Cullen

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

 

[Case ID:555]: Case of Mrs Thomson of Charlton who suffers from sleeplessness and abdominal pains described as hypochondriasis. She is later suspected of having bladder stones and has a paralysis in the arm.

Documents in this case

9 document(s) found in this case.

DOC IDSummaryDate
[DOC ID:3807] 
Reply, 'For Mrs Thompson of Charleton'3 May 1776
 
[DOC ID:1304] 
Unsigned document titled 'State of Mrs Thomsons Case'. She has been 'often subject to pain in the temples of her head', and more recently 'a periodical Chilling in her feet which came on about 2 or 3 in the morning regularly'. Handwriting identifies author as the Dr Robert Menzies who attends her in later years.June 1776
 
[DOC ID:1586]  Linked to other Cases  
Letter from David Goodsir regarding treating Mrs Thomson of Charleton's bowel complaints with flannel wrappings, plasters and other medicines. He also updates Cullen on their old patient, Mr Henderson, who is 'Greatly recoverd, being no[w] able to walk about upon his limbs, and the Sensation very distinct, the Evacuations of Excriments and urine regular'.16 November 1778
 
[DOC ID:4343] 
Reply titled 'For Mrs Thomson - to Mr Goodsir'.. 'Yours of the 16th I did not think it necessary to answer till Mrs Thomson should return to Fife. She has no topical affection nor particular disease unless you will call it Hypochondriasis'. He advises the use of opiates to help her sleep, with laxatives.25 November 1778
 
[DOC ID:1725] 
Letter from David Goodsir concerning Mrs Thomson of Charleton, describing the extent of her paralytic symptoms in her arm, hand and legs. He suspects a calculus in the bladder, as she suffers from painful retention of urine: 'makeing her cry out so as to be heard thro' the whole house'. Her husband opposes the use of electricity to treat the paralysis in her arm.26 August 1779
 
[DOC ID:4499] 
Reply to 'Mr Goodsir C[concerning]. Mrs Thompson of Charlton',. Cullen says 'I think there is great reason to suspect a calculus in the bladder'. He provides advice on preparing dosage of Lixivium in beef broth. He advises against going to Bath or warm bathing, and wishes to know what Mr Thomson's objections are to the use of electricity in treating his wife's paralytic symptoms.31 August 1779
 
[DOC ID:1886]  Linked to other Cases  
Letter from David Goodsir, Leven, concerning the case of Mrs Thomson of Charleton: 'Lett it be observed I think Mrs Thomsons Intellects are much impaired.' She can now walk a little with assistance and can go out in a chaise, but her arm is still partly paralysed and her urinary tract complaints continue. The electricity has been used. Meanwhile, her husband is in a dangerous condition due to a leg fracture, now carious, and 'will by no means submitte to an amputation'.23 July 1780
 
[DOC ID:1917] 
Letter from Robert Menzies from Newton (Charleton, Fife), concerning the case of Mrs Thomson of Charleton, who is hemiplegic and suffers from urinary problems and ascites. Her brother Colonel St Clair is also concerned about her.21 September 1780
 
[DOC ID:1025] 
Reply 'Dr Menzies C[oncerning] Mrs Thomson of Charleton'26 September 1780
 

People involved in this case

8 found.

PERS IDFull Name
[PERS ID: 1] Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID: 1295] Dr David Goodsir
[PERS ID: 2124] Mr William Henderson
[PERS ID: 830] Dr Robert Menzies (of Dura )
[PERS ID: 2990] Colonel James St. Clair (Sinclair; of Dysart and Rosslyn)
[PERS ID: 621] Mr William Taitt (Tait)
[PERS ID: 831] Mrs Margaret Thomson (Thompson; of Charleton)
[PERS ID: 2232] Mr John Thomson (Thompson; of Charleton)

Unique Places linked to this Case

9 found.

TypeSpecific Place Village/Town/City (aka) Region Country Continent Confidence
SpecificCullen's House / Mint Close Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place Leven Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place Fife Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place Harrogate North-East England Europe certain
Place Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain
Place Bath South-West England Europe certain
Place Carron Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
SpecificCharleton House Colinsburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain

Places and role of place

16 found.

TypeRoleSpecific Place Village/Town/City (aka) Region Country Continent Confidence
SpecificPlace of WritingCullen's House / Mint Close Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlacePlace of Writing Leven Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
SpecificPlace of WritingCharleton House Colinsburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlacePlace of Writing Fife Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlaceDestination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlaceDestination of Letter Leven Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe inferred
SpecificDestination of LetterCharleton House Colinsburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe inferred
PlaceDestination of Letter Fife Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe inferred
PlaceTherapeutic Recommendation Bath South-West England Europe certain
PlaceTherapeutic Recommendation Harrogate North-East England Europe certain
PlaceMentioned / Other Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlaceMentioned / Other Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain
PlaceMentioned / Other Bath South-West England Europe certain
PlaceMentioned / Other Carron Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
SpecificMentioned / OtherCharleton House Colinsburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
PlaceMentioned / Other Fife Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain