Cullen

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

 

[ID:240] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch) / Regarding: (Unnamed 'Lady' related to Dr John Gilchrist at Dumfries.) (Patient) / 29 December 1781 / (Outgoing)

Letter to Dr John Gilchrist concerning 'the ministry of a mind diseased' in which Cullen readily waives his fee.

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[Page 1]


 

[Page 2]


 
 

Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 240
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/14/126
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date29 December 1781
Annotation None
TypeMachine copy
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter to Dr John Gilchrist concerning 'the ministry of a mind diseased' in which Cullen readily waives his fee.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1373]
Case of an unnamed female patient with menstrual and uterine problems which are thought to be affecting he mental state; a friend and poor relation of Dr John Gilchrist at Dumfries.
5


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:115]AddresseeDr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch)
[PERS ID:4316]Patient (Unnamed 'Lady' related to Dr John Gilchrist at Dumfries.)
[PERS ID:115]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Cullen's House / Mint Close Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Dumfries Borders Scotland Europe inferred

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Dr Gilchrist Concerning a Lady
My dear Friend


You use me very ill in thinking that
one hundred part of the preface or apology you make, was neces¬
sary. It would mortify me extremely if you could think me either so
loving of money or sparing of labour as to require so much introduc¬
tion to a request in favors of any friend of yours, or of any person in
the situation you mention. I assure you I am willing but find it
very difficult to give you any assistance. Of all the difficulties I
meet with I find the greatest to be the minstering to a mind diseased.


{illeg}[have?] found it so in this case for otherwise the many judicious
[reme?]dies you have employed would have been more effectual.


The only remedies untried are cold bathing and Uva Ursi. The
first I think not only safe but expect it will be usefull but let it be
brought on by degrees. Take one part of boiling and four parts of
[spring?] or pump well water that is of a steady temperature for the
[first application?] and every second day by withdrawing one eight
{illeg} boiling water you will bring her soon to bear the whole quite
{illeg} [the?] easiest and in this case perhaps the best way of applying
[the cold?] water is by pouring it from some height upon the small
of the back
{illeg} while she stands ↑inclined↑ in a tub to receive the water which
runs down upon her limbs. But I have perhaps said more than
necessary to you and shall only add that this remedy is likely to
be more effectual as it goes with her own mind.


With respect to the other remedy I have mentioned, the Uva



[Page 2]

each dose and continuing the use of it for some weeks


Whether from the medicine or as more probably from the disease
if costiveness comes on it is extremely necessary to remove it and [the?]
most proper medicine in my opinion is the Oleum vicini, Rhubarb
is the least proper. Flores Sulphuris is particularly fit and S. {illeg}
Cream of Tartar or Glaubus Salt given par reprises answers very well


Gentle Exercise in a carriage or even on horseback might be of
service but walking I cannot admit of beyond what is absolutely
necessary. Even for this it is very necessary to take [some measures?]
for preventing either the one or the other prolapsus.


I have found benefit from Balsam Capivi but if it [proves?]
heating it must be let alone. I have found no benefit from M{illeg}
and cannot well expect it from a medicine so little soluble in our [fluids?]


Of all things I find external heat the most hurtfull in such
cases and it is therefore most industriously to be avoided.


It is common in such cases to employ a nourishing diet and
the women are fond of it but I always find it hurtfull as the [weakness?]
and seeming laxity is always accompanied with irritability.


Opiates may be necessary but they are pretty [hurtfull?]
I leave you to choose the smallest evil.


I have now said all I can and earnestly wish it may be useful
Tho I must on occasion take fees I do not desire nor take them on every
occasion and I would have you believe that I have really more
pleasure in making a cure than [in?] taking a fee. believe me to be

December 29 1781

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Dr Gilchrist C a Lady
My dear Friend


You use me very ill in thinking that
one hundred part of the preface or apology you make, was neces¬
sary. It would mortify me extremely if you could think me either so
loving of money or sparing of labour as to require so much introduc¬
tion to a request in favors of any friend of yours, or of any person in
the situation you mention. I assure you I am willing but find it
very difficult to give you any assistance. Of all the difficulties I
meet with I find the greatest to be the minstering to a mind diseased.


{illeg}[have?] found it so in this case for otherwise the many judicious
[reme?]dies you have employed would have been more effectual.


The only remedies untried are cold bathing and Uva Ursi. The
first I think not only safe but expect it will be usefull but let it be
brought on by degrees. Take one part of boiling and four parts of
[spring?] or pump well water that is of a steady temperature for the
[first application?] and every second day by withdrawing one eight
{illeg} boiling water you will bring her soon to bear the whole quite
{illeg} [the?] easiest and in this case perhaps the best way of applying
[the cold?] water is by pouring it from some height upon the small
of the back
{illeg} while she stands ↑inclined↑ in a tub to receive the water which
runs down upon her limbs. But I have perhaps said more than
necessary to you and shall only add that this remedy is likely to
be more effectual as it goes with her own mind.


With respect to the other remedy I have mentioned, the Uva



[Page 2]

each dose and continuing the use of it for some weeks


Whether from the medicine or as more probably from the disease
if costiveness comes on it is extremely necessary to remove it and [the?]
most proper medicine in my opinion is the Oleum vicini, Rhubarb
is the least proper. Flores Sulphuris is particularly fit and S. {illeg}
Cream of Tartar or Glaubus Salt given par reprises answers very well


Gentle Exercise in a carriage or even on horseback might be of
service but walking I cannot admit of beyond what is absolutely
necessary. Even for this it is very necessary to take [some measures?]
for preventing either the one or the other prolapsus.


I have found benefit from Balsam Capivi but if it [proves?]
heating it must be let alone. I have found no benefit from M{illeg}
and cannot well expect it from a medicine so little soluble in our [fluids?]


Of all things I find external heat the most hurtfull in such
cases and it is therefore most industriously to be avoided.


It is common in such cases to employ a nourishing diet and
the women are fond of it but I always find it hurtfull as the [weakness?]
and seeming laxity is always accompanied with irritability.


Opiates may be necessary but they are pretty [hurtfull?]
I leave you to choose the smallest evil.


I have now said all I can and earnestly wish it may be useful
Tho I must on occasion take fees I do not desire nor take them on every
occasion and I would have you believe that I have really more
pleasure in making a cure than [in?] taking a fee. believe me to be

Decr 29 1781

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