The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:292] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) / Regarding: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) (Patient) / 20 March 1782 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'D. Bethune of Balfour'.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 292 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/14/181 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 20 March 1782 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | Enclosure(s) present |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'D. Bethune of Balfour'. |
| 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 ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:11] | Addressee | Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) |
| [PERS ID:11] | Patient | Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1307] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mrs Anne Bethune (of Balfour and Kilconquhar) |
| [PERS ID:5375] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr 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 | Cullen's House / Mint Close | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
| Destination of Letter | Kilconquhar House | Kilconquhar | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
D. Bethune of Balfour
I have the honour of yours and think
you have got a very good clerk for between you and your
clerk I understand your complaints as well as if they had been
described by a Doctor. I think your complaints are the same
as before depending upon weakness of stomach producing much
flatulence and pains. From these I believe there is no art
that can absolutely secure you, at least from some recurrence at
times but I have formerly given you some advices which if
they could be executed would I hope be of service but I shall
not insist upon these at present as some late experience has
acquainted me with a medicine which in several cases like
yours has been of great service. It strengthens the stomach
dispells wind there and while it keeps the belly regular it is
particularly usefull in carrying the wind downwards. If it
can answer these purposes in your case I shall think myself
particularly happy in pointing it out to you. I have subjoined
[Page 2]
the prescription so as it may be cut off and sent to your [Surgeon?]
or if you do not entirely trust anybody in the country let me know
and it shall be sent from this by the first opportunity. I have
said in the prescription that the dose is to be one table spoonfull
to be taken every night at bedtime and I expect that this will
keep your belly regular but if you find that this dose does not
give one motion neither loose nor very bound next day you may in¬
crease the dose to a spoonfull and half or even two spoonfulls.
At the same time you may lay aside the Rhubarb, Magnesia or
other Laxatives. The laying aside the rhubarb for some time is
the only means of rendering it again usefull to you. Tho you
have not been very sensible of the benefit of the Hartfell Spaw I am
certain that it can do no harm & I think it must do some good.
With respect to air exercise and diet I wish you may attend
to the advice formerly given. I cannot conceive a day fitter for
the carriage than the present and I hope it is as fine with you and
I hope you have made use of it. With most respectfull Com¬
pliments to your Lady I am with perfect regard Dear Sir
[Page 3]
For David Bethune of Balfour Esqr.
Take 2 drachms each of Guaiacum Gum and white lump Sugar, and rub together into a fine powder. Then add ½ an ounce of coarse Gum Arabic paste. Rub together thoroughly again and gradually pour on an ounce of Composite Senna Tincture and 5½ ounces of Peppermint Water. Mix. Stomachic Mixture a tablespoonfull to be taken every night at bedtime shaking the vial very well before pouring it out
N.B. Great care is to be taken in shaking the vial that the
whole of what sticks to bottom be well shaken up from it, and
to make that more certain it will be proper to shake the vial
to that degree several times a day.
After writing the above I have met with Mr Lindsay who tells
[desires?] to send you somethings to you with {illeg}d the [vial?] I have [desired?]
[to?] send you a vial of this {illeg}
Diplomatic Text
D. Bethune of Balfour
I have the honour of yours and think
you have got a very good clerk for between you and your
clerk I understand your complaints as well as if they had been
described by a Doctor. I think your complaints are the same
as before depending upon weakness of stomach producing much
flatulence and pains. From these I believe there is no art
that can absolutely secure you, at least from some recurrence at
times but I have formerly given you some advices which if
they could be executed would I hope be of service but I shall
not insist upon these at present as some late experience has
acquainted me with a medicine which in several cases like
yours has been of great service. It strengthens the stomach
dispells wind there and while it keeps the belly regular it is
particularly usefull in carrying the wind downwards. If it
can answer these purposes in your case I shall think myself
particularly happy in pointing it out to you. I have subjoined
[Page 2]
the prescription so as it may be cut off and sent to your [Surgeon?]
or if you do not entirely trust anybody in the country let me know
and it shall be sent from this by the first opportunity. I have
said in the prescription that the dose is to be one table spoonfull
to be taken every night at bedtime and I expect that this will
keep your belly regular but if you find that this dose does not
give one motion neither loose nor very bound next day you may in¬
crease the dose to a spoonfull and half or even two spoonfulls.
At the same time you may lay aside the Rhubarb, Magnesia or
other Laxatives. The laying aside the rhubarb for some time is
the only means of rendering it again usefull to you. Tho you
have not been very sensible of the benefit of the Hartfell Spaw I am
certain that it can do no harm & I think it must do some good.
With respect to air exercise and diet I wish you may attend
to the advice formerly given. I cannot conceive a day fitter for
the carriage than the present and I hope it is as fine with you and
I hope you have made use of it. With most respectfull Com¬
pliments to your Lady I am with perfect regard Dear Sir
[Page 3]
For David Bethune of Balfour Esqr.
℞ Gum guajac.
Sacchar. alb. duriss. @ ʒij
Terito simul in pulverem tenuem dein adde
Mucilag. G. Arabic. crass. ℥jſs
Terito iterum diligenter et paulatim affunde
Tinct. Senn. comp. ℥j
Aq. menth. pip. ℥vſs
ℳ. Stomachic Mixture a tablespoonfull to be taken every
night at bedtime shaking the vial very well before pouring
it out
N.B. Great care is to be taken in shaking the vial that the
whole of what sticks to bottom be well shaken up from it, and
to make that more certain it will be proper to shake the vial
to that degree several times a day.
After writing the above I have met with Mr Lindsay who tells
[desires?] to send you somethings to you wth {illeg}d the [vial?] I have [desired?]
[to?] send you a vial of this {illeg}
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