Although it may not admit of cure, the painful symptoms attending it may be very much palliated; and, as they are so severely distressing, we ought to resort to every probable means of alleviating them. Remedies, which lessen the action of the heart, seem to be most commonly indicated. Blood-letting affords more speedy and compleat relief, than any other remedy. Its effect is quite temporary, but there can be no objection to repeating it. The digitalis purpurea seems to be a medicine well adapted to the alleviation of the symptoms, not only by diminishing the impetus of the heart, but by lessening the quantity of circulating fluids. Its use is important in removing the dropsical collections; and for this purpose it may often be conjoined with quicksilver. Expectoration is probably promoted by the scilla maritima, which, in a few cases, seemed also to alleviate the cough and dyspnoea. Blisters often diminish the severe pain in the region of the heart, and the uneasiness about the liver. It has been seen, that the excessive action of the heart sometimes produces inflammation of the pleura and pericardium, and that the distention of the coat of the liver has the same effect upon that membrane in a slighter degree. Vesication may probably lessen those inflammations. When the stomach and bowels are overloaded, a singular alleviation of the symptoms may be produced by cathartics, and even when that is not the case, the frequent use of moderate purgative medicines is advantageous. Full doses of opium are, at times, necessary through the course of the complaint. The antiphlogistic regimen should be carefully observed. The food should be simple, and taken in small quantities, stimulating liquors cautiously avoided, and the repose of body and mind preserved, as much as possible.
The causes of some of the phoenomena of this disease are easily discovered; those of the others are involved in obscurity, and form a very curious subject for investigation. I shall not at present trouble you with the ideas relating to them, which have occurred to me, but hope to be able to present some additional remarks on the subject, at a future period. In the mean time, I beg leave to invite the attention of the society to the observation of the symptoms of this interesting disorder, and of the morbid appearances in the dead bodies of those, who have become its victims.