The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:1283] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Mr John Crawford (Crauford, Crawford of Doonside, of Dunside) (Patient) / 4? June? 1776? / (Outgoing)
Letter from Cullen concerning the case of Mr Crawford. Undated, but its reply dates it at as the 4th of June, 1776.
- 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 | 1283 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/380 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 4? June? 1776? |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Letter from Cullen concerning the case of Mr Crawford. Undated, but its reply dates it at as the 4th of June, 1776. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:387] |
Case of Mr Crauford [Crawford] of Doonside who is being treated for gout. |
7 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:626] | Patient | Mr John Crawford (Crauford, Crawford of Doonside, of Dunside) |
| [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 | Ayr (Air) | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | inferred | |
| Mentioned / Other | Bath | South-West | England | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
I am favoured with yours concerning Mr Craw¬
ford & shall give you the best answer I can.
I am clear that the case is entirely gouty but in what
manner it affects the stomach I am not clear. By the
frequency of the ↑Pulse↑ (for 82 is more than natural), by the
high colour of his urine, & by his feelings on the pres¬
sure of his stomach I suspect that the Stomach is
affected with some Phlogosis, I do not say Inflam¬
mation. This view of the case gives a good deal of
difficulty for it in some measure excludes us from all
those warm medicines which we commonly think neces¬
sary for defending the stomach & pushing it to the
extremities. I think the pain which he had in the
side was entirely in the muscles & does not lead me to
suspect either his Lungs or his Liver; tho in a person
who has for a long time lived full the last is always
to be suspected but not certainly from the symptoms
[Page 2]
you mention, even with the pain on the top of his shoul¬
der. I think the ailment was purely a rheumatic
that is an inflammatory affection of the muscles on the
right side of the Thorax & your treatment by bleeding
& blistering was very proper & your success confirms me
in my opinion & I hope that the affection of the
side is now out of the question.
The advice I have now to offer is that he shall
use a cold infusion of the Bark without the addition
of other bitter or of any aromatic, & if you pleaser pre¬
pared in the manner directed below. This he may take
in one or two ounces for a dose & two or three times a day
as you shall find it agree with him. But let every
dose be moderately acidulated with Elixir vitrioli ↑acidum↑. This
is the medicine which we can most safely use for resto¬
ring his appetite but it will be very necessary to join
to it fresh air & gentle exercise. This I hope will not
now be interrupted by the pain of his side. You must
therefore as he bears it increase the measure of his
[Page 3]
exercise & as soon as he can be found to bear it I
should think a journey of some length the most promi¬
sing remedy for him. He may direct it to Bath as
well as in any other way & the Bath Doctors will
advise him to try their waters, but unless all suspicion
of any feverish habit be entirely removed I shall think
a great deal of caution necessary in trying Bath water.
With the remedies mentioned whether he be at home
or abroad an attention to his belly is very necessary.
You seem to be entirely of the same opinion, & I
have only to say that the Oleum Ricini is preferable
to every warmer medicine.
With respect to his Diet there might be some dif¬
ficulty but while his appetite limits the quantity
I would give him whatever kind of light animal
food he likes best. Upon my notion of the state of his
stomach, all kinds of strong drink might seem im¬
proper but his habit absolutely require the continuance
of wine; only, let it be a little diluted tho not so far
[Page 4]
as to be cold to his stomach. Even his Gin Punch may
at times be allowed if not very strong.
These are my views at present & they will at least
serve to direct your observation so as to confirm, or reject
them. When you find any thing to this purpose to write
me y Mr C. & you may depend upon the utmost at¬
tention from this & Dear Sir
Diplomatic Text
I am favoured with yours concerning Mr Craw¬
ford & shall give you the best answer I can.
I am clear that the case is entirely gouty but in what
manner it affects the stomach I am not clear. By the
frequency of the ↑Pulse↑ (for 82 is more than natural), by the
high colour of his urine, & by his feelings on the pres¬
sure of his stomach I suspect that the Stomach is
affected with some Phlogosis, I do not say Inflam¬
mation. This view of the case gives a good deal of
difficulty for it in some measure excludes us from all
those warm medicines which we commonly think neces¬
sary for defending the stomach & pushing it to the
extremities. I think the pain which he had in the
side was entirely in the muscles & does not lead me to
suspect either his Lungs or his Liver; tho in a person
who has for a long time lived full the last is always
to be suspected but not certainly from the symptoms
[Page 2]
you mention, even with the pain on the top of his shoul¬
der. I think the ailment was purely a rheumatic
that is an inflammatory affection of the muscles on the
right side of the Thorax & your treatment by bleeding
& blistering was very proper & your success confirms me
in my opinion & I hope that the affection of the
side is now out of the question.
The advice I have now to offer is that he shall
use a cold infusion of the Bark without the addition
of other bitter or of any aromatic, & if you pleaser pre¬
pared in the manner directed below. This he may take
in one or two ounces for a dose & two or three times a day
as you shall find it agree with him. But let every
dose be moderately acidulated with Elixir vitrioli ↑acidum↑. This
is the medicine which we can most safely use for resto¬
ring his appetite but it will be very necessary to join
to it fresh air & gentle exercise. This I hope will not
now be interrupted by the pain of his side. You must
therefore as he bears it increase the measure of his
[Page 3]
exercise & as soon as he can be found to bear it I
should think a journey of some length the most promi¬
sing remedy for him. He may direct it to Bath as
well as in any other way & the Bath Doctors will
advise him to try their waters, but unless all suspicion
of any feverish habit be entirely removed I shall think
a great deal of caution necessary in trying Bath water.
With the remedies mentioned whether he be at home
or abroad an attention to his belly is very necessary.
You seem to be entirely of the same opinion, & I
have only to say that the Oleum Ricini is preferable
to every warmer medicine.
With respect to his Diet there might be some dif¬
ficulty but while his appetite limits the quantity
I would give him whatever kind of light animal
food he likes best. Upon my notion of the state of his
stomach, all kinds of strong drink might seem im¬
proper but his habit absolutely require the continuance
of wine; only, let it be a little diluted tho not so far
[Page 4]
as to be cold to his stomach. Even his Gin Punch may
at times be allowed if not very strong.
These are my views at present & they will at least
serve to direct your observation so as to confirm, or reject
them. When you find any thing to this purpose to write
me y Mr C. & you may depend upon the utmost at¬
tention from this & Dr Sir
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