water both in the belly,
legs, &c. was perfectly evacuated. Although the effects were only
temporary, they were exceedingly agreeable to the patient, making her
time much more comfortable."--(_See Case_ XLIII.)
A Letter from Mr. WAINWRIGHT,
Surgeon, in Dudley.
Dear SIR,
It gives me great pleasure to find you intend to publish your
observations on the Digitalis purpurea.
Several years are now elapsed since you communicated to me the high
opinion you entertained of the diuretic qualities of this noble plant.
To ensure success, due attention was recommended to its _preparation_,
its _dose_, and its _effects_ upon the system.
I always gave the infusion of the dried leaves; the dose the same as
in the prescriptions returned. If the medicine operated on the stomach
or bowels, it was thought prudent to forbear. When the kidneys began
to perform their proper functions, and the urine to be discharged, a
continuance of its farther use was unnecessary.
These remarks you made in the case of the first patient for whom you
prescribed the Digitalis in our neighbourhood, and I have found them
all necessary at this present period. From the _decided_ good effects
that followed from its use, in those cases where the most powerful
remedies had failed, I was soon convinced it was a most valuable
addition to the materia medica.
The want of a certain diuretic, has long been one of the desiderata of
medicine. The Digitalis is undoubtedly at the head of that class, and
will seldom, if properly administered, disappoint the expectation. I
can speak with the more confidence, having, in an extensive practice,
been a happy witness to its good qualities.
For several years, I have given the infusion in a variety of cases,
where there was a deficiency in the secretion of the urine, with the
greatest success. In recent obstructions, I do not recollect many
failures. In anasarcous diseases, and in the anasarca, when combined
with the ascites; in swellings of the limbs, and in diseases of the
chest, when there was the greatest reason to believe an accumulation
of serum, the most beneficial consequences have followed from its use.
Had I been earlier acquainted with your intention to publish an
account of the Digitalis, I could have transmitted some cases, which
might have served to corroborate these assertions: but I am convinced
the Digitalis needs not my assistance to procure a favorable
reception. Its own merit will ensure success, more than a hundred
recited cases.
I could wish those gentlemen who intend to make use of this plant, to
collect it in a hot dry day, when the petals fall, and the
seed-vessels begin to swell.
The leaves kept to the second year are weaker, and their diuretic
qualities much diminished. It will therefore be necessary to gather
the plant fresh every season.
These cautions are unnecessary to the accurate botanist, who well
knows, that a plant in the spring, though more succulent and full of
juices, is destitute of those qualities which may be expected when
that plant has attained its full vigour, and the seed-vessels begin to
be manifest. But for want of attention to these particulars, its
virtues may be thought exaggerated, or doubtful, if beneficial
consequences do not always flow from its use. There are diseases it
cannot cure; and in several of those patients in this town, who first
took the Digitalis by your orders, there was the most positive proof
of the viscera being unsound. In these desperate cases it often
procured a plentiful flow of urine, and palliated a disease which
medicine could not remove.
At a remote distance, physicians are seldom applied to for advice in
trifling disorders. Many remedies have been tried without relief, and
the disease is generally obstinate or confirmed.--It would not be fair
to try the merits of the Digitalis in this scale. It might often fail
of promoting the end desired. I flatter myself the reputation of this
plant will be equal to its merit, and that it will meet with a candid
reception.
As there is no pleasure equal to relieving the miseries and distresses
of our fellow-creatures, I hope you will long enjoy that peculiar
felicity.
Permit me to return my thankful acknowledgments, for your free
communication of a medicine, by which means, through the blessing of
providence, I have been enabled to restore health and happiness to
many miserable objects.
I am, &c.
Yours,
J. WAINWRIGHT.
Dudley, April 26th,
1785.
CASE of Mr. WARD, Surgeon, in
Birmingham.--Related by himself.
In _September_, 1782, I was seized with a difficulty of breathing, and
oppression in my chest, in consequence of taking cold from being
called out in the night. My tongue was foul; my urine small in
quantity; my breath laborious and distressing on the slightest
exercise. I tried the medicines most generally recommended, such as
emetics, blisters, lac ammoniacum, oxymel of squills, &c. but finding
little or no relief, I consulted Dr. Withering, who advised me to try
the following prescription.
R. Fol. Digital. purp. siccat. [Symbol: dram]iss.
Aq. bullientis [Symbol: ounce]iv.
Aq. cinn. sp. [Symbol: ounce]ss. digere per horas quatuor, et colaturae
capiat cochlear. i. nocte maneque.
He also desired me to take fifty drops of tincture of cantharides
three or four times a day.
After taking eight ounces of the infusion, and about twelve drams of
the drops, I was perfectly cured, and have had no return since. The
medicine did not occasion sickness or vertigo, nor had they any other
sensible effect than in changing the appearance, and increasing the
quantity of the urine, and rendering the tongue clean. After the last
dose or two indeed, I had a little nausea, which was immediately
removed by a small glass of brandy.
Birmingham, 1st July, 1785.
Communications from Mr. YONGE,
Surgeon, in Shiffnall, Shropshire.
Dear SIR,
I have great satisfaction in complying with your just claim, by
transcribing outlines of the subsequent cases, for insertion in your
long requested tract on the Digitalis purpurea. The two first of these
you will easily recollect, the cures having been conducted immediately
under your own management, and the whole may add to that weight of
evidence which long experience enables you to adduce of the efficacy
of that valuable medicine. I have recited the only instances of its
failure which occur to me, but many other, though successful cases,
wherein its utility might seem dubious, and also the accounts received
from people whose accuracy might be suspected, I shall not for obvious
reasons trouble you with.
I am, dear Sir,
Your obliged friend,
WILLIAM YONGE.
Shiffnall,
_May_ 1, 1785.