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Mr. Rt. Thomson, Shop-keeper, fifty years of age, not inclined
to corpulency, has been subject, from his youth, to frequent, but irregular
returns, of an hœmorrhoidal discharge of blood, generally small in quantity.
For the last twelve years, he has been, at times, affected with headack,
lassitude, inflammation of the Eyes, pains in different parts of his body
and other symptoms of Plethora, to relieve which Venæsection was prescribed.

Altho' his manner of living was temperate, his Symptoms frequently
returned, and he, as often, had recourse to the Lancet, as from it alone
he experienced certain relief. This, at length, induced such a habit, that,
for some years past, he has been bled, commonly, once every three months.
As he had a tendency to costiveness, tincture of Rhubarb & Powders composed
of Nitre, Cream of Tartar, & Rhubb. were frequently used; with an intention,
also, to favor the discharge of blood be the Hæmorl. Vessels, & present the too
frequent use of artificial bleedings, which, he was told, might have bad
consequences. By these means, & persuasion, the blood lettings were delayed --
beyond the usual time; but, from the beginning of last year, the symp¬
toms of Plethora became more violent, attended with giddiness, flushings
of the face &ca. so that, fearing worse consequences, it was absolutely ne¬
cessary to use the Lancet, & that freely. From the 1st. of Febry to the 2d.
of Octr. he was blooded six times, about 12 oz of blood being taken
away at each time; he took cooling, laxative medicines, used a spare
diet, & rode out, on a horseback, three or four times a week.

On the 13th. of October, he was seized with a violent pain of his breast,

In the month of Jany, this year, the left leg became affected in a
similar manner. -- For two months past, the right leg has been
considerably Œdematous; the swelling extending, of late, above the knee;
but it has gained no ground, during the last fortnight, when the other
leg began to swell. The Scrotum has never been affected, nor is
there any appearance of Water in the cavity of Abdomen.

He has passed very little urine, in the day time, since the Swelling of
his legs began, tho', till lately, he voided it very freely during the
night. ---- The medicines that have been used, are, Spt. Nitrj dulc.
Sal: Polychrest: -- Diureticus, -- Nitrj, Crem. Tartar: Pilulæ Scillit: bryonel
Colchic: Pulv. Diuret. -- Infus. Amar -- Pulv. Jalop. & two or three small
bleedings, when his breast & breath were affected. When the weather

Anodyne Liniment, repeated frictions, & a flannel Bandage, were em¬
ployed for the pain & Swelling of the Legs. --

At present, a scarcity of Urine, and the Swelling of his Legs, form
the principal complaint. His pulse is generally quick, but not full, or
strong; has very little thirst; and, considering the length of his distress, &
confinement, he is not weak, nor much emaciated. -- The Hœmorc
has not appeared, during his illness, but once, & then, in a very small quantity:
He, indeed, passed, three or four very dark coloured stools, about three months ago.
He is considerably apprehensive of himself, especially of late. ---