The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:5059] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Mrs Mary Maxwell (Riddell) (of Kirkconnel) (Patient) / 30? May 1785? / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'For Mrs Maxwell'. Cullen is 'of opinion that a Gouty disposition is the foundation of the whole [her various ailments]' and prescribes a diaphoretic solution, the recipe for which is enclosed. This letter appears to be addressed, more generally, to an unknown physician. In letter 6292, however, Cullen addresses John Gilchrist and states he 'had not the smallest hint of your being concerned in the Case otherwise I should have addressed himself more particularly to you' in prior correspondence.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 6 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
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[Page 6]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 5059 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/18/42 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 30? May 1785? |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine scribal copy |
| Enclosure(s) | Enclosure(s) present |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'For Mrs Maxwell'. Cullen is 'of opinion that a Gouty disposition is the foundation of the whole [her various ailments]' and prescribes a diaphoretic solution, the recipe for which is enclosed. This letter appears to be addressed, more generally, to an unknown physician. In letter 6292, however, Cullen addresses John Gilchrist and states he 'had not the smallest hint of your being concerned in the Case otherwise I should have addressed himself more particularly to you' in prior correspondence. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1783] |
Case of Mrs Mary Maxwell of Kirkconnel who has various symptoms includings sweats, restlessness and pains in her arms and shoulders. |
4 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2852] | Patient | Mrs Mary Maxwell (of Kirkconnel) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2839] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Sir Stuart Thriepland |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Cullen's House / Mint Close | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
| Destination of Letter | Dumfries | Borders | Scotland | Europe | inferred | |
| Mentioned / Other | Kirkconnel | Borders | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
For Mrs. Maxwell
I had the honour of both your letters at
the same time yesterday but could not answer
them till I had some Consultation with Sir
Stewart Threipland which I could not properly
have till to day.
After Consulting with him and consi¬
dering the whole history of Mrs. Maxwells
complaints I am clearly of opinion that a Gouty
disposition is the foundation of the whole tho
it appears in an irregular and unusual form
but I hope sufficient to Save her from any
internal or dangerous attack. It was well
that your Second letter came along with the
first for from the first I would have appre¬
hended some danger, but from the Second
I think the present attack of going off and
[Page 2]
if mild weather Set in I expect She will very
soon be tolerably well, so that we may get her
not only out of bed, but even into the open air
and into proper exercise, the only circumstance
which can establish her health. In the mean
time we must proceed in this by degrees and
during the cold weather which prevailed last
week She did right in keeping much a bed.
But when the weather is milder and her
pains and ailments will allow of it I advise
her to get out of bed so much as She can
not indeed to Sit up very long at one time but
to Sit and lie frequently by turns. The surest
means of avoiding profuse Sweats which tho
not to be rashly checked should not either be
much encouraged. I think the drafts of Salt of
Tartar and lemon juice do this and therefore
[Page 3]
unless She finds them necessary to relieve some
disorder of the Stomach I would wish to have them
laid aside altogether. For any disorder of her
Stomach and which is commonly connected with
her headach I think a gentle Vomit taken
now and then to be the most proper remedy.
At present I would advise no medicine but one
prescribed on other page which I think may
be useful in preventing the Gout from Settling
upon any internal part and for the external
parts I would allow it to take its course and I am
afraid that upon some occasion too much pains
have been taken to in Mrs. Maxwells Case
to relieve the pains of particular joints. I will
therefore advise nothing of this kind at present
and I would have her trust entirely to a Regimen
for finishing the attack She has now suffered
since the beginning of last Winter.
[Page 4]
With respect to her Regimen in considering
the fullness of her habit and the nature of her Com¬
plaints I suspect the She takes too much nou¬
rishment I would by no means put her upon milk
and Vegetables but I would certainly moderate the
nourishment She takes at present. Egg affords
much nourishment and taken both at breakfast
and Supper seems to me too much and I would
have the quantity diminished. She does not seem
to take too much Animal food at dinner but
with the strong broth She takes sometime
before it, it may be too much and I would
have her once in two or three days make a
a dinner without any Solid Animal food at
all. I cannot be very particular but in
general I recommend to Mrs. Maxwells discre¬
tion to try what moderating the quantity of
her nourishment will do. The quantity of wine
[Page 5]
She takes seems to be moderate, but still I sus¬
pect it may be too much for her and I would try
to diminish it.
After the Erysipelas a dose or two of Rochelle
Salts was not improper, but much purging
and especially with cooling Salts I would not
think proper but it is very proper to keep
the belly regular and I hope this may be
done by Magnesia with the management
of which I suppose She is well acquainted.
