The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:1080] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Mr John Goodsir / Regarding: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) (Patient) / 30 January 1781 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'For Mr Bethune'. Cullen apologises to his surgeon (John Goodsir) for not replying immediately: he has been out of town. He ascribes David Bethune's sight problems to the blood being 'thrown too much upon his head', and advises using leeches again and continuing the issue. He also discusses diet and laxatives for his stomach ailments.
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- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
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Facsimile
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[Page 1]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 1080 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/13/134 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 30 January 1781 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'For Mr Bethune'. Cullen apologises to his surgeon (John Goodsir) for not replying immediately: he has been out of town. He ascribes David Bethune's sight problems to the blood being 'thrown too much upon his head', and advises using leeches again and continuing the issue. He also discusses diet and laxatives for his stomach ailments. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:260] |
Case of Mr David Bethune of Balfour who consulted Cullen previously over stomach complaints (See Case 34). Now also has an eye problem, head-pains, abdominal pains and increasing weakness. |
20 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1301] | Addressee | Mr John Goodsir |
| [PERS ID:11] | Patient | Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) |
| [PERS ID:1301] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Mr John Goodsir |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
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 | Largo | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
For Mr Bethune. ✍
Your letter of the 27th. came to hand Yesterday but being
out of Town I could not Answer it in Course –
When I wrote last I intended soon after to have written again
but was not averse to have another report before I should do it
I am sorry to find we have yet had so little effect on Mr. Bs.
Complaints, but I hope the Continuation of the Tincture may do a
great deal to mend his stomach & this will mend all his
other Complaints. In the mean time I am still of opinion that
the blood is thrown too much upon his head & that this is
the Cause of his imperfect sight, & therefore I would again pro¬
pose the same application of Leeches as before & if this mild
weather has not made the issue discharge better I would let
this heal up & put a fresh one behind his shoulder. I would
have the white mustard Continued at lest once if not twice a day
& I am hope it will serve instead of other Laxatives. I am certain
air & Exercise would be of service to Mr. Bethune & therefore
join with you in urging it. As Mr. B. has felt no effects in
any difference of Diet I cannot urge any in particular, but
this I am certain of that a full diet is by no means fit for
him & particularly at Supper
If Mr. B– find so much relief in the night from a
Mouthful of Brandy I have no objection to it, but I think
you have advised rightly in bidding him take the Tincture of
the Bark instead of the plain spirit
Diplomatic Text
For Mr Bethune. ✍
Your letter of the 27th. came to hand Yesterday but being
out of Town I could not Answer it in Course –
When I wrote last I intended soon after to have written again
but was not averse to have another report before I should do it
I am sorry to find we have yet had so little effect on Mr. Bs.
Complaints, but I hope the Continuation of the Tincture may do a
great deal to mend his stomach & this will mend all his
other Complaints. In the mean time I am still of opinion that
the blood is thrown too much upon his head & that this is
the Cause of his imperfect sight, & therefore I would again pro¬
pose the same application of Leeches as before & if this mild
weather has not made the issue discharge better I would let
this heal up & put a fresh one behind his shoulder. I would
have the white mustard Continued at lest once if not twice a day
& I am hope it will serve instead of other Laxatives. I am certain
air & Exercise would be of service to Mr. Bethune & therefore
join with you in urging it. As Mr. B. has felt no effects in
any difference of Diet I cannot urge any in particular, but
this I am certain of that a full diet is by no means fit for
him & particularly at Supper
If Mr. B– find so much relief in the night from a
Mouthful of Brandy I have no objection to it, but I think
you have advised rightly in bidding him take the Tincture of
the Bark instead of the plain spirit
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