ANASARCA.

Watery Swelling over the Whole Body.

Anasarca, Sauv. gen. 281. Lin. 215. Vog. 313. Sag. 168. Boerh. 1225. Hoffm. III. 322. Junck. 87. Monro on the Drophy. Millman Animadversiones de hydropoe 1779. Phlegmatia, Sauv. gen. 282. Angina aquosa, Boerh. 791.

In this disease the feet first begin to swell, especially in the evening, after exercise, and when the patient has stood or sat long; this swelling rises frequently to the thighs. By lying in bed, the swelling becomes less, or even almost disappears. In the progress of the disease, the swelling often rises to the hips, loins, and belly, and at last covers the whole body. This disease, besides the other symptoms afterwards mentioned under ASCITES, is attended with a remarkable difficulty of breathing. In the cure of this, as well as other species of dropsy, the general intentions are, first, the evacuation of the water already effused either by natural or artificial outlets; and, secondly, the prevention of fresh accumulation, which is chiefly to be expected from supporting a due action of the absorbents, and from keeping up a proper discharge by the feros excretories.

The remedies employed with these intentions are much the same with what are employed against the more important genus of aficte. Only it may be here noticed, that in anaflora it has by many been recommended to scarify the feet and legs. By this means the water is often discharged; but the operator must be cautious not to make the incisions too deep; they ought barely to penetrate through the skin; and especial care must be taken, by spirituous fomentations and proper digestives, to prevent a gangrene. Dr Fothergill observes, that the safest and most efficacious way of making these drains is by the instrument used for cupping, called a scarificator; and he always orders it to be so applied as to make the little wounds transversely; as they not only discharge better, but are also longer in healing, than when made longitudinally.

Notwithstanding every precaution, however, gangrene will often ensue; and it is upon the whole a much safer practice to evacuate the water by the natural outlets, the valvular lymphatic absorbents; and with this intention emetics and cathartics, but particularly diuretics, are often employed with success.