156 DROPSY. 



class I have found the digitalis, or foxglove, the very best. 

 Now and then, however, other medicaments of this kind 

 have succeeded when this has failed. I shall, therefore, de- 

 tail such recipes as appear best suited to the case, observing 

 that, with regard to the foxglove, it is most certain in its 

 effect as a diuretic, as well in the canine as the human spe- 

 cies, when it neither occasions sickness nor purging. The 

 dose should, therefore, be always so regulated as to avoid 

 these effects : — 



No. 1.— Powdered foxglove 12 grains 



Antimonial powder 15 grains 



Nitrated potash (wifre) 1 dram. 



Mix, and divide into nine, twelve, or fifteen parcels, one of 

 which give night and morning. 



No. *2. — Powdered foxglove 9 grains 



Powdered squills 12 grains 



Supertartrate of potash {cream of tartar) . 2 drams 



Mix, divide, and give, as No. 1. 



1^0. 3.— Oxymel of squills 1 ounce 



Infusion of tobacco (asunder) half an ounce 



Spirit of nitrous aether {sweet spirit of nitre) half an ounce 



Tincture of opium half a dram 



Infusion of camomile 2 ounces. 



Mix, and give from two tea-spoonfuls, to a large table spoon- 

 ful, night and morning. The tobacco infusion may be made 

 by pouring two ounces of boiling water on a dram of tobacco. 

 I have, in some cases, combined calomel with the other re- 

 medies to the amount of half a grain, or a grain, night and 

 morning ; and this apparently with benefit. 1 have also tried 

 the effect of strong mercurial purges twice a week, in cases 

 where diuretic medicines failed of relieving. Friction and 

 the warm bath have been also used, but without apparent 

 advantage *. In the few cases wherein diuretics succeeded, 



* In one case, one part of oil of turpentine, with two parts of olive 

 oil, rubbed into the belly night and morning, appeared to excite absorp- 

 tion ; but it must be noticed, that the turpentine was also given at the 

 same time internally*^ to the amount of forty drops twice a day. 



