The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:5288] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch) / Regarding: Reverend William Burnside (of Dumfries) (Patient) / 17 June 1786 / (Outgoing)
Reply, for the Rev. 'Mr. Burnside'. Addressing John Gilchrist, Cullen writes, 'I chuse to shew my attention both on account of Mr. Burnside himself and upon account of his Brother for whom I have a great regard'. He gives advice on bleeding, including leeches, bark and keeping him cool. He extends his compliments to Mrs Gilchrist, apologising for neglecting to do so previously.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 5288 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/19/99 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 17 June 1786 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine scribal copy |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, for the Rev. 'Mr. Burnside'. Addressing John Gilchrist, Cullen writes, 'I chuse to shew my attention both on account of Mr. Burnside himself and upon account of his Brother for whom I have a great regard'. He gives advice on bleeding, including leeches, bark and keeping him cool. He extends his compliments to Mrs Gilchrist, apologising for neglecting to do so previously. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:965] |
Case of the Reverend Burnside who is left weak from a history of headaches and attacks of sweating. |
6 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:115] | Addressee | Dr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch) |
| [PERS ID:4348] | Patient | Reverend William Burnside (of Dumfries) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:115] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr John Gilchrist (of Speddoch) |
| [PERS ID:4364] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr Burnside (in Nottingham) |
| [PERS ID:3599] | Other | Mrs Marion Gilchrist (May) |
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 | Dumfries | Borders | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Mr. Burnside
Though I have but little to say I chuse to
shew my attention both on account of Mr. Burnside
himself and upon account of his Brother for whom
I have a great regard.
I am glad to find you have begun to apply
the cold water, and as you find it has done no harm
I hope you will continue it, tho the increasing the
coldness may be as slow as you please.
I am still persuaded that in the fits there is
a preternatural afflux of blood to the vessels of the
head, tho' the circumstances you mention in your
letter of the 5th. made me shrink a little from
the application of leeches, but your account now
of the effects of them at the commencement of his
illness confirms my opinion of the disease and gives
me an inclination to try the leeches still, though
perhaps I would not employ them to the same
extent as before, and I must observe to you that
[Page 2]
a topical bleeding do unless excessive does not weaken
much the general System.
My general notion makes me averse both to
meat and wine, and I think that it is incumbent
on me to enter by (↑my↑) caution against them, especially
when I find the bystanders and even himself dis¬
posed to another course. The more you can observe
periodical motions in the disease I shall be the
more disposed to try the Bark in the intervals
but I would wish to find these intervals especially
in the forenoon. Since I wrote you last the weather
has been so cold from the East that I would not
have pushed him into the air, tho' he had been
otherwise able for it, but I am certain you have
done right in taking him out of his Chamber
as I am certain that the air of that may be
much better for him being frequently renewed and
cooled. If you venture upon the leeches, and find
them to moderate his pulse and {illeg} I would
[Page 3]
be led to try an opiate in the Evening.
Let me however observe upon the whole that
I give you hints only to be neglected, or followed as
your discretion upon the spot shall direct. I regret
much that in our late correspondence I have neglected
to wish you Joy and offer my Compliments to Mrs.
Gilchrist. I do both now in the most sincere manner
and with Compliments to every other person
[c]oncerned. I am
Dear John
Sincerely Yours
Edinburgh 17th. June
1786
Diplomatic Text
Mr. Burnside
Though I have but little to say I chuse to
shew my attention both on account of Mr. Burnside
himself and upon account of his Brother for whom
I have a great regard.
I am glad to find you have begun to apply
the cold water, and as you find it has done no harm
I hope you will continue it, tho the increasing the
coldness may be as slow as you please.
I am still persuaded that in the fits there is
a preternatural afflux of blood to the vessels of the
head, tho' the circumstances you mention in your
letter of the 5th. made me shrink a little from
the application of leeches, