Cullen

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

 

[ID:177] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr / Regarding: Mr Andrew Reid (Patient) / 8 August 1781 / (Outgoing)

Reply 'For Mr Reid', sent via John Carmichael, presumably to his medical practitioner in Italy. Cullen writes that the disease consists 'chiefly of a seminal weakness', and also a weakness of the neck of the bladder. He recommends the use of Uva Ursi 'which I suppose every Apothecary of Tuscany can furnish or procure for him'. Carmichael sent it on to Leghorn and thence to Trieste and Antwerp, after Mr Reid: see Doc [ID:2076] .

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 177
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/14/63
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date8 August 1781
Annotation None
TypeMachine copy
Enclosure(s) Enclosure(s) present
Autopsy No
Recipe Yes
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply 'For Mr Reid', sent via John Carmichael, presumably to his medical practitioner in Italy. Cullen writes that the disease consists 'chiefly of a seminal weakness', and also a weakness of the neck of the bladder. He recommends the use of Uva Ursi 'which I suppose every Apothecary of Tuscany can furnish or procure for him'. Carmichael sent it on to Leghorn and thence to Trieste and Antwerp, after Mr Reid: see Doc [ID:2076] .
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1368]
Case of Andrew Reid in Antwerp who has is passing some unidentified substance in his urine which indicate a bladder disorder. He sends Cullen a sample of the 'powder' he is passing.
5


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2903]AddresseeDr
[PERS ID:149]PatientMr Andrew Reid
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2903]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr
[PERS ID:150]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMr John Carmichael

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 certain
Destination of Letter Leghorn (Livorno) Italy Italy Europe inferred
Therapeutic Recommendation Italy Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Tuscany Italy Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
For Mr Reid


I have very carefully considered the case communi¬
cated by Mr Carmichael and shall be happy to be of service
to any friend of his.


The Case is a little obscure and difficult but I shall
give the best judgement and advice upon it I can and in
the first place I am clearly of opinion that there is
very little ground or none at all to suspect any remains of
venereal affection
.


The disease seems to me to consist chiefly in a se¬
minal weakness
but also in a weakness of all the parts
about
the neck of the bladder which produces a constant
discharge of mucus
with the Urine. It is indeed also
to be observed that this discharge may lead to a suspicion
of some gravellish or, as we speak, a nephritic affection.
but I am ↑indeed↑ of opinion that this is not the case but I thought
it fair to mention such a possibility that Mr Reid may
for the future may observe and mark any symptoms which
may point out more clearly the nature of his ailments




[Page 2]


In the view that I have of these at present I think he
should continue the use of the cold bath. But it is in view
of its his weakness which the cold bath will certainly mend
that I advise it, for if any distinct symptoms of gravel
should appear I think the cold bath would not be proper.


He may likewise continue the riding recommended
to him but it should be with the caution of avoiding
fatigue and of hurting the parts chiefly affected. I am
of opinion that going in a single horse chaise which he
drives himself would be both a safer and better exercise
for him.


For correcting his bilious complaints the Surest re¬
medy will be his remaining for some times in a north¬
ern climate and a winter even in Italy will be ↑of↑ great
service to him. But in the mean time to prevent re¬
turns he should, as experience has taught him, attend to
the state of his belly and prevent every degree of Cos¬
tiveness
. It is probable that experience has already
instructed him with respect to the medicines best




[Page 3]


suited to his constitution, but if he is not perfectly well
accommodated in that way I can recommend to him a me¬
dicine which I find very well adapted to most persons la¬
bouring under bilious complaints and I have given the
prescription in a paper apart.


In every view I have of Mr Reids ailments and parti¬
cularly for mending every part of his weakness I recom¬
mend to him the use of a medicine which is named Uva
Ursi
and which I suppose every Apothecary of Tuscany
can furnish or procure for him. The powder of the leaves
is to be taken at first to the quantity of half a dram
twice a day but by degrees the doses are to be increased
both in quantity and number till he can take a dram
of his powder three times a day. The powder may be
taken either mixed with a little water or it may be
made into a bolus with a little Simple Syrup and swal¬
lowed in a wafer. The proper time for taking the
doses is when the Stomach is most empty and that is
about an hour before breakfast dinner or supper.




[Page 4]


This medicine is to be continued for at least a month
at one time but then to be laid aside for two or three weeks
when again a Second course may be entered upon and that
sooner or later as the effects of the first trial shall direct.


When the Uva Ursi is laid aside, let Mr Reid enter
upon the use of Balsam Capivi in this manner. Put a tea
spoonfull or two of powdered Sugar into the bottom of a tea
cup, upon this drip forty drops of the balsam, stir it well
among the Sugar with the back of the tea spoon, then pour on
two or three table spoonfulls of water and stirring the whole
together Swallow it immediately. This is to be done every night
at bedtime for two or three weeks but the dose may be gradually
increased to Sixty drops.


