Cullen

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

 

[ID:347] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Anonymous / Regarding: Mr Welsh (Patient) / 15 October 1775 / (Outgoing)

Reply giving directions for Mr Welsh, regarding the swelling of his leg after he injured it in a fall in April (1775). Cullen describes it as becoming a 'receptacle for the humours' since late June, and that this threatens his breast, presumably through dropsy. He recommends that Mr Welsh wear a laced compression stocking, and takes some diaphoretic pills, for which he encloses a recipe.

Facsimile

There are 2 images for this document.

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[Page 2]


 
 

Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 347
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/6/46
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date15 October 1775
Annotation None
TypeScribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry)
Enclosure(s) Enclosure(s) present
Autopsy No
Recipe Yes
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply giving directions for Mr Welsh, regarding the swelling of his leg after he injured it in a fall in April (1775). Cullen describes it as becoming a 'receptacle for the humours' since late June, and that this threatens his breast, presumably through dropsy. He recommends that Mr Welsh wear a laced compression stocking, and takes some diaphoretic pills, for which he encloses a recipe.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:343]
Case of Mr Welsh, who has a swollen leg after he injured it in a fall in April 1775.
2


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:1639]Addressee
[PERS ID:1602]PatientMr Welsh
[PERS ID:1639]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary
[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

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
For Mr Welsh


I am of opinion that the infirmity of the leg and thigh
induced by the fall in April rendered that limb a recep¬
tacle for the humours with fell upon it towards the end
of June and proved a basis to the more dangerous ailments
which had threatened his breast. In this view I think it
will not be safe to take much pains discuss 1 the swelling
of
the limb and all that can be safely done is to prevent
the consequences of the humours falling too much upon
it and to favour the discussion by taking some care
of his general habit. For the first he must take care
to avoid throwing the weight of his body upon that
limb
and therefore avoid its hanging down as much



[Page 2]

as possible and further to prevent the humours falling upon
itto wear constantly a laced stocking properly fitted &
applied. For mending the general habit and putting
nature in a way of disscus discussing all the bad humours
from every part, I have ordered some pills on the other
page of which he may take two every night and morning
or if they do not disturb his stomach and especially
after he has taken them for some time he may take
three or even four for a dose.

October th 15
1775

Take a drachm of Gum Guaiacum, half a drachm of White Lump Sugar, and 7½ grains of Tartar Emetic. Rub together into a powder, then add a drachm of Gentian Extract and with enough Gum Arabic paste to mix into a mass, divide into pills of 5 grains each. Label: Diaphoretic Pills 2 for a dose

Notes:

1: Throughout this letter 'discuss' is being used to mean 'disperse' or 'dispel' the humours creating the swelling.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
For Mr Welsh


I am of opinion that the infirmity of the leg and thigh
induced by the fall in April rendered that limb a recep¬
tacle for the humours with fell upon it towards the end
of June and proved a basis to the more dangerous ailments
which had threatened his breast. In this view I think it
will not be safe to take much pains discuss 1 the swelling
of
the limb and all that can be safely done is to prevent
the consequences of the humours falling too much upon
it and to favour the discussion by taking some care
of his general habit. For the first he must take care
to avoid throwing the weight of his body upon that
limb
and therefore avoid its hanging down as much



[Page 2]

as possible and further to prevent the humours falling upon
itto wear constantly a laced stocking properly fitted &
applied. For mending the general habit and putting
nature in a way of disscus discussing all the bad humours
from every part, I have ordered some pills on the other
page of which he may take two every night and morning
or if they do not disturb his stomach and especially
after he has taken them for some time he may take
three or even four for a dose.

Octo th 15
1775


℞. Gum. guaiac. ʒi Sacch. alb. duriss. ʒſs Tart emet. gr. viiſs
Terito simul in pulverem dein adde Extract. gentian. ʒi et
cum Muc. G. Arab. q. s. f. m. divid. in pil. sing. gr. v Sig. Diaphoretic Pills 2 for a dose

Notes:

1: Throughout this letter 'discuss' is being used to mean 'disperse' or 'dispel' the humours creating the swelling.

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