The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:445] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: [A matter not directly regarding a patient] / 28 September 1771 / (Outgoing)
Reply concerning 'a Dropsy' of an unnamed male patient.
- 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 | 445 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/3/28 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 28 September 1771 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | Yes |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply concerning 'a Dropsy' of an unnamed male patient. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:342] |
Case of an unnamed male patient who has had ague and is dropsical. |
1 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:706] | Other Physician / Surgeon | Dr Gregory |
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
It is very probable thta the repeated attacks of
Ague might have produced some visceral obstructions
particularly in the Liver but you mention no Symptom to
confirm that Suspicion and I hope there is no such thing -
I think they present Dropsy may be imputed entirely to the
Hemorrahagy and therefore must be more easily cured than if it
had been owing to any visceral obstruction ¬ In attempting to
cure the Dropsy I am of Opinion with Dr Gregory that we must
avoid all such Stimulants as might occasion any return of
Hemorrahagy ¬ no Hydragogus Purgatives therefore are not
advisable and I even doubt if the Squills and mercury
can be pushed to any degree as they are seldom diuretic
without being purgative at the same time. The Diuretic
I would chiefly insist on is the Cream of Tartar: which
[Page 2]
taken to tow two drams every morning for some time,
generally keeps the belly regular and at length proves
diuretic without duly{illeg} In the mean time if
you have the Oxymel Colchici in good condition I
am clear for your trying it and according it to the
effects adhering to it - The least best way of
giving the Cream of Tartar is by mixing it with a
little common Syrup and giving it in the teaSpoonfulls.
If the Cream of Tartar does not keep the belly
sufficiently open and which I think very necessary
to discharge the grumous atrabilariun stuff he has
so frequently voided, I would in this Case prefer the
Castor Oil to any other Laxative. The diet,
Exercise and friction recommended by Dr Gregory I
think very proper and necessary. I think the same of the
Decoction of Bark and Acid of Vitriol and I dont see
any reason for your being afraid of the lighter tonics.
I must say to you that is the return of Hemorrhagy I
am especially afraid of. It is on that account I am
for a cooler Diet in this case than I should think
necessary in Dropsy from other Causes
Edinburgh 28th. September
Diplomatic Text
It is very probable thta the repeated attacks of
Ague might have produced some visceral obstructions
particularly in the Liver but you mention no Symptom to
confirm that Suspicion and I hope there is no such thing -
I think they present Dropsy may be imputed entirely to the
Hemorrahagy and therefore must be more easily cured than if it
had been owing to any visceral obstruction ¬ In attempting to
cure the Dropsy I am of Opinion with Dr Gregory that we must
avoid all such Stimulants as might occasion any return of
Hemorrahagy ¬ no Hydragogus Purgatives therefore are not
advisable and I even doubt if the Squills and mercury
can be pushed to any degree as they are seldom diuretic
without being purgative at the same time. The Diuretic
I would chiefly insist on is the Cream of Tartar: which
[Page 2]
taken to tow two drams every morning for some time,
generally keeps the belly regular and at length proves
diuretic without duly{illeg} In the mean time if
you have the Oxymel Colchici in good condition I
am clear for your trying it and according it to the
effects adhering to it - The least best way of
giving the Cream of Tartar is by mixing it with a
little common Syrup and giving it in the teaSpoonfulls.
If the Cream of Tartar does not keep the belly
sufficiently open and which I think very necessary
to discharge the grumous atrabilariun stuff he has
so frequently voided, I would in this Case prefer the
Castor Oil to any other Laxative. The diet,
Exercise and friction recommended by Dr Gregory I
think very proper and necessary. I think the same of the
Decoction of Bark and Acid of Vitriol and I dont see
any reason for your being afraid of the lighter tonics.
I must say to you that is the return of Hemorrhagy I
am especially afraid of. It is on that account I am
for a cooler Diet in this case than I should think
necessary in Dropsy from other Causes
Edinr 28th. Septr
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