ion in the swellings; her legs were now so
large as to oblige her to keep constantly on the bed, and she made
very little water. I ordered her the infusion of Foxglove three times
a day, which, on the third day, produced a very copious discharge of
urine, without any sickness; she continued the use of it for ten days,
and was then able to walk. Having lost all her swellings, and no
complaint remaining but weakness, the bark and steel compleated the
cure.

Extract of a Letter from Doctor JONES,
Physician, in Lichfield.

Anxious to procure authentic accounts from the patients, to whom I
gave the Foxglove, I have unavoidably been delayed in answering your
last favour. However, I hope the delay will be made up by the efficacy
of the plant being confirmed by the enquiry. Long cases are tedious,
and seldom read, and as seldom is it necessary to describe every
symptom; for every case would be a history of dropsy. I shall
therefore content myself with specifying the nature of the disease,
and when the dropsy is attended with any other affection shall notice
it.

Two years have scarcely elapsed since I first employed the Digitalis;
and the success I have had has induced me to use it largely and
frequently.

CASE I.

Ann Willott, 50 years of age, became a patient of the Dispensary on
the 11th of April 1783. She then complained of an enlargement of the
abdomen, difficulty of breathing, particularly when lying, and
costiveness. She passed small quantities of high-coloured urine; and
had an evident fluctuation in the belly. Her legs were oedematous.
Chrystals of tartar, squills, &c. had no effect. The 13th of _June_
she took two spoonfuls of a decoction of Foxglove, containing three
drams of the dry leaves, in eight ounces, three times a day. Her urine
soon increased, and in a few days she passed it freely, which
continued, and her breath returned.

CASE II.

Mr. ----, 45 years of age, had been long subject to dropsical
swellings of the legs, and made little water. Two spoonfuls of the
same decoction twice a day, soon relieved him.

CASE III.

Mrs. ----, aged 70 years. A lady frequently afflicted with the gout,
and an asthmatical cough. After a long continuance of the latter, she
had a great diminution of urine, and considerable difficulty of
breathing, particularly on motion, or w