DEP/DUA/1/31/43 (Transcript version)

William Davidson

(1782-1783)

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Wm Davidson

Case somewhat of complic nature

But prin of dropsic kind.

And these if not induced, at least very much aggrav from influenza.

Besides these indeed, flying pains also in diff parts of body.

And especially severe in his head.

But of all sympt. what most distress. was dysp.

And this, attended with some partic, indic accum of water in breast.

Of this ground for suspic. from being obliged to sleep in erect post.

From these circum I own, not without doubts as to event.

But either susp. ill founded, or much to be attrib to remed empl.

For in no long time affect took very fav. turn.

And after being under care for little more than space of a month, dismissd free from affect.

This I must own am inclind to attrib, if not entirely, at least in great meas, to remed here employd.

First pract to which had recourse blister to side, & Crem of Tart to extent of ℥p in the day.

Reckoned it of some conseq. that from former of these free disch.

But still more, that by latter quant. of urine, which had been dimin, was augm even beyond natur stand.

In drop affect in gener. no circum better ground for fav judgem than that of obs. serous excret. readily augm

And to this am chiefly disp to attrib sudden disapp. of obv. swelling

To be observd however that after swelling of legs entirely gone dysp. still remaind.

A circum by no means uncom. where dysp. from water in chest.

For absorpt. not always equally readily affected from every cavit.

Hence then, even where anasarc swelling removed, patients yet often cutt of from [Hydrothor].

Where however ready encrease of Urin & free absorp recov. more to be expected.

And accord naturally led to persist in remed by which had been brought about, use viz of Crem of Tart.

With this however you will observe conjoined als empl. of Peruv Bark

The combin use of evac & tonics, but a late pract in drop.

Am however persuaded, that of very great import.

And in many inst, in place of retard, even forwards evac.

Cannot indeed say that this the case in pres inst.

But had at least no contrary effect.

And from commen of employm, both cough & dysp. dimin.

Such circum then, it would app, no suff. reason why should delay use of tonics, till evac compl.

And in pres inst. an example not only of safety, but even of advan of giving these, at very time when evac used.

And is also exampl. of benefite from Cream of Tart with former, & Peruv Bark with latter of these intent.