The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:2218] From: Mr Alexander Low (Law?) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mr Alexander Low (Law?) (Patient) / 28 May 1782 / (Incoming)
Letter from Alexander Low, concerning his own case. He mentions that he has 'rec[eive]d y[ou]r box with Pills & used them as directed' since the earlier letter by 'Auchenlee' (presumably James Cleland of Auchenlie). Low had a rather painful and gruesome experience with the perpetual issue put in by his surgeon, which, upon examination by Mr Meek and Dr wardrop, revealed the 'saw parfitely thick with the flies, which had in this maner been applyed to me for upwards of 2 Months' and occasioned burning hot fever and want of rest.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 4 images for this document.
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[Page 2]
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[Page 4]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 2218 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/1290 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Incoming |
| Date | 28 May 1782 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Letter from Alexander Low, concerning his own case. He mentions that he has 'rec[eive]d y[ou]r box with Pills & used them as directed' since the earlier letter by 'Auchenlee' (presumably James Cleland of Auchenlie). Low had a rather painful and gruesome experience with the perpetual issue put in by his surgeon, which, upon examination by Mr Meek and Dr wardrop, revealed the 'saw parfitely thick with the flies, which had in this maner been applyed to me for upwards of 2 Months' and occasioned burning hot fever and want of rest. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1132] |
Case of Mr Low [Law] who has a serious chest complaint. |
6 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:195] | Author | Mr Alexander Low (Law?) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Addressee | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:195] | Patient | Mr Alexander Low (Law?) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:4879] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr |
| [PERS ID:873] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Wardrop |
| [PERS ID:4866] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr James Cleland |
| [PERS ID:4876] | Other | Mr Meek |
| [PERS ID:4877] | Other | Mr Fortesset |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Auchenlea (Auchenlie) | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Destination of Letter | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Mentioned / Other | Watershaw | Western Isles | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
Auchenlee 28 May 1782 --
Sir
Since Auchenlee wrote you I received the box
with Pills & used them as directed, from which reaped
great Benefite, about 3 weeks ago discovered that
a vast quaintity of Defluction had Loosened from
my Breast & Lodged a Litle higher then the foremer
on my right sid, above where the Issue is now fixed
& can both feel & hear it gumling every motion
I make, some of the defluction which I spitt
up has a rotten or putried Teast & of a yellowish
Collour, at other times is perfetely sweet & of a
milk or Cream Collour, I have a great wheesling
on my breast my surgeon treated me with
the utmost neglected I shall not enlarge in his
behaviour in applying the Issue, as I hope to be
able to give you that in person a few weeks hence
I Complained as you know of being Exceeding sick
since march & severly atacked with pains in
pasing or making water, all which I ascribed
to be the naturall cause of my complaint, the pain
[Page 2]
which I suffered from the issue is not to be discribed
as it keeped me in a Constant burning fever, I however
thought it was the effects of all Issues, but by mere
accident made a quet different discovery, a few days
after Auchenlee wrote you stating my situation
Mr. Meek & a Doctor wardrop on their way to
waterschaw to visit old Fortesset who has been
very bad during the winter gave this familly a
call in the by going, being in the Room when they
Came in & at that time in great pain & agonie
with the Issue, I naturally asked if that was the
effects of Issues, he very obligingly Examined it &
Expressed his utmost surprise on finding the saw
parfitely thick with the flies, which had ↑in↑ this ↑maner↑ been
applyed to me for upwards of 2 Months, no wonder tho
I was keept in a burning hott fever & deprived of my
rest said Gentleman ordered the plaster with the saw
to be taken of, at bed time a plaster of healing saw to
be applyed in its place, & in the day time to apply the
Issue saw spread Exceeding thine, which being done the
discharge is much greater & attended with no pain, by
this happy discovery & the effects of your Pills I enjoy
rest & find myself drawing in Consequence to a little strength
[Page 3]
I have a sweling in my fett & leges which goes of in
the night time & returns in the morning, there is also
a great heat & Itching in my leges, as also sometimes
a great heat in my hands I hope from the maner
in which you may order the Issue &ce to be Conducted
that a large & free discharge may take place & in
such a way that the defluction will soon be drain'd
from me & a perfite restoration of health follow
as I can obtain mares milke here would you
approve my drinking it, if so please mention the
quantity to be used daily, all this familly Tender
you their respectfull Compliments And I
remain with unalterable Regard & Esteem
Sir
Your Most obedient humble Servant
Alexand: Low
P: S: Auchenlee beges you'l be pleased
to lett him know howe that Poor man Banlie
is
[Page 4]
NB I have a hoarseness, which Continus with me, notwithstanding the
quaintity of defluction about my breast & heanging Loose as already
mentioned I spitt Less up then uswall, could any thing be given that
would roll it, might Come freer away when Coaching, I had 8 days ago
a Touch of vomiting when brought up green - bitter stuff Like gaule
To
Doctor Wm Cullen
Edinburgh
Mr Low
May 1782.
