Cullen

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

 

[ID:2139] From: Dr Robert Menzies (of Dura ) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) (Patient) / 29 January 1782 / (Incoming)

Letter from Robert Menzies, concerning the case of Mr Bethune, who is still suffering from wind and spasmodic pains in the stomach and bowels, despite taking Hartfell Water and other remedies. Menzies has examined his eyes, and found 'a white Opake spot' on each cornea. He wonders if 'Electricity done in the Gentlest way' may be able to treat this. The letter is to be delivered to Cullen by Henry Lindsay (the patient's nephew).

Facsimile

There are 3 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 2139
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/1214
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date29 January 1782
Annotation None
TypeAuthorial original
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter from Robert Menzies, concerning the case of Mr Bethune, who is still suffering from wind and spasmodic pains in the stomach and bowels, despite taking Hartfell Water and other remedies. Menzies has examined his eyes, and found 'a white Opake spot' on each cornea. He wonders if 'Electricity done in the Gentlest way' may be able to treat this. The letter is to be delivered to Cullen by Henry Lindsay (the patient's nephew).
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:260]
Case of Mr David Bethune of Balfour who consulted Cullen previously over stomach complaints (See Case 34). Now also has an eye problem, head-pains, abdominal pains and increasing weakness.
20


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:830]AuthorDr Robert Menzies (of Dura )
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:11]PatientMr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour)
[PERS ID:830]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Robert Menzies (of Dura )
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:5375]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMr Henry Lindsay (Harry; Lindsay Bethune; Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1789, Bethune of Kilconquhar and Balfour)

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Kilconquhar Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Hartfell Spa Moffat Borders Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Killconquhar January 29th 1782
Dear Sir


I came here yesterday to inquire for Mr Bethune
who I found still distressed with his stomach Complaints. As you
know his case already so well, I need only inform you of his
State since I saw him Last & ask your advice with regard
to what may further be done for his relief. He is drinking
hartfield spaw water which does not disagree with him only
he feels it a strong astringent to Obviate which he has recourse
to Rhubarb at times & Other times to Daffy's Elixir
So much air is generated when his food is digesting that when he
cannot get it easily up it
brings on Straitness & painfull
Spasmodic twitches in his
Stomach & bowels. If you approve
of it I was proposeing to give him a tea spoon full of Magnesia vitrolata with his Rhubarb; or in a Glass of water, Barley
Cinnamon water or peppermint as he pleases at any time
when he is much distressed, and lessen the quantity he takes
of the Hartfield Spaw or Dilute it with a third part of
Common water. If you think the Calcined Magnesia proper Mr
Lindsay who is to deliver this to you had better send it by the
Carrier. I think it may reabsorb fixed air that is generated in
the process of Digestion
& help to keep him easy in his belly.
He sometimes feels a Giddiness but I understand it is mostly
when his Stomach is uneasy so that it may proceed from



[Page 2]

that Cause. I have examined his Eyes carefully, as he finds
his Sight failing much
. Under the inside of each cornea there
is a white Opake spot to be seen & I think it reather thicker
and more Spread than when I last saw it. He still keeps
the Issue running. But do you think that any benefit
may be had from Electricity done in the Gentlest way to
to prevent or retard the further increase of these. As you
know he can already so well I need add no more –


but that I am Dear Sir
your Most Obedient
& very humble Servant
Robert Menzies



[Page 3]


Doctor Cullen professor M. P
Edinburgh


Dr Menzies
Concerning [Doug?] (↑David↑) Bethune Esqr
January 1782.
V. XIII p. 275.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Killconquhar Janr 29th 1782
Dear Sir


I came here yesterday to inquire for Mr Bethune
who I found still distressed with his stomach Complaints. As you
know his case already so well, I need only inform you of his
State since I saw him Last & ask your advice with regard
to what may further be done for his relief. He is drinking
hartfield spaw water which does not disagree with him only
he feels it a strong astringent to Obviate which he has recourse
to Rhubarb at times & Other times to tinctura Sennæ Composit.
So much air is generated when his food is digesting that when he
cannot get it easily up it
brings on Straitness & painfull
Spasmodic twitches in his
Stomach & bowels. If you approve
of it I was proposeing to give him a tea spoon full of Mag¬
nesia vita
with his Rhubarb; or in a Glass of water, Barley
Cinnamon water or peppermint as he pleases at any time
when he is much distressed, and lessen the quantity he takes
of the Hartfield Spaw or Dilute it with a third part of
Common water. If you think the Calcined Magnesia proper Mr
Lindsay who is to deliver this to you had better send it by the
Carrier. I think it may reabsorb fixed air that is generated in
the process of Digestion
& help to keep him easy in his belly.
He sometimes feels a Giddiness but I understand it is mostly
when his Stomach is uneasy so that it may proceed from



[Page 2]

that Cause. I have examined his Eyes carefully, as he finds
his Sight failing much
. Under the inside of each cornea there
is a white Opake spot to be seen & I think it reather thicker
and more Spread than when I last saw it. He still keeps
the Issue running. But do you think that any benefit
may be had from Electricity done in the Gentlest way to
to prevent or retard the further increase of these. As you
know he can already so well I need add no more –


but that I am Dr Sir
your Most Obednt
& very humble Servt
Robert Menzies



[Page 3]


Doctor Cullen professor M. P
Edinburgh


Dr Menzies
C [Doug?] (↑David↑) Bethune Esqr
Janry. 1782.
V. XIII p. 275.

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