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Mr. Archd. Stevenson, Minr. at St Madois, four miles to
the eastward of this place, aged 64 years, of a pretty full
habit, was for many years distressed with rheumatism
in his head & neck; some years ago a cantharides issue
was opened between the shoulders, from which he reaped
great benefit, & it has been kept open ever since till
within these few weeks, that he let it dry up, in con¬
sequence of what I am just going to mention.

He was returning from a journey to the West country four
weeks ago, when an eruption was observed about the
issue, which also occupied the neck and head, and since
has spread over the whole body; in some places of
the body it appears exactly like a blister from cantha¬
rides; in other parts of the body inflamed pimples of
different sizes appear, more in the form of blotches than
of regular pustules; some few of them indeed suppurate;
but for most part, while what they contain is in an ichor¬
ous & watery state, the cuticle, which is very tender, upon
the smallest touch comes off leaving the parts below
very raw: the skin is a good deal itchy which occasions
his rubbing it when the cuticle gives way as I have men¬
tioned. He did not observe any feverish disorder previous

The eruption has dried on his legs; while it was at its
highth there one ancle & foot were somewhat swelled,
but now the swelling is totally gone. The blood let
on the 19th ulto was sizy. He, by his brothers (Mr. James
Stevenson many years Surgeon in India) & my advice
has taken some doses of sal Glauber. & since has been
using cort. Peruv. & vitriolic acid & has paid attention
to diet -- mild applications have been employed
for such parts of the skin as were raw. His rest has
been but indifferent & some times he has got an
opiate at bedtime. His brotr & I wish to have your
advice by the return of the post adressed to me
here. I am

Doctor William Cullen Physician
Professor of Medicine in the
University of
Edinburgh