The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:1206] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Anonymous (Patient) / 1775? / (Outgoing)
Reply, giving directions for an unnamed female patient. Undated, corrected draft. Two marks on the last page suggest the mere testing out of a quill. Date based only upon current placing in archive box.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 1206 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/306 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 1775? |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, giving directions for an unnamed female patient. Undated, corrected draft. Two marks on the last page suggest the mere testing out of a quill. Date based only upon current placing in archive box. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:639] |
Case of an unnamed female patient with a 'spasmodic affection' of her limbs and other 'nervous' symptoms. |
1 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1486] | Patient | |
| [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 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
These are the measures that I especially depend
upon for the Lady's relief and I think there are no
internal medicines that can do any more than
palliate symptoms. I think that the frequent
use of Antispasmadic internal ↑& nervous↑ medicines has done
harm and at least must now render them very use¬
ess. The only medicine that as I think can now
be of service is Opium rendered more Diaph¬
retic by being joined with Ipecacuanha or an
Antimonial. There is to me no better form than
the Dovers Powder of which the Lady may take
from twenty to forty grains as suits her. Frequent¬
ly she may take it at bedtime to pallitate ordina¬
ry complaints, but the when pain & spasm are
more urgent, it would be better for her to take it
in a fuller dose in the morning lying a bed all day
to favour a gentle sweat
If this medicine is frequently employed it
will be necessary frequently to employ a
Laxative & one of the best if it can be had good
& especially if fr is the Oleum Ricini or what we
[Page 2]
call the Castor Oil. This if it can be had good &
especially as fresh drawn from the seeds, will in
a dose of half an ounce to an ounce prove an
agreable laxative. It is rendered also more agre¬
able by being mixed with a fourth par of Rum or
Brandy and it is best mixed by shaking the oil &
spirit together in a phial, a little before takeing
it.
If upon the return of any spasmodic affections
of the limbs, it shall be found that the application
of Vinegar moderates them I consent to its
use, but I would not advise it to be frequently
employed and I nor would raither advise nor would I
advice any solution of Opium, as both medicines
have a tendency to benumb the parts. I would prefer
the Linimentum Saponaceum sometimes by itself
& sometimes with an eight part of the quick lime
Spirit of Sal ammoniac
I dont expect any benefit from the use of the
Extractum Cicuta in this case
If the Lady can bear it and the weather ad¬
mits of it I should expect much benefit from frequent
[Page 2]
exercise in a carriage. There is very
There is very little said in the history of the
case that can lead me to direct a proper ↑particular↑ diet and
therefore I can only say in genearl that a mild and
moderate diet seems to be the most proper and
that a full ldiet and all acrid food is likely to do
much harm.
Diplomatic Text
These are the measures that I especially depend
upon for the Lady's relief and I think there are no
internal medicines that can do any more than
palliate symptoms. I think that the frequent
use of Antispasmadic internal ↑& nervous↑ medicines has done
harm and at least must now render them very use¬
ess. The only medicine that as I think can now
be of service is Opium rendered more Diaph¬
retic by being joined with Ipecacuanha or an
Antimonial. There is to me no better form than
the Dovers Powder of which the Lady may take
from twenty to forty grains as suits her. Frequent¬
ly she may take it at bedtime to pallitate ordina¬
ry complaints, but the when pain & spasm are
more urgent, it would be better for her to take it
in a fuller dose in the morning lying a bed all day
to favour a gentle sweat
If this medicine is frequently employed it
will be necessary frequently to employ a
Laxative & one of the best if it can be had good
& especially if fr is the Oleum Ricini or what we
[Page 2]
call the Castor Oil. This if it can be had good &
especially as fresh drawn from the seeds, will in
a dose of half an ounce to an ounce prove an
agreable laxative. It is rendered also more agre¬
able by being mixed with a fourth par of Rum or
Brandy and it is best mixed by shaking the oil &
spirit together in a phial, a little before takeing
it.
If upon the return of any spasmodic affections
of the limbs, it shall be found that the application
of Vinegar moderates them I consent to its
use, but I would not advise it to be frequently
employed and I nor would raither advise nor would I
advice any solution of Opium, as both medicines
have a tendency to benumb the parts. I would prefer
the Linimentum Saponaceum sometimes by itself
& sometimes with an eight part of the quick lime
Spirit of Sal ammoniac
I dont expect any benefit from the use of the
Extractum Cicuta in this case
If the Lady can bear it and the weather ad¬
mits of it I should expect much benefit from frequent
[Page 2]
exercise in a carriage. There is very
There is very little said in the history of the
case that can lead me to direct a proper ↑particular↑ diet and
therefore I can only say in genearl that a mild and
moderate diet seems to be the most proper and
that a full ldiet and all acrid food is likely to do
much harm.
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