INTRODUCTION. XIX 
** and downwards fometimes, of tough flegme, and 
“4 clammy humours, notwithftanding that thefe 
‘* qualities are found to bee in it, there are but few 
‘* phyfitions in our times that put it to. thefe- ufes, 
‘* but it is in a manner wholly neglected.” 
. ». Parkinson, p. 654. 
Previous to the year 1777, you informed meé of 
the great fuccefs you had met with in curing drop- 
fies by means of the fol. Digitalis, which you then 
confidered as a more certain diuretic than any you 
had ever tried. Some time afterwards, Mr. Ruffel, 
furgeon, of Worcefter, having heard of the fuc- 
cefs which had attended fome cafes.in which you 
had given it, requefted me to obtain for him any 
information you might be inclined to communicate 
refpe@ing its ufe. In confequence of this applica- 
fon. ke wrote to me in the following terms.’ : : 
dated trate nee 778. you white: as follows: — 
‘« T with it was as eafy to write upon the Digitalis 
‘* J defpair of pleafing myfelf or inftrudting others, 
** in a fubje& fo difficult. It is much eafier to 
‘* write upon a difeafe than upon a remedy. ‘The 
‘** former is in the hands of nature, ‘and a faith 
** obferver, with an eye of tolerable jue 
“ cannot fail to delineate a likenefs. The latter 
** will ever be fubje& to the whims, the i inact 
** eies, and the blunders of mankind.”— 
