INTUMESCENTI^:. 597 



able degree, is a means as likely as any other of exciting an ab- 

 sorption in dropsical parts. It is upon this account that 

 diuretic medicines have been always properly employed in the 

 cure of dropsy. The various diuretics that may be employed, 

 are enumerated in every treatise of the Materia Medica and of 

 the Practice of Physic, and therefore need not be repeated here. 

 It happens, however, unluckily, that none of them are of very 

 certain operation ; neither is it well known why they sometimes 

 succeed, and why they so often fail ; nor why one medicine 

 should prove of service when another does not. It has been 

 generally the fault of writers upon the Practice of Physic, that 

 they give us instances of cases in which certain medicines have 

 proved very efficacious, but neglect to tell us in how many other 

 instances the same have failed. 



" The powers of Digitalis as a diuretic are now ascertained 

 by numberless experiments ; but upon what sort of operation 

 these powers depend, I am at a loss to explain. Whether it 

 be by a specific stimulus applied to the kidneys, or by a general 

 operation upon the system, which particularly affects the kid- 

 neys, does not appear very clearly. The small dose in which 

 the digitalis commonly operates, makes it difficult to suppose 

 that so much of that dose can go to the kidneys as to be a con- 

 siderable stimulus to these organs ; and, on the other hand, the 

 effects of that dose on the stomach and intestines, and especially 

 its effect in diminishing the frequency of the pulse, are certain 

 proofs of a general operation upon the system. 



" I have introduced this speculation that some of my readers 

 may prosecute the inquiry ; but I do not take any pains at 

 present to decide in the question, because I do not perceive 

 that either opinion can have any influence upon practice. This, 

 abstracted from all speculation, must be established by experi- 

 ence. With respect to this I could wish to lay down here rules 

 for the proper management of this medicine ; but I will not 

 attempt it, because I can direct my reader to a more proper 

 means of instruction by referring him to the treatise of my very 

 ingenious and learned friend Dr. Withering on this subject, 

 which is a treatise in many persons hands, and, in my opinion, 

 should be in the hands of every practitioner of physic. 



