[Page 1]

I was duly favoured with yours respect¬
ing Dr Mutter your attention to whom his family
takes very kindly, as I do, now, and at all times,
your attention to me. --- Last night and this
day we think Dr Mutter has made some little
progress towards amendment. -- He articulated one
or two short syllables with some distinctness, and,
what is more obvious, the use of the right leg,
(tho' not that of the right arm) is a good deal
restored, for he {illeg} does not drag it
so much as formerly in moving from one room to
another, and, when sitting, he can lift if fairly up,
which, at first, he was quite incapable of doing.
He now appears much less oppressed than formerly;
He is chearful and patient; - and even disposed
to hope; all which is certainly in his favour.
His pulse has been generally under 60, - sometimes
under 50; -- his countenance natural, and never
suffused. --- Although these are the present circum¬

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stances, and although I prescribed at first the Volatile
Alcali on account of the extreme langour and oppression
at the time existing; yet I was still much disposed
with you to entertain the idea of local congestion,
and therefore urged the measure of containing the dis¬
charge of the Blistered part on the neck; and opposed
one measure proposed by some of Mr M-s friends, - name¬
ly Electricity; - as being too early --- Several years
ago in the case of a gentleman much resembling Mr M
in cons habit; & about the same age, and ↑long↑ subject to lethar¬
gie, or almost apoplectic attacks, I had occasion to see
the very happy effects of a perpetual - Blister in the neck,
which seemed to give an entire new turn to the paticular
state of health; but here the discharge was ade¬
quate to the effect supposed to be produced. for it be¬
came at last so copious, and troublesome, that it was
necessary to use various methods to restrain it. --- But
I beg your pardon. I have long been sensible that there
is no greater impertinence in medical correspondence and con¬
versation than the relating of cases; and, when I am guilty of
it, endeavour to be as short as possible.

DrM. went into the Garden, yesterday, and, these two days
past, I have even been proposing that he should ride out

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easily in a carriage - What do you say to this; and
how soon, in such a case, is the Electrical stroke
to be ventured on? - If he goes on mending in any
manner that is perceptible, it will no doubt be
best to pursue the same plan that has been follow¬
ed, which however I must say, has by no means
been accurate or persevering. -- He can
hardly be got to taste my medicine more
than once; which perhaps you'll think no
great loss, as you have always trusted [more?]
to external means in the Palsy --- He takes
however a little mustard seed every day; &
what with that & a dose of Andersons pills, which
he has taken twice, his belly is now regular &
easy. --- The Blister in the neck has been able to prevail
in getting another applied to the Crown of his head.
-- The Mustard has been frequently applied externally.

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To
Doctor Cullen
Physician
Edinburgh

✍
Dr Gilchrist Concerning
Dr Mutter
June 1780
V. XI. p.251