Cullen

The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

 

[ID:1804] From: Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Dr William Millar (Miller; of Walkinshaw) (Patient) / 14 January 1780 / (Incoming)

Letter from Alexander Stevenson concerning the case of Mr Millar of Walkinshaw. Refers to Millar's nephew. Postscript reports on Prof. Alexander Wilson's measurements of sub-zero temperatures overnight at Glasgow.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 1804
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/884
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date14 January 1780
Annotation None
TypeAuthorial original
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter from Alexander Stevenson concerning the case of Mr Millar of Walkinshaw. Refers to Millar's nephew. Postscript reports on Prof. Alexander Wilson's measurements of sub-zero temperatures overnight at Glasgow.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1274]
Case of Dr William Miller of Walkinshaw who has gout.
2


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:563]AuthorDr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn )
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:661]PatientDr William Millar (Miller; of Walkinshaw)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:563]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn )
[PERS ID:788]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMr Alexander Millar (Sandy)
[PERS ID:855]OtherProfessor Alexander Wilson

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other West Indies certain
Mentioned / Other England Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place of Handstamp Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Glasgow 14 January 1780
Dear Doctor


Mr Millar of Walkinshaw has
been very ill of late - his nephew Mr A. Millar
& I have agreed to ask your assistance, without
telling him.


He is three or four years above sixty ––
Corpulent & for many years liable to a feeble
gout
. Near three years ago He had a slight
Paralytic attack of the left side - which made
no lasting impression - He has had a gentle
fit or two of the gout since that time - and
has had an Issue kept open. He was much
urged to take a good deal of Exercise; to travel
thro England & use some of the Mineral Waters.


He found excuses to avoid it - kept too much
at home, & lived full.


Last Summer he became anxious about the
state of his West Indian possessions, which was
increased by the unexpected return of his mana¬
ger & produced an evident bad effect upon his health.



[Page 2]


Near two months ago He found, when in bed,
a sudden uneasiness, as if Respiration were
at a stand
- he sprung up, & was relieved -
This attack returned oftener & became more
oppressive, till he gave up going into bed
entirely - & for a month past He has generally
sate in a Night Chair which slopes back & his
feet are stretched out upon pillows. Even thus
He sleeps very ill from the return of these
Suffocations -


In the beginning he was moderately blooded
that isto 8 Ounces with temporary relief -


He found some benefit oftener than once from
a Puke of Ipecachuana. washed down with Mustard water.
He was habitualy in use to take Tinct. [Senna?]
He had taken a bitter Infusion with some spirit
& wine in it. Some of the Diueretics were since
added, viz. Dauc. silv & mustard ---


Asafœtida was taken, in pretty large quantity,
alongst with Zingib. & rubigo Ferri in pills:
but his stomach has since agreed better with



[Page 3]

g. guiac instead of the Asaf.


About a fortnight ago He had a goutish
pain of his Heel after which he has been
rather better. After it left him he tried a syna¬
pism
to the Ankles, which gave much pain
without much effect - garlic was next
put to his Soles without giving him pain; &
he passed a better night, having had four hours
sleep.


Still however he is in the Chair all night
& has frequent returns of the stifling & fits.


His Appetite is not so good as it was, but
He rather ate too much a few days ago in
my house -- & he takes Madeira or Rum &
water as in health.


His Pulse is but little quickened, skin cool.
urine not scanty, with brick dust sediment.
His Legs are a little swelled. Upon motion
thro' a Room he is very breathless.


He goes out in the Chaise daily (unless
this severe weather has prevented him)



[Page 4]

& he has sometimes slept in the Carriage.
He is always better when there is cheer¬
full Company with him.


He has a Blister left with him, either
to apply to the Ankle or between the shoulders
as he shall be prevailed with.


I have been very apprehensive of a Watery
Collection in the Thorax; yet wou'd not
despair of his getting some respite and a
a proper fit of the gout be produced.


Your Opinion & directions will be very
agreeable to, Dear Dr,
your most Obedient Servant
A. Stevenson


His nephew told me that the
best night he has had was after
drinking near two bottles of Claret.



[Page 5]

P.S. 15 January –


The post was gone when my Letter was
finished & as there is none on Saturday I have
kept it till today - but have not heard
from Walkinshaw - When Sandy Miller
comes to Edinburgh in a few Days, he will
wait upon you –


I suppose you have heard of P. Wilsons
observations of the late cold -
on the Night between Tuesday & Wednesday
the Thermometer sunk to [13?]½ below 0 at
the observatory - next night to 14
when hung on a tree -& to 23 lying
in the snow.

On the sole of my Window at Nine that mor¬
ning it was [4?] below 0

yours
A.S.



[Page 6]


To
Doctor William Cullen
Professor of Physic
Edinburgh


Dr Stevenson
Concerning Millar of Walkinshaw
Janry. 1780.
X. p. 145

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Glasgow 14 Jan. 1780
Dear Doctor


Mr Millar of Walkinshaw has
been very ill of late - his nephew Mr A. Millar
& I have agreed to ask your assistance, without
telling him.


He is three or four years above sixty ––
Corpulent & for many years liable to a feeble
gout
. Near three years ago He had a slight
Paralytic attack of the left side - which made
no lasting impression - He has had a gentle
fit or two of the gout since that time - and
has had an Issue kept open. He was much
urged to take a good deal of Exercise; to travel
thro England & use some of the Mineral Waters.


He found excuses to avoid it - kept too much
at home, & lived full.


Last Summer he became anxious about the
state of his West Indian possessions, which was
increased by the unexpected return of his mana¬
ger & produced an evident bad effect upon his health.



[Page 2]


Near two months ago He found, when in bed,
a sudden uneasiness, as if Respiration were
at a stand
- he sprung up, & was relieved -
This attack returned oftener & became more
oppressive, till he gave up going into bed
entirely - & for a month past He has generally
sate in a Night Chair which slopes back & his
feet are stretched out upon pillows. Even thus
He sleeps very ill from the return of these
Suffocations -


In the beginning he was moderately blooded
i.e.to ℥viij with temporary relief -


He found some benefit oftener than once from
a Puke of Ipecac. washed down with Mustard water.
He was habitualy in use to take Tinct. [Senna?]
He had taken a bitter Infusion with some spirit
& wine in it. Some of the Diueretics were since
added, viz. Dauc. silv & mustard ---


Asafœtida was taken, in pretty large quantity,
alongst with Zingib. & rubigo Ferri in pills:
but his stomach has since agreed better with



[Page 3]

g. guiac instead of the Asaf.


About a fortnight ago He had a goutish
pain of his Heel after which he has been
rather better. After it left him he tried a syna¬
pism
to the Ankles, which gave much pain
without much effect - garlic was next
put to his Soles without giving him pain; &
he passed a better night, having had four hours
sleep.


Still however he is in the Chair all night
& has frequent returns of the stifling & fits.


His Appetite is not so good as it was, but
He rather ate too much a few days ago in
my house -- & he takes Madeira or Rum &
water as in health.


His Pulse is but little quickened, skin cool.
urine not scanty, with brick dust sediment.
His Legs are a little swelled. Upon motion
thro' a Room he is very breathless.


He goes out in the Chaise daily (unless
this severe weather has prevented him)



[Page 4]

& he has sometimes slept in the Carriage.
He is always better when there is cheer¬
full Company with him.


He has a Blister left with him, either
to apply to the Ankle or between the shoulders
as he shall be prevailed with.


I have been very apprehensive of a Watery
Collection in the Thorax; yet wou'd not
despair of his getting some respite and a
a proper fit of the gout be produced.


Your Opinion & directions will be very
agreeable to, Dr Dr,
your most obedt. Servt.
A. Stevenson


His nephew told me that the
best night he has had was after
drinking near two bottles of Claret.



[Page 5]

P.S. 15 Jan –


The post was gone when my Letter was
finished & as there is none on Saty. I have
kept it till today - but have not heard
from Walkinshaw - When Sandy Miller
comes to Edr in a few Days, he will
wait upon you –


I suppose you have heard of P. Wilsons
observations of the late cold -
on the Night between Tuesd & Wedy.
the Termr. sunk to [13?]½ below 0 at
the observatory - next night to 14
when hung on a tree -& to 23 lying
in the snow.

On the sole of my Window at Nine that mor¬
ning it was [4?] below 0

yrs
A.S.



[Page 6]


To
Doctor William Cullen
Professor of Physic
Edinburgh


Dr Stevenson
C Millar of Walkinshaw
Janry. 1780.
X. p. 145

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