Cullen

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

 

[ID:2504] From: Dr Colin Robertsone (Robertson) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Reverend Archibald Stevenson (of St Madoes) (Patient) / 2 September 1784 / (Incoming)

Letter from C. Robertsone, concerning the case of Archibald Stevenson, minister at St Madoes. Mr Stevenson suffers from a skin complaint which has spread over the whole body. In a postscript, Robertsone observes "that a distress, very like to Mr. Stevensons which the country people call a Blistered Rose, has been somewhat frequent in the Carse of Gowrie”.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 2504
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/1556
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date2 September 1784
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 C. Robertsone, concerning the case of Archibald Stevenson, minister at St Madoes. Mr Stevenson suffers from a skin complaint which has spread over the whole body. In a postscript, Robertsone observes "that a distress, very like to Mr. Stevensons which the country people call a Blistered Rose, has been somewhat frequent in the Carse of Gowrie”.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1691]
Case of the Revd. Archibald Stevenson, who has an eruption all over his body stemming from an issue applied to his shoulders to treat his rheumatism in his neck and head. He subsequently becomes weak with a flux.
9


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:2177]AuthorDr Colin Robertsone (Robertson)
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:3882]PatientReverend Archibald Stevenson (of St Madoes)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2177]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Colin Robertsone (Robertson)
[PERS ID:3883]Other Physician / SurgeonMr James Stevenson
[PERS ID:3883]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMr James Stevenson

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Perth Mid Scotland Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other India Asia certain
Mentioned / Other Carse of Gowrie Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other St Madoes Mid Scotland Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other West country Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain
Place of Handstamp Perth Mid Scotland Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Sir,


Mr. Archd. Stevenson, Minister at Saint Madois, four miles to
the eastward of this place, aged 64 years, of a pretty full
habit, was for many years distressed with rheumatism
in his head & neck; some years ago a cantharides issue
was opened between the shoulders, from which he reaped
great benefit, & it has been kept open ever since till
within these few weeks, that he let it dry up, in con¬
sequence of what I am just going to mention.


He was returning from a journey to the West country four
weeks ago, when an eruption was observed about the
issue, which also occupied the neck and head, and since
has spread over the whole body; in some places of
the body it appears exactly like a blister from cantha¬
rides
; in other parts of the body inflamed pimples of
different sizes appear, more in the form of blotches than
of regular pustules; some few of them indeed suppurate;
but for most part, while what they contain is in an ichor¬
ous & watery state
, the cuticle, which is very tender, upon
the smallest touch comes off leaving the parts below
very raw: the skin is a good deal itchy which occasions
his rubbing it when the cuticle gives way as I have men¬
tioned. He did not observe any feverish disorder previous



[Page 2]

to the eruption & even now notwithstanding the sore state
of his body his pulse does not exceed 80.


The eruption has dried on his legs; while it was at its
highth there one ancle & foot were somewhat swelled,
but now the swelling is totally gone. The blood let
on the 19th ultimo was sizy
. He, by his brothers (Mr. James
Stevenson many years Surgeon in India) & my advice
has taken some doses of Glauber's salts & since has been
using Peruvian bark & vitriolic acid & has paid attention
to diet -- mild applications have been employed
for such parts of the skin as were raw. His rest has
been but indifferent
& some times he has got an
opiate at bedtime. His brother & I wish to have your
advice by the return of the post adressed to me
here. I am


Sir, Your very repectful pupil
& Most Obedient Servant
C. Robertsone
Perth 2 September 1784


I should have observed that a distress, very like to Mr. Stevensons
which the country people call a Blistered Rose, has
been somewhat frequent in the Carse of Gowrie near
his house.


Enclosed Two Guineas




[Page 3]


Doctor William Cullen Physician
Professor of Medicine in the
University of
Edinburgh


The Revd Mr Stevenson
September 1784.
V. XVI. p. 159.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Sir,


Mr. Archd. Stevenson, Minr. at St Madois, four miles to
the eastward of this place, aged 64 years, of a pretty full
habit, was for many years distressed with rheumatism
in his head & neck; some years ago a cantharides issue
was opened between the shoulders, from which he reaped
great benefit, & it has been kept open ever since till
within these few weeks, that he let it dry up, in con¬
sequence of what I am just going to mention.


He was returning from a journey to the West country four
weeks ago, when an eruption was observed about the
issue, which also occupied the neck and head, and since
has spread over the whole body; in some places of
the body it appears exactly like a blister from cantha¬
rides
; in other parts of the body inflamed pimples of
different sizes appear, more in the form of blotches than
of regular pustules; some few of them indeed suppurate;
but for most part, while what they contain is in an ichor¬
ous & watery state
, the cuticle, which is very tender, upon
the smallest touch comes off leaving the parts below
very raw: the skin is a good deal itchy which occasions
his rubbing it when the cuticle gives way as I have men¬
tioned. He did not observe any feverish disorder previous



[Page 2]

to the eruption & even now notwithstanding the sore state
of his body his pulse does not exceed 80.


The eruption has dried on his legs; while it was at its
highth there one ancle & foot were somewhat swelled,
but now the swelling is totally gone. The blood let
on the 19th ulto was sizy
. He, by his brothers (Mr. James
Stevenson many years Surgeon in India) & my advice
has taken some doses of sal Glauber. & since has been
using cort. Peruv. & vitriolic acid & has paid attention
to diet -- mild applications have been employed
for such parts of the skin as were raw. His rest has
been but indifferent
& some times he has got an
opiate at bedtime. His brotr & I wish to have your
advice by the return of the post adressed to me
here. I am


Sir, Your very repectful pupil
& Mt Obt Servt.
C. Robertsone
Perth 2 Septr 1784


I should have observed that a distress, very like to Mr. Stevensons
which the country people call a Blistered Rose, has
been somewhat frequent in the Carse of Gowrie near
his house.


Enclosed Two Guineas




[Page 3]


Doctor William Cullen Physician
Professor of Medicine in the
University of
Edinburgh


The Revd Mr Stevenson
Septr 1784.
V. XVI. p. 159.

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