The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:524] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Peter Wright / Regarding: Mr James Fleming (Patient), Mr Matthie (Patient) / 8 April 1782 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'Mr Fleming'. Cullen says that the patient's situation 'gives me much concern as I have little confidence in any thing we can do to relieve him'. He does, however, suggest that 'there can be no harm in a cautious trial' of electricity. He passes on his regards to Mr Fleming and Mr Wallace, and says he is happy to find Mr Mathie recovering.
- 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 | 524 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/15/7 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 8 April 1782 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'Mr Fleming'. Cullen says that the patient's situation 'gives me much concern as I have little confidence in any thing we can do to relieve him'. He does, however, suggest that 'there can be no harm in a cautious trial' of electricity. He passes on his regards to Mr Fleming and Mr Wallace, and says he is happy to find Mr Mathie recovering. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:863] |
Case of Cullen's 'old aquaintance' Mr James Fleming who has an obstructed oesophagus which proves fatal. May be same person as Case 276. |
10 |
| [Case ID:1480] |
Case of Mr Matthie, a young man with a nephritic complaint who is too attached to the pursuit of pleasure to give Cullen's treatments time to take effect. |
8 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2830] | Addressee | Dr Peter Wright |
| [PERS ID:2831] | Patient | Mr Matthie |
| [PERS ID:2820] | Patient | Mr James Fleming |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:216] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Mr Robert Wallace |
| [PERS ID:2830] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Peter Wright |
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 | Glasgow | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Mr Fleming.
Dear Sir
Your account of Mr. Flemings situation
gives me much concern as I have little confidence in any
thing we can do to relieve him. It does not appear that the
Cicuta has done any Service and I cannot insist on it. Some
people think they have discussed schirrosities by Electricity
and there can be no harm in a cautious trial. Thus let him
be set on the insulated chair and let sparks for a quarter of an hour
be drawn from the pit of the Stomach but through his Shirt ↑or a piece flannel↑ or
from the same place ↑& for the same time↑ let the electricity be drawn off by a wooden
point or after practicing these for some days let some ↑very↑ gentle
shocks be sent thro the same places. But this is more than
enough for you who I dare say is very well acquainted with the
medical application of Electricity. I shall be glad to know what
you do & with what success. If he finds relief from a little brandy
I have no objection to it but I should think a little spir. vitrioli dulcis
with an equal part of water would be of still more service. With Compliments
to Mr Fleming and Mr Wallace I am with great regard Dear Dr Yours
William Cullen
Edinburgh 8th April 1782.
Turn over
[Page 2]
I am happy to find Mr Mathie recovering but tho I
do not find ↑it↑ So compleat as I would wish I have nothing new
to advise. If he can be persuaded to attend exactly to all the
advices he has got I hope he will at length be quite well and
without a regimen he never will.
Diplomatic Text
Mr Fleming.
Dear Sir
Your account of Mr. Flemings situation
gives me much concern as I have little confidence in any
thing we can do to relieve him. It does not appear that the
Cicuta has done any Service and I cannot insist on it. Some
people think they have discussed schirrosities by Electricity
and there can be no harm in a cautious trial. Thus let him
be set on the insulated chair and let sparks for a quarter of an hour
be drawn from the pit of the Stomach but through his Shirt ↑or a piece flannel↑ or
from the same place ↑& for the same time↑ let the electricity be drawn off by a wooden
point or after practicing these for some days let some ↑very↑ gentle
shocks be sent thro the same places. But this is more than
enough for you who I dare say is very well acquainted with the
medical application of Electricity. I shall be glad to know what
you do & with what success. If he finds relief from a little brandy
I have no objection to it but I should think a little spir. vitrioli dulcis
with an equal part of water would be of still more service. With Compliments
to Mr Fleming and Mr Wallace I am with great regard Dr Dr Yours
William Cullen
Edinr. 8th April 1782.
Turn over
[Page 2]
I am happy to find Mr Mathie recovering but tho I
do not find ↑it↑ So compleat as I would wish I have nothing new
to advise. If he can be persuaded to attend exactly to all the
advices he has got I hope he will at length be quite well and
without a regimen he never will.
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