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My Son Alexander aged 15 last May
has been for about two years past a good deal distressed
with a Breathlessness

When about 12 Months old he was seized with
that complaint in his head and face, I think they call an
Erysipilas - He was then very lusty, and it was thought
proper to bleed him frequently - He also took a great
deal of physic, and his ordinary drink was Cream of
Tartar whey - The Disorder still continuing Dr Stirling
of Stirling was called who advised to discontinue the
bleedings, as also the purging medecines, and ordered
him frequent infusions of bark - This disorder grew
gradually better tho th he was three or four years
old before it was entirely removed, During the time
mentioned he had not the smallest Symptom of his
present complaint, So far as can be recollected he
did not complain of it till after he had the Chin cough

For about twelve months past or more he has
had frequent returns of this breathlessness, and without any
appearance of his having catched cold, and particularly
this Summer - When upon him he rather Sleeps sitting
than lying in bed - He sleeps in a {illeg} room of my
house in the Country down in the Kerse about a
mile below Falkirk - Many nights of late he has
been forced to rise in much distress - generally after
being about an hour or two up, the violence of his
trouble goes off, when he returns to bed or Sleeps till
morning in an easy chair - He was within these
few months four or five weeks with his friends in
Bo:ness sent on purpose for a change of air and to
be diverted, and during that time he had no
Complaint - He has also been at Glasgow twice

Your opinion if it can be formed from the
imperfect account I have given is requested, and
if you please I will wish for it by a line directed
for me at Carronbank, near Falkirk, I am
respectfully Sir

Dr Cullen

Mr Cowan
June 1781
XIII. p 87