
The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:2249] From: Mr John Goodsir / To: Mr Henry Lindsay (Harry; Lindsay Bethune; Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1789, Bethune of Kilconquhar and Balfour) / Regarding: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) (Patient) / 8 June 1782 / (Incoming)
Letter from John Goodsir, sent to Henry Lindsay for forwarding to Cullen, concerning the case of Mr [David] Bethune. He apologises for a delay in writing because there is an outbreak of influenza 'Raging here'. Bethune's condition continues to deteriorate, and death seems to be imminent.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.

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Metadata
Field | Data |
---|---|
DOC ID | 2249 |
RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/1315 |
Main Language | English |
Document Direction | Incoming |
Date | 8 June 1782 |
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 John Goodsir, sent to Henry Lindsay for forwarding to Cullen, concerning the case of Mr [David] Bethune. He apologises for a delay in writing because there is an outbreak of influenza 'Raging here'. Bethune's condition continues to deteriorate, and death seems to be imminent. |
Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
Evidence of Commercial Posting | Yes |
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 ID | Role in document | Person |
---|---|---|
[PERS ID:1301] | Author | Mr John Goodsir |
[PERS ID:5375] | Addressee | Mr Henry Lindsay (Harry; Lindsay Bethune; Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1789, Bethune of Kilconquhar and Balfour) |
[PERS ID:11] | Patient | Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) |
[PERS ID:1301] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Mr John Goodsir |
[PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
[PERS ID:5375] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr Henry Lindsay (Harry; Lindsay Bethune; Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1789, Bethune of Kilconquhar and Balfour) |
[PERS ID:1] | Supplemental Addressee | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
Places linked to this document
Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place of Writing | Largo | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred | |
Destination of Letter | George Square | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
I intended to have wrote
you yesterday, but having hardly a moment
to spare /the Influenza is Raging here with
great violence/ and so little to say in Mr.
Bethunes favour that I saw no ground for
report till night before last after taking the
Ol: Ricini [&?] Tinct: Senn about Eleven oClock
which procured a motion in two hours after
and two or three more afterwards this was
so uncommon to what has happends for
months past that I expected some change to
the better might follow, but am sorry to say
the contrary has taken place for every Sym¬
ptom is daily worse if possible – the Reaching
is now excited by almost every thing he takes
but remarkably so after he took the Spt Vitriol
dulcis which has prevented him trying it again
[Page 2]
The Stranguary has not been so urgent for days
past so he has not tried the Gum Arabic
& Nitre at present – The night he got the
Castor Oil /Thursday/ he would not take
the Laudenam but had a miserable night
the night following however he got the Laud¬
enam & past a better night than he had done
for weeks, yet nothwithstanding, this day has
been as unhappy as any – His total aversion
to food, sickness & faintishness, his strength and
spirits still more impaird ↑constant pain↑ frequent & feeble
pulse, frequent reaching and drought, indicate
in Mr. Bethun's present case his look'd for
change to be at no great distance – He was so
feeble this night that he could not be moved
out of his bed – If any thing worth remarking
occurs I shall write you immediately –
With very much respect I am Dear Sir
[Page 3]
Henry Lindsay Esqr.
Georges Square
Edinburgh
June 8th – 82
Mr Goodsir
Concerning Bethune of Balfour.
June 1782
V. XIV. p. 82.
Diplomatic Text
I intended to have wrote
you yesterday, but having hardly a moment
to spare /the Influenza is Raging here with
great violence/ and so little to say in Mr.
Bethunes favour that I saw no ground for
report till night before last after taking the
Ol: Ricini [&?] Tinct: Senn about Eleven oClock
which procured a motion in two hours after
and two or three more afterwards this was
so uncommon to what has happends for
months past that I expected some change to
the better might follow, but am sorry to say
the contrary has taken place for every Sym¬
ptom is daily worse if possible – the Reaching
is now excited by almost every thing he takes
but remarkably so after he took the Spt Vitriol
dulcis which has prevented him trying it again
[Page 2]
The Stranguary has not been so urgent for days
past so he has not tried the Gum Arab:
& Nitre at present – The night he got the
Castor Oil /Thursday/ he would not take
the Laudenam but had a miserable night
the night following however he got the Laud¬
enam & past a better night than he had done
for weeks, yet nothwithstanding, this day has
been as unhappy as any – His total aversion
to food, sickness & faintishness, his strength and
spirits still more impaird ↑constant pain↑ frequent & feeble
pulse, frequent reaching and drought, indicate
in Mr. Bethun's present case his look'd for
change to be at no great distance – He was so
feeble this night that he could not be moved
out of his bed – If any thing worth remarking
occurs I shall write you immediately –
With very much respect I am Dear Sir
[Page 3]
Henry Lindsay Esqr.
Georges Square
Edinburgh
June 8th – 82
Mr Goodsir
C. Bethune of Balfour.
June 1782
V. XIV. p. 82.
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