1428. In Dropsical Affections, Mercury Should Be Given With Much Caution

"When," observes Dr. Watson,|| "Ascites is passive, where the distension of the peritonaeum has crept on without pain, fever, or other marks of inflammatory action, our first and best hope of evacuating the fluid will rest upon diuretics. Drastic purges may also be employed. If these remedies fail, and we suspect hepatic disease, it Mill be proper to give the patient the chance of the remedial influence of Mercury." The disease being chronic, the introduction of the drug should be gradual. Dr. Baillie's is an eligible formula: - Pil. Hydraig. gr. v., Pulv. ScillAe gr. j., Pulv. Digitalis gr. 1/2, M. ft. pil. ter in die sumend. In Hydrothorax and Hydrocephalus, the results of acute inflammation, it is often of service. In dropsy depending upon granular disease of the kidney, it is injurious; and it should

* Ouy's Hosp. Rep , No. v.

Midwifery, p. 4(58.

Clin. Loot., vol. ii. p. 293.

§ Lectures, vol. i. p. 258. || Lib. of Med., vol v. p. 154.

be administered with great caution to old persons, or to those greatly debilitated. In Ovarian Dropsy, it is of little service. Hydro-pericardium is sometimes successfully treated by Calomel carried slowly to salivation.

1429. In mild cases of Influenza, simple diaphoretic remedies and confinement to the house are generally all that is required; but in severe attacks, more active means must be employed, and of these, Dr. T. Davies found Mercury carried sufficiently far to render the gums slightly sore, the most efficacious treatment. (Watson.)