V XIV. p. 68
Diplomatic Text
Auchenlee 28 May 1782 --
Sir
Since Auchenlee wrote you I recd. ye. box
with Pills & used them as directed, from which reaped
great Benefite, about 3 weeks ago discovered that
a vast quaintity of Defluction had Loosened from
my Breast & Lodged a Litle higher then the foremer
on my right sid, above where the Issue is now fixed
& can both feel & hear it gumling every motion
I make, some of the defluction which I spitt
up has a rotten or putried Teast & of a yellowish
Collour, at other times is perfetely sweet & of a
milk or Cream Collour, I have a great wheesling
on my breast my surgeon treated me with
the utmost neglected I shall not enlarge in his
behaviour in applying the Issue, as I hope to be
able to give you that in person a few weeks hence
I Complained as you know of being Exceeding sick
since march & severly atacked with pains in
pasing or making water, all which I ascribed
to be ye. naturall cause of my complaint, the pain
[Page 2]
which I suffered from the issue is not to be discribed
as it keeped me in a Constant burning fever, I however
thought it was the effects of all Issues, but by mere
accident made a quet different discovery, a few days
after Auchenlee wrote you stating my situation
Mr. Meek & a Doctor wardrop on their way to
waterschaw to visit old Fortesset who has been
very bad during the winter gave this familly a
call in the by going, being in the Room when they
Came in & at that time in great pain & agonie
with the Issue, I naturally asked if that was the
effects of Issues, he very obligingly Examined it &
Expressed his utmost surprise on finding the saw
parfitely thick with the flies, which had ↑in↑ this ↑maner↑ been
applyed to me for upwards of 2 Months, no wonder tho
I was keept in a burning hott fever & deprived of my
rest sd. Gentleman ordered the plaster with ye. saw
to be taken of, at bed time a plaster of healing saw to
be applyed in its place, & in the day time to apply the
Issue saw spread Exceeding thine, which being done the
discharge is much greater & attended with no pain, by
this happy discovery & the effects of your Pills I enjoy
rest & find myself drawing in Consequence to a little strength
[Page 3]
I have a sweling in my fett & leges which goes of in
the night time & returns in the morning, there is also
a great heat & Itching in my leges, as also sometimes
a great heat in my hands I hope from the maner
in which you may order the Issue &ce to be Conducted
that a large & free discharge may take place & in
such a way that the defluction will soon be drain'd
from me & a perfite restoration of health follow
as I can obtain mares milke here would you
approve my drinking it, if so please mention the
quantity to be used daily, all this familly Tender
you their respectfull Compliments And I
remain with unalterable Regard & Esteem
Sir
Your Most obt. h St.
Alexand: Low
P: S: Auchenlee beges you'l be pleased
to lett him know howe that Poor man Banlie
is
[Page 4]
NB I have a hoarseness, which Continus with me, notwithstanding ye.
quaintity of defluction abt. my breast & heanging Loose as already
mentioned I spitt Less up then uswall, could any thing be given that
would roll it, might Come freer away when Coaching, I had 8 days ago
a Touch of vomiting when brought up green - bitter stuff Like gaule
To
Doctor Wm Cullen
Edinburgh
Mr Low
May 1782.
V XIV. p. 68
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