Cullen

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

There are 2 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 524
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/15/7
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date8 April 1782
Annotation None
TypeMachine 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 IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2830]AddresseeDr Peter Wright
[PERS ID:2831]PatientMr Matthie
[PERS ID:2820]PatientMr James Fleming
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:216]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryMr Robert Wallace
[PERS ID:2830]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr 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

[Page 1]

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

[Page 1]

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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