678 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1755. 



one drop of any fluid was found in the cavity of the abdomen ; an enormous 

 cystis, which might have contained, when full, about 6 gallons, having com- 

 pletely filled the whole extent of it. There were likewise attached to the coats 

 of it 5 large bodies of fungus flesh, the least of them larger than a man's fist. 

 Each of these, when cut open, appeared to be divided into cells, full of white 

 glutinous pus. This extraordinary mass adhered only to the fund of the uterus, 

 and together with it, the fungus substances, and vagina, when taken out, en- 

 tirely covered a middle sized pillar and claw tea-table. They now found, that 

 in the night the canula had accidentally slipped out of the cystis ; and that the 

 operator, in making the 2d or 3d puncture, had fallen upon one of these fungous 

 bodies, which gave occasion to the above-mentioned disappointment. On pro- 

 ceeding to a further examination of the abdomen and thorax, they found every 

 thing sound, and in its proper state, excepting the posterior part of the right 

 lobe of the lungs, which was full of purulent matter, and adhered to the pleura. 

 Mr. W. adds, that the ovaria did not distinctly show themselves, so as to satisfy 

 any inquiry about them ; but this perhaps might be owing to the hurry or in- 

 accuracy of the dissector. 



Whether these miscarriages are sufficient to discredit a method of practice, 

 which has the appearance of being the most rational one yet found out for 

 managing a dropsy, Mr. W. leaves to the determination of better judges. The 

 frequent miscarriages that happen in the ordinary way, seem suflScient to justify 

 every attempt to render the success of it less precarious. If any further trials of 

 it be made, he would beg leave to recommend its being done before the viscera 

 are too much injured by the dropsical lymph; and if the evacuation be made at 

 different times, with a view of preventing a syncope, that brandy, or some such 

 liquor, properly diluted, be made use of instead of claret, which, as he -apprehends 

 by the heat of the body, may be apt to turn sour. It may be likewise proper 

 that the head of the patient, during the evacuation, lies lower than any other 

 part of the body. 



As in the 2d instance above-mentioned, tar-water had been recommended by 

 some gentlemen of the profession, then preseot, instead of Bristol-water, Mr. 

 W. some time after the death of his patient, injected a pint of it warm into the 

 belly of a small cur, to see how far the effect of it differed from that of claret 

 and Bristol-water. The dog immediately fell into great agonies, and in about 2 

 hours died. The abdomen being opened, all the intestines were found greatly 

 inflamed. He then tried claret and Bristol-water, also port wine and fountain 

 water, on other dogs, after the same manner. Each of these injections was re- 

 tained with little or no inconvenience, except intoxications : and in 48 hours 

 the dogs became well again, the injection being entirely absorbed. . It occurred 

 to him in making these experiments, when the power of absorption seemed very 



