Cullen

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

 

[ID:5144] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Hugh Dougall (Dougal) / Regarding: Mr John Gordon (of Greshop/Grieshop) (Patient) / 10 September 1785 / (Outgoing)

Reply, 'Mr Gordon of Grieshop'

Facsimile

There are 4 images for this document.

[Page 1]


 

[Page 2]


 

[Page 3]


 

[Page 4]


 
 

Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 5144
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/18/126
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date10 September 1785
Annotation None
TypeMachine scribal copy
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply, 'Mr Gordon of Grieshop'
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1801]
Case of John Gordon of Greishop who is being treated with electricity for an inability to swallow.
7


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2493]AddresseeDr Hugh Dougall (Dougal)
[PERS ID:3791]PatientMr John Gordon (of Greshop/Grieshop)
[PERS ID:2493]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Hugh Dougall (Dougal)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:540]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr John Gregory
[PERS ID:2493]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendDr Hugh Dougall (Dougal)

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
Mentioned / Other Greshop (Grieshop) North Highlands Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]

Mr. Gordon of Grieshop

Dear Sir


I am favoured with yours concerning Mr.
Gordon of Grieshop and make you a return in
course of post.


The nature of the disease however singular
is sufficient evident as it is an Atonic and al¬
most paralytic state if the muscles of deglutition.
As it has now subsisted so long it must be
of difficult cure but I am confident it may
be relieved and perhaps entirely cured. I think
you have begun very properly by applying
a blister to the throat and I hope it shall
be of Service, but it may not do a great deal
and I expect more from your other judicious
attempt by Electricity. Some effect of the this may
appear immediately but an entire cure {illeg}
not to be expected, but in consequence of a



[Page 2]

long continuance of it. You have done very pro¬
perly in beginning by pouring in and drawing
off the Electrical fluid by points while he is
in an insulated State and this may be repeated
as often as you please with Safety and I
hope advantage, but I think it will be
necessary to try a shock Sent into the throat
behind the corner of the lower jaw. At first
let this be as gentle as possible, but accor¬
ding to the effects it may be rendered stron¬
ger, but I must observe to you that I
am now persuaded that in all applications
of Electricity Strong Shocks are of ambiguous
effect and that the greatest benefit is
[obtained?] by gentle Shocks often repeated
not indeed very often at the Same time
but two three [tension?] in the courses of the
Same day. You are to judge of their effects


[Page 3]

on Mr. Gordon by trying his Swallowing imme¬
diately after the application beginning first
by his Swallowing a morsel of softened bread
or other such soft bolus and afterwards of a
little liquid, for the latter always required tho
not a Stronger yet a greater degree of con¬
striction than the former and it is generally
easier to swallow a full mouthful than a
Small quantity of any liquid and hence the
saliva more difficulty than almost any thing
else. If you have the success that I hope for
you will go on in applying the Electricity
with a little more force and frequencies but
never with any great force and this is the
Substance of the advice I would offer at
present. For the rest till I have from you {illeg}
I would leave him to follow Dr. Gregorys directions
or to use any Gargle that he has found temporary
relief from for I would not wish to propose


[Page 4]

any thing new till the electricity is tried. With
hearty wishes for Mr. Gordons relief I am with
very great regard


Dear Sir
Your most Obedient Servant

William Cullen

Edinburgh 10th. September
1785


P.S. I dont find the hint in your Postscript of any
application at present

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]

Mr. Gordon of Grieshop

Dear Sir


I am favoured with yours concerning Mr.
Gordon of Grieshop and make you a return in
course of post.


The nature of the disease however singular
is sufficient evident as it is an Atonic and al¬
most paralytic state if the muscles of deglutition.
As it has now subsisted so long it must be
of difficult cure but I am confident it may
be relieved and perhaps entirely cured. I think
you have begun very properly by applying
a blister to the throat and I hope it shall
be of Service, but it may not do a great deal
and I expect more from your other judicious
attempt by Electricity. Some effect of the this may
appear immediately but an entire cure {illeg}
not to be expected, but in consequence of a



[Page 2]

long continuance of it. You have done very pro¬
perly in beginning by pouring in and drawing
off the Electrical fluid by points while he is
in an insulated State and this may be repeated
as often as you please with Safety and I
hope advantage, but I think it will be
necessary to try a shock Sent into the throat
behind the corner of the lower jaw. At first
let this be as gentle as possible, but accor¬
ding to the effects it may be rendered stron¬
ger, but I must observe to you that I
am now persuaded that in all applications
of Electricity Strong Shocks are of ambiguous
effect and that the greatest benefit is
[obtained?] by gentle Shocks often repeated
not indeed very often at the Same time
but two three [tension?] in the courses of the
Same day. You are to judge of their effects


[Page 3]

on Mr. Gordon by trying his Swallowing imme¬
diately after the application beginning first
by his Swallowing a morsel of softened bread
or other such soft bolus and afterwards of a
little liquid, for the latter always required tho
not a Stronger yet a greater degree of con¬
striction than the former and it is generally
easier to swallow a full mouthful than a
Small quantity of any liquid and hence the
saliva more difficulty than almost any thing
else. If you have the success that I hope for
you will go on in applying the Electricity
with a little more force and frequencies but
never with any great force and this is the
Substance of the advice I would offer at
present. For the rest till I have from you {illeg}
I would leave him to follow Dr. Gregorys directions
or to use any Gargle that he has found temporary
relief from for I would not wish to propose


[Page 4]

any thing new till the electricity is tried. With
hearty wishes for Mr. Gordons relief I am with
very great regard


Dear Sir
Your most Obedient Servant

William Cullen

Edinr. 10th. Septr.
1785


P.S. I dont find the hint in your Postscript of any
application at present

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