During the use of these medicines Mr Reid should use
a light diet and without any meat at Supper. He may at
every meal drink a few glasses of red wine but must avoid the
least excess in Strong drink.


Being much in the fresh Air is good for him and lying
much abed or being much in warm chambers is very bad for him.

William Cullen
Edinburgh 8th. August
1781



[Page 5]
For Mr Reid

Take three ounces of the best Castor Oil and one drachm of the Edinburgh Pharmacopœia's Composite Senna Tincture. Mix and Label: Laxative Oil. A tablespoonful more of less to be taken for a dose in the morning so often as occasion requires, shaking the phial always very well before pouring out and swallowing the dose immediately after it is poured out.

W. C.

8th August
1781

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
For Mr Reid


I have very carefully considered the case communi¬
cated by Mr Carmichael and shall be happy to be of service
to any friend of his.


The Case is a little obscure and difficult but I shall
give the best judgement and advice upon it I can and in
the first place I am clearly of opinion that there is
very little ground or none at all to suspect any remains of
venereal affection
.


The disease seems to me to consist chiefly in a se¬
minal weakness
but also in a weakness of all the parts
about
the neck of the bladder which produces a constant
discharge of mucus
with the Urine. It is indeed also
to be observed that this discharge may lead to a suspicion
of some gravellish or, as we speak, a nephritic affection.
but I am ↑indeed↑ of opinion that this is not the case but I thought
it fair to mention such a possibility that Mr Reid may
for the future may observe and mark any symptoms which
may point out more clearly the nature of his ailments




[Page 2]


In the view that I have of these at present I think he
should continue the use of the cold bath. But it is in view
of its his weakness which the cold bath will certainly mend
that I advise it, for if any distinct symptoms of gravel
should appear I think the cold bath would not be proper.


He may likewise continue the riding recommended
to him but it should be with the caution of avoiding
fatigue and of hurting the parts chiefly affected. I am
of opinion that going in a single horse chaise which he
drives himself would be both a safer and better exercise
for him.


For correcting his bilious complaints the Surest re¬
medy will be his remaining for some times in a north¬
ern climate and a winter even in Italy will be ↑of↑ great
service to him. But in the mean time to prevent re¬
turns he should, as experience has taught him, attend to
the state of his belly and prevent every degree of Cos¬
tiveness
. It is probable that experience has already
instructed him with respect to the medicines best




[Page 3]


suited to his constitution, but if he is not perfectly well
accommodated in that way I can recommend to him a me¬
dicine which I find very well adapted to most persons la¬
bouring under bilious complaints and I have given the
prescription in a paper apart.


In every view I have of Mr Reids ailments and parti¬
cularly for mending every part of his weakness I recom¬
mend to him the use of a medicine which is named Uva
Ursi
and which I suppose every Apothecary of Tuscany
can furnish or procure for him. The powder of the leaves
is to be taken at first to the quantity of half a dram
twice a day but by degrees the doses are to be increased
both in quantity and number till he can take a dram
of his powder three times a day. The powder may be
taken either mixed with a little water or it may be
made into a bolus with a little Simple Syrup and swal¬
lowed in a wafer. The proper time for taking the
doses is when the Stomach is most empty and that is
about an hour before breakfast dinner or supper.




[Page 4]


This medicine is to be continued for at least a month
at one time but then to be laid aside for two or three weeks
when again a Second course may be entered upon and that
sooner or later as the effects of the first trial shall direct.


When the Uva Ursi is laid aside, let Mr Reid enter
upon the use of Balsam Capivi in this manner. Put a tea
spoonfull or two of powdered Sugar into the bottom of a tea
cup, upon this drip forty drops of the balsam, stir it well
among the Sugar with the back of the tea spoon, then pour on
two or three table spoonfulls of water and stirring the whole
together Swallow it immediately. This is to be done every night
at bedtime for two or three weeks but the dose may be gradually
increased to Sixty drops.


During the use of these medicines Mr Reid should use
a light diet and without any meat at Supper. He may at
every meal drink a few glasses of red wine but must avoid the
least excess in Strong drink.


Being much in the fresh Air is good for him and lying
much abed or being much in warm chambers is very bad for him.

William Cullen
Edinr. 8th. August
1781



[Page 5]
For Mr Reid


Ol. ricin. opt. ℥iij
Tinct. Senn. comp. Ph. Ed. ℥j
ℳ. Sig. Laxative Oil a table Spoon¬
ful more or less to be taken for a
dose in the morning so often as oc¬
casion requires; Shaking the phial
always very well before pouring out
and swallowing the dose immediately
after it is poured out

W. C.

8th August
1781

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