The whole of this letter is in concert with
Sir Stewart Threipland who desires to present
Compliments. When any thing occurrs further
in the Case in which [can?] be further useful
you may to depend upon the punctual attention of
[Page 6]
For Mrs. Maxwell of Kirkconnel
Take two drachms each of Gum Guaiacum and double refined white Sugar Grind together into a fine powder, then add one and a half ounces of mucilage of thick Gum Arabic Grind again carefully and gradually pour in one and a half ounces each of Volatile elixir of guaiac and Tartar Emetic, one ounce of nutmeg Water, three ounces each of Simple Cinnamon Water and Peppermint Water. Mix. Label: Diaphoretic Solution. A table Spoonful to be taken every night at bed time taking care always to Shake the phial well before pouring out.
Diplomatic Text
For Mrs. Maxwell
I had the honour of both your letters at
the same time yesterday but could not answer
them till I had some Consultation with Sir
Stewart Threipland which I could not properly
have till to day.
After Consulting with him and consi¬
dering the whole history of Mrs. Maxwells
complaints I am clearly of opinion that a Gouty
disposition is the foundation of the whole tho
it appears in an irregular and unusual form
but I hope sufficient to Save her from any
internal or dangerous attack. It was well
that your Second letter came along with the
first for from the first I would have appre¬
hended some danger, but from the Second
I think the present attack of going off and
[Page 2]
if mild weather Set in I expect She will very
soon be tolerably well, so that we may get her
not only out of bed, but even into the open air
and into proper exercise, the only circumstance
which can establish her health. In the mean
time we must proceed in this by degrees and
during the cold weather which prevailed last
week She did right in keeping much a bed.
But when the weather is milder and her
pains and ailments will allow of it I advise
her to get out of bed so much as She can
not indeed to Sit up very long at one time but
to Sit and lie frequently by turns. The surest
means of avoiding profuse Sweats which tho
not to be rashly checked should not either be
much encouraged. I think the drafts of Salt of
Tartar and lemon juice do this and therefore
[Page 3]
unless She finds them necessary to relieve some
disorder of the Stomach I would wish to have them
laid aside altogether. For any disorder of her
Stomach and which is commonly connected with
her headach I think a gentle Vomit taken
now and then to be the most proper remedy.
At present I would advise no medicine but one
prescribed on other page which I think may
be useful in preventing the Gout from Settling
upon any internal part and for the external
parts I would allow it to take its course and I am
afraid that upon some occasion too much pains
have been taken to in Mrs. Maxwells Case
to relieve the pains of particular joints. I will
therefore advise nothing of this kind at present
and I would have her trust entirely to a Regimen
for finishing the attack She has now suffered
since the beginning of last Winter.
[Page 4]
With respect to her Regimen in considering
the fullness of her habit and the nature of her Com¬
plaints I suspect the She takes too much nou¬
rishment I would by no means put her upon milk
and Vegetables but I would certainly moderate the
nourishment She takes at present. Egg affords
much nourishment and taken both at breakfast
and Supper seems to me too much and I would
have the quantity diminished. She does not seem
to take too much Animal food at dinner but
with the strong broth She takes sometime
before it, it may be too much and I would
have her once in two or three days make a
a dinner without any Solid Animal food at
all. I cannot be very particular but in
general I recommend to Mrs. Maxwells discre¬
tion to try what moderating the quantity of
her nourishment will do. The quantity of wine
[Page 5]
She takes seems to be moderate, but still I sus¬
pect it may be too much for her and I would try
to diminish it.
After the Erysipelas a dose or two of Rochelle
Salts was not improper, but much purging
and especially with cooling Salts I would not
think proper but it is very proper to keep
the belly regular and I hope this may be
done by Magnesia with the management
of which I suppose She is well acquainted.
The whole of this letter is in concert with
Sir Stewart Threipland who desires to present
Compliments. When any thing occurrs further
in the Case in which [can?] be further useful
you may to depend upon the punctual attention of
[Page 6]
For Mrs. Maxwell of Kirkconnel
℞ Gum Guaiac.
Sacchar. alb. puriss. @ ʒij
Terito simul in pulverem tenuem cui adde
Mucilag G. Arab. crass. ℥iſs
Terito iterum diligenter et paulatim affunde
Elix. Guaiac. Volat. ℥iſs
Vin Antimon. @ ℥iſs.
Aq. nux moschat. ℥j
Cinnam Simpl
Menthe piperita @ ℥iij
ℳ Sig. Diaphoretic Solution a table Spoonful
to be taken every night at bed time taking care
always to Shake the phial well before pouring
out.
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