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
- 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 | 347 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/6/46 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 15 October 1775 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal 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 ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1639] | Addressee | |
| [PERS ID:1602] | Patient | Mr Welsh |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1639] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary |
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
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.
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
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.
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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