The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:305] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr William Grieve (Grieves) / Regarding: Miss Betty Tweedie (Patient), Anonymous (Patient) / 24 May 1775 / (Outgoing)
Reply 'To Dr William Grieve of Peebles', concerning a Miss Tweedie. Cullen says the case seems ambiguous, although 'it threatens to become Phthisical'. He asks further questions regarding the nature of the pain and whether or not there is any suggestion of a 'hereditary trait', and suggests blistering, a seton, horseback riding, dietary restrictions, and Tussilago [Coltsfoot] leaves. Letter also mentions 'the case of Mr Braidwood's friend'.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 2 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 305 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/6/6 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 24 May 1775 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply 'To Dr William Grieve of Peebles', concerning a Miss Tweedie. Cullen says the case seems ambiguous, although 'it threatens to become Phthisical'. He asks further questions regarding the nature of the pain and whether or not there is any suggestion of a 'hereditary trait', and suggests blistering, a seton, horseback riding, dietary restrictions, and Tussilago [Coltsfoot] leaves. Letter also mentions 'the case of Mr Braidwood's friend'. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:21] |
Case of Miss Tweedie with a 'Rheumatic Complaint' after getting cold in church. |
3 |
| [Case ID:2142] |
Case of a young unnamed girl with rapid breathing. |
2 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1405] | Addressee | Dr William Grieve (Grieves) |
| [PERS ID:1406] | Patient | Miss Betty Tweedie |
| [PERS ID:1411] | Patient | |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1405] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Grieve (Grieves) |
| [PERS ID:1062] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr Thomas Braidwood |
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 | Peebles | Borders | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
To Doctor Grieve of Peebles
I had yours concerning Miss Tweedie on
Monday last but the post was gone before I received it. ---
I think the case is a little ambiguous. It threatens to become
Phthisical but I think that is not ↑yet↑ certain. Is there any suspicion
of heriditary trait. Is she not uneasy lying on the pained
side. In either case I shall be afraid of the worste but in the
mean time we must do the best we can to relieve it & I hope
we may succeed. What you have done hitherto appears to me
both proper & judicious & we must persist in some of the
same measures. I would still apply a blister upon the pained
part & especially the originally pained part & some part of the
blister I would keep open as a perpetual Issue. I would en¬
deavour to get her on horseback behind a man & give her
some very gentle motion in the fresh air often & as much
of it as she can easily bear: I would confine her entirely in a diet of
Milk and Pfarinacea particularly let her drink half a muchkin
of Mares milk or what she can bear of it every morning & evening.
In the morning she may sleep after it, but not if she sweats
at the same time. If squills give her no disturbance I have no
objection to them but if they make her squeamish & hurt her
appetite you had better let them alone. I like the Tartar emetic
solution better but it is on the same conditions. --- If she vomits
easily I think frequent peuks may be the best pectoral you
[Page 2]
can employ viz from five to ten grains of Ipecacuana in the
evening but in these evenings abstaining from the Mares
Milk. -- I trust much to these measures & the season & the
only medicine I shall advise is a strong decoction of the
Tussilago leaves (not the flowers) just now in perfection. --
Take two or three ounces of the fresh leaves boil them
in a pound & half of water into a pound straining it by
a strong expression in a press. -- Sweeten this well with honey
if she bears it & if not with sugar. Let her take four ounces of this
twice a day at noon & at bedtime neither hot nor cold. If it proves
Laxative you must lessen the dose, if it does not you may increase
it. When you have tried this course or when ant thing new
casts up you may write me.
I remember the case of Mister Braidwoods friends but dont know
what to make of it. In so long time I think you must have
observed some circumstances that should determine whether it is de¬
pending on some topical affection or is purely spasmodic. ---
If it is the first it will hardly admit of remedy but if the last
it may be relieved by opium or musk. -- When you can speak
more positively I shall be ready to say further. -- I am
always with very great regard
Dear William
your most Obedient servant
Edinburgh 24th May
1775
Diplomatic Text
To Dr Grieve of Peebles
I had yours concerning Miss Tweedie on
Monday last but the post was gone before I received it. ---
I think the case is a little ambiguous. It threatens to become
Phthisical but I think that is not ↑yet↑ certain. Is there any suspicion
of heriditary trait. Is she not uneasy lying on the pained
side. In either case I shall be afraid of the worste but in the
mean time we must do the best we can to relieve it & I hope
we may succeed. What you have done hitherto appears to me
both proper & judicious & we must persist in some of the
same measures. I would still apply a blister upon the pained
part & especially the originally pained part & some part of the
blister I would keep open as a perpetual Issue. I would en¬
deavour to get her on horseback behind a man & give her
some very gentle motion in the fresh air often & as much
of it as she can easily bear: I would confine her entirely in a diet of
Milk and Pfarinacea particularly let her drink half a muchkin
of Mares milk or what she can bear of it every morning & evening.
In the morning she may sleep after it, but not if she sweats
at the same time. If squills give her no disturbance I have no
objection to them but if they make her squeamish & hurt her
appetite you had better let them alone. I like the Tartar emetic
solution better but it is on the same conditions. --- If she vomits
easily I think frequent peuks may be the best pectoral you
[Page 2]
can employ viz from five to ten grains of Ipecacuana in the
evening but in these evenings abstaining from the Mares
Milk. -- I trust much to these measures & the season & the
only medicine I shall advise is a strong decoction of the
Tussilago leaves (not the flowers) just now in perfection. --
Take two or three ounces of the fresh leaves boil them
in a pound & half of water into a pound straining it by
a strong expression in a press. -- Sweeten this well with honey
if she bears it & if not with sugar. Let her take four ounces of this
twice a day at noon & at bedtime neither hot nor cold. If it proves
Laxative you must lessen the dose, if it does not you may increase
it. When you have tried this course or when ant thing new
casts up you may write me.
I remember the case of Mr Braidwoods friends but dont know
what to make of it. In so long time I think you must have
observed some circumstances that should determine whether it is de¬
pending on some topical affection or is purely spasmodic. ---
If it is the first it will hardly admit of remedy but if the last
it may be relieved by opium or musk. -- When you can speak
more positively I shall be ready to say further. -- I am
always with very great regard
Dear William
your most Obedient serv.t
Edin/r 24th May
1775
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