The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:4074] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Mr Alexander Grant (in Forres) / Regarding: (M(rs)? or M(iss)?) (Patient) / 31 May 1777 / (Outgoing)
Reply for 'Mr Grant C[oncerning]. M.'.
- 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 | 4074 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/9/47 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 31 May 1777 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply for 'Mr Grant C[oncerning]. M.'. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:872] |
Case of an unnamed female patient who suffers from a painful bilious complaint and is being treated by Mr Alexander Grant. |
2 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1959] | Addressee | Mr Alexander Grant (in Forres) |
| [PERS ID:1960] | Patient | (M(rs)? or M(iss)?) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:1959] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr Alexander Grant (in Forres) |
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 | Forres | East Highlands | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Mr Grant Concerning M.
I dont think that either bile, acidity or wind were ever to
be considered as the causes of this Complaint. These appea¬
rances
[Page 2]
were effects only of a spasmodic affection & it is evident that
the relief at any time obtained was by medicines which take of or prevent
spasm; & it is only from such medicines still that we can expect relief.
After subsisting so long the Cure will be difficult as it is to be
suspected that the disease which was at first purely spasmodic has
now produced some visceral obstructions, difficult to be removed.
To give what relief is possible, as the Stomach bears the
medicines so very ill the Opiate glysters must be regularly continued
increasing the dose as repetition may seem to require for
unless the dose be full it will be ineffectual & not durable.
Besides the Opiate glysters, it might be useful & save the trouble
of glysters to anoint the pit of the Stomach with Anodyne
balsam or keep applied to it a plaister of Theriac. Andromachi
or Edinensis renewing it as it dries. The Opiate glysters must
be alternated with Laxatives. I fear, these palliatives are
the chief remedies, but if the Stomach can bear any medicines
I would still try by means of Tonics to prevent the return
of the spasms. I see she has been the better of Bark & I
would wish to use it again, but it is hardly possible that her
Stomach can bear a quantity sufficient, therefore I propose
n medicines of sufficient power & going in small bulk.
Take one drachm of prepared Steel, one-and-a-half of powdered Cinnamon and two of White Sugar. Mix to obtain a powder. Label: Strengthening powders.
Of this powder let her take as
much as will be upon a sixpence, & lick it either dry or
mixed with a little water berry. Let it be taken five or
six hours before the time that the return of the bilious vomi¬
tings might be expected & if the Stomach bear it let the dose be
repeated in two hours after & thus if possible 2 or 3 times
before the vomiting be expected to return. If the Stomach
bear it, tho the effects do not immediately appear, continue it,
increasing gradually both the quantity of each dose & number of doses
If the disease be {illeg} spasmodical, this will be of service but
if any considerable obstructions be formed, neither this nor any
medicine I know, will be of service, & it can be palliated by Opiates
alone. Her diet must be first what her Stomach can bear. Her
drink, only spirits & water & that might be given pretty freely.
Edinburgh May 31. 1777.
W. C.
Diplomatic Text
Mr Grant C. M.
I dont think that either bile, acidity or wind were ever to
be considered as the causes of this Complaint. These appea¬
rances
[Page 2]
were effects only of a spasmodic affection & it is evident that
the relief at any time obtained was by meds which take of or prevent
spasm; & it is only from such medicines still that we can expect relief.
After subsisting so long the Cure will be difficult as it is to be
suspected that the disease wc was at first purely spasmodic has
now produced some visceral obstructions, difficult to be removed.
To give what relief is possible, as the Stomach bears the
meds so very ill the Opiate glysters must be regularly continued
increasing the dose as repetition may seem to require for
unless the dose be full it will be ineffectual & not durable.
Besides the Opiate glysters, it m. b useful & save the trouble
of glysters to anoint the pit of the Stomach with Anodyne
balsam or keep applied to it a plaister of Theriac. androm.
or Edinensis renewing it as it dries. The Opiate glysters must
be alternated with Laxatives. I fear, these palliatives are
the chief remedies, but if the Stomach can bear any meds.
I would still try by means of Tonics to prevent the return
of the spasms. I see she has been the better of Bark & I
would wish to use it again, but it is hardly possible that her
Stomach can bear a quantity sufficient, therefore I propose
n medicines of sufficient power & going in small bulk.
℞ Limat. Martis ppt. ʒj Cinnam. pulv. ʒjss
Sacch. alb. durissimum ʒij ℳ. f. fiat ---
S. Strengtheng powders ---
Of this powder let her take as
much as will be upon a sixpence, & lick it either dry or
mixed with a little water berry. Let it be taken five or
six hours before the time that the return of the bilious vomi¬
tings m. b expected & if the Stomach bear it let the dose be
repeated in two hours after & thus if possible 2 or 3 times
before the vomiting be expected to return. If the Stomach
bear it, tho the effects do not immediately appear, continue it,
increasg gradually both the qty of each dose & number of doses
If the disease be {illeg} spasmodical, this will be of service but
if any considerable obstructions be formed, neither this nor any
med I know, will be of service, & it can be palliated by Opiates
alone. Her diet must be first wt her Stomach can bear. Her
drink, only spirits & water & that m. b given pretty freely.
Edinr. May 31. 1777.
W. C.
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