The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:642] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Sir John Cathcart (Patient) / 28 September 1782 / (Outgoing)
Reply 'For Sir J[ohn] Cathcart', who has already been treated by a Dr Cambell and his assistants. An enclosed letter for 'yourself and Dr Campbell' explaining that in case Sir John wanted to read the main letter, there was nothing in it on the nature of his disease or of 'the event to be expected', but that this was briefly detailed in the addition.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 4 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
[Page 4]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 642 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/15/127 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 28 September 1782 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | Enclosure(s) present |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply 'For Sir J[ohn] Cathcart', who has already been treated by a Dr Cambell and his assistants. An enclosed letter for 'yourself and Dr Campbell' explaining that in case Sir John wanted to read the main letter, there was nothing in it on the nature of his disease or of 'the event to be expected', but that this was briefly detailed in the addition. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:960] |
Case of Sir John Cathcart whose spitting of blood implies a fatal consumptive condition. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2988] | Patient | Sir John Cathcart |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:336] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Ivie Campbell |
| [PERS ID:542] | Other Physician / Surgeon | Mr John Bannerman |
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 |
Normalized Text
Sir. John Cathcart
Dear Sir
I have diligently perused your full
and distinct account of Sir John Cathcarts complaints
and must observe that under a variety of circumstances
in the course of Sir Johns complaints Dr Campbell &
his assistants have employed the most judicious and
promising remedies and it discourages my attempts to
find that these same remedies have not the same effects
as before and also that Sir John does not bear them So
well as he did formerly. However we must by no means
give up our attempts. I would wish to continue the Sal
diureticus but you may sometimes change it for the simple
alkaline either mild or caustic; the latter in what broth he
takes and the former to what strength he can bear it in an
infusion of Juniper berries. Though I do not think that
Sir John will bear much purging or that we can attempt
the disease in that way yet I should think it very proper
to keep his belly open and therefore from time to time as
[Page 2]
Dr Campbell and you shall think him able to bear it
I would give a moderate dose of Jalap and Calomel.
This will be the more necessary if you employ the medicin[e]
I am now to propose. From the effects of the accidental
sweating which happened to Sir John in June last and
from ↑the↑ good effects we have offen ed had from sweating in
such cases I am for your trying a dose of Dovers powder.
You may begin with a moderate dose of 20 or 25 grains
and if you find that Sir John bears it well you will after¬
wards increase it as you think proper. I think it best to
give this medicine in the morning laying the patient in
a flannel shirt and in blankets and keeping ↑him↑ in bed for the
whole of the day. This remedy has often been usefull
and I think it is almost the only resource you have in
this Case. I have frequently found benefit from Issues
putt in below the knees but it was in cases more purely
anasarcous. However the trial can hardly do any harm.
I have no change to propose in Sir Johns diet but I
believe the gin and water will always do better than any
[Page 3]
kind of wine but I think you may consult his own
taste. The use of the flesh brush is certainly very
proper but I am for using it especially in the morning
the using it at night is neither so safe nor so effectual
Please offer my best Compliments to Dr. Campbell
and to Mr Bannerman if he is of your party. Believe
me to be with great regard
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servant
William Cullen
Edinburgh 28th. September
1782
[Page 4]
This for yourself and Dr Campbell
In case Sir John Cathcart should desire to
see my letter I have said nothing in it concerning the
nature of the disease or the event to be expected but
I think it my duty to you to say a little of both here.
I think there is in this case a very general hydropic
Disposition and a tendency to pour out serum into every
cavity I think it was even poured into the brain in June
last. Tho his Asthma shews something spasmodic I have
often known that to be with water in the thorax and I be¬
lieve there has always been some in Sir Johns. The Ana¬
sarca has always been evident and now the Ascites is
now no less so. Such an universal affection I have
known recovered and in this case I think you must
expect the worst. However I am clear that no attempt
that can be safely made is to be omitted.
Diplomatic Text
Sir. J. Cathcart
Dear Sir
I have diligently perused your full
and distinct account of Sir John Cathcarts complaints
and must observe that under a variety of circumstances
in the course of Sir Johns complaints Dr Campbell &
his assistants have employed the most judicious and
promising remedies and it discourages my attempts to
find that these same remedies have not the same effects
as before and also that Sir John does not bear them So
well as he did formerly. However we must by no means
give up our attempts. I would wish to continue the Sal
diureticus but you may sometimes change it for the simple
alkaline either mild or caustic; the latter in what broth he
takes and the former to what strength he can bear it in an
infusion of Juniper berries. Though I do not think that
Sir John will bear much purging or that we can attempt
the disease in that way yet I should think it very proper
to keep his belly open and therefore from time to time as
[Page 2]
Dr Campbell and you shall think him able to bear it
I would give a moderate dose of Jalap and Calomel.
This will be the more necessary if you employ the medicin[e]
I am now to propose. From the effects of the accidental
sweating which happened to Sir John in June last and
from ↑the↑ good effects we have offen ed had from sweating in
such cases I am for your trying a dose of Dovers powder.
You may begin with a moderate dose of 20 or 25 grains
and if you find that Sir John bears it well you will after¬
wards increase it as you think proper. I think it best to
give this medicine in the morning laying the patient in
a flannel shirt and in blankets and keeping ↑him↑ in bed for the
whole of the day. This remedy has often been usefull
and I think it is almost the only resource you have in
this Case. I have frequently found benefit from Issues
putt in below the knees but it was in cases more purely
anasarcous. However the trial can hardly do any harm.
I have no change to propose in Sir Johns diet but I
believe the gin and water will always do better than any
[Page 3]
kind of wine but I think you may consult his own
taste. The use of the flesh brush is certainly very
proper but I am for using it especially in the morning
the using it at night is neither so safe nor so effectual
Please offer my best Compliments to Dr. Campbell
and to Mr Bannerman if he is of your party. Believe
me to be with great regard
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servt.
William Cullen
Edinr. 28th. Septr.
1782
[Page 4]
This for yourself and Dr Campbell
In case Sir John Cathcart should desire to
see my letter I have said nothing in it concerning the
nature of the disease or the event to be expected but
I think it my duty to you to say a little of both here.
I think there is in this case a very general hydropic
Disposition and a tendency to pour out serum into every
cavity I think it was even poured into the brain in June
last. Tho his Asthma shews something spasmodic I have
often known that to be with water in the thorax and I be¬
lieve there has always been some in Sir Johns. The Ana¬
sarca has always been evident and now the Ascites is
now no less so. Such an universal affection I have
known recovered and in this case I think you must
expect the worst. However I am clear that no attempt
that can be safely made is to be omitted.
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