The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:2001] From: Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Commissioner James Buchanan (Provost Buchanan; formerly of Drumpellier) (Patient) / 20 April 1781 / (Incoming)
Letter from Alexander Stevenson concerning the case of Commissioner Buchanan. A note used as the wrapper mentions that the patient's mercurial course (indicated with the astrological symbol for mercury) 'must not be spoke of so as to be understood by every reader' in Cullen's reply.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 6 images for this document.
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Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 2001 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/1078 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Incoming |
| Date | 20 April 1781 |
| 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 Alexander Stevenson concerning the case of Commissioner Buchanan. A note used as the wrapper mentions that the patient's mercurial course (indicated with the astrological symbol for mercury) 'must not be spoke of so as to be understood by every reader' in Cullen's reply. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1376] |
Case of Provost (Commissioner) Buchanan who suffers from weakness and whose gout is exacerbated 'by the popery mob'. |
5 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:563] | Author | Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Addressee | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:84] | Patient | Commissioner James Buchanan (Provost Buchanan; formerly of Drumpellier) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:563] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:743] | Other | Mrs Anna Cullen |
| [PERS ID:4022] | Other | Cullen (Cullen family (as a whole)) |
| [PERS ID:4023] | Other | Mr Thomas French |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Glasgow | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Destination of Letter | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Mentioned / Other | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Mentioned / Other | Mr French's house | Glasgow | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
I am sorry to trouble you
about your old friend & late patient
Mr Commissioner Buchanan --
About two years ago He consulted you
at Edinburgh, when He was in a State very
similar to the present illness --
For Months past he has borne Exercise ill,
was languid & ill coloured - & liable to
Hæmorrhoidal discharges - such as He
had when you prescrib'd for him - yet
it did not lay him under the necessity of
confining himself to the House.
In this Situation an incident made it
proper to take mercury, which He did while
[Page 2]
He was last at Edinbr. He returned
from thence two months ago; his colour of
a yellow pale, and his Limbs weak -
The Pulse a little quickened - Thirst, with
little Appetite. He took to a simple
nourishing diet, got Bark with Infusion of Roses, & the foecal Evacuation secured
by Tincture of bitter Rhubarb or Rochelle Salt.
The Stairs became too fatiguing, & brought
on palpitations, faintness & Sickness,
so that He left off taking airings in the Chaise
from the dread of climbing the Stairs.
He then took Bitters in which Tincture of Mars
was drop'd & tiring of these He Swallowed
a Dose of Pills daily of Peruvian Bark Extract
Ground Peruvian Bark with
Steel.
At times He complained of pains of his Bowels
[Page 3]
with Sickness, for which hot toddy was
recommended to him, & it gave him releif.
You may remember a small Hernia that
sometimes protruded above the Navel; it
has not been out for a year; nor does it
seem to interfere in the Case.
In hopes that the Gout might form in the
foot, a more full & Cordial Diet was used.
Sometimes within these ten Days, the pains of
his Bowels were very uneasy & went off
with a twitch in the Toe; at length the
Toe inflamed & left his bowels easy, &
He became more hearty -- He used a
warm Julep into which occasionally
a little brandy was put, & Wine more freely.
He is now on the first floor of Mr French's
House, for the conveniency of getting out
when He shall be able. There was not so
[Page 4]
good Opportunity to observe his Water
as at home; it was then rather pale.
His colour has approach'd to that of the
Jaundice, but neither the Urine nor Stools
give any Mark of it, or of the Liver being
affected; unless the Hæmorrhoidal Affection
proceeds from thence.
Yesterday & to day he has had little pain
anywhere; but was restless last Night & some
what dispirited to day: but desirous to go
out in a close Chair.
His Pulse to ↑day↑ was full enough,- under 80 when
in Bed - & 84 when in the Chair.
I wish you may be able to bring him
up again & very sincerely
[Page 5]
20 April
Dear Dr
In your Answer, the mercurial Course
must not be Spoke of so as to be under¬
stood by every reader - I hope it will not
be inconvenient to send it by return of post
for I am truly very anxious about him.
I had hopes of seeing you in Edinburgh,
about this time, when I cou'd have talked
to you more fully on this & some other
Subjects - but Inoculation & other business
prevent me. I can not look for any
Medical Intelligence from you at
this Season. I hope Mrs Cullen & all
your family are well. Adieu Dear Dr
[Page 6]
Dr Cullen
Edinburgh
Dr Stevenson Concerning
Commissioner Buchanan
April 20 1781.
Vol. 13. p 19.
Diplomatic Text
I am sorry to trouble you
about your old friend & late patient
Mr Commr Buchanan --
About two years ago He consulted you
at Edinbr, when He was in a State very
similar to the present illness --
For Months past he has borne Exercise ill,
was languid & ill coloured - & liable to
Hæmorrhoidal discharges - such as He
had when you prescrib'd for him - yet
it did not lay him under the necessity of
confining himself to the House.
In this Situation an incident made it
proper to take ☿, which He did while
[Page 2]
He was last at Edinbr. He returned
from thence two months ago; his colour of
a yellow pale, and his Limbs weak -
The Pulse a little quickened - Thirst, with
little Appetite. He took to a simple
nourishing diet, got Bark with Infus Ro¬
sarum, & the foecal Evacuation secured
by Tinct. Rhei am. or Sal Rochel.
The Stairs became too fatiguing, & brought
on palpitations, faintness & Sickness,
so that He left off taking airings in the Chaise
from the dread of climbing the Stairs.
He then took Bitters in which Tinct. Mart
was drop'd & tiring of these He Swallowed
a Dose of Pills daily of Extr Cort Per
Pulv. --. ---. with
rubig. Ferri.
At times He complained of pains of his Bowels
[Page 3]
with Sickness, for which hot toddy was
recommended to him, & it gave him releif.
You may remember a small Hernia that
sometimes protruded above the Navel; it
has not been out for a year; nor does it
seem to interfere in the Case.
In hopes that the Gout might form in the
foot, a more full & Cordial Diet was used.
Sometimes within these ten Days, the pains of
his Bowels were very uneasy & went off
with a twitch in the Toe; at length the
Toe inflamed & left his bowels easy, &
He became more hearty -- He used a
warm Julep into which occasionally
a little brandy was put, & Wine more freely.
He is now on the first floor of Mr French's
House, for the conveniency of getting out
when He shall be able. There was not so
[Page 4]
good Opportunity to observe his Water
as at home; it was then rather pale.
His colour has approach'd to that of the
Jaundice, but neither the Urine nor Stools
give any Mark of it, or of the Liver being
affected; unless the Hæmorrhoidal Affection
proceeds from thence.
Yesterday & to day he has had little pain
anywhere; but was restless last Night & some
what dispirited to day: but desirous to go
out in a close Chair.
His Pulse to ↑day↑ was full eno',- under 80 when
in Bed - & 84 when in the Chair.
I wish you may be able to bring him
up again & very sincerely
[Page 5]
20 Apr.
Dr Dr
In your Answer, the ☿l Course
must not be Spoke of so as to be under¬
stood by every reader - I hope it will not
be inconvenient to send it by return of post
for I am truly very anxious about him.
I had hopes of seeing you in Edinbr,
about this time, when I cou'd have talked
to you more fully on this & some other
Subjects - but Inoculation & other business
prevent me. I can not look for any
Medical Intelligence from you at
this Season. I hope Mrs Cullen & all
your family are well. Adieu Dr Dr
[Page 6]
Dr Cullen
Edinbr
Dr Stevenson C
Commissioner Buchanan
April 20 1781.
Vol. 13. p 19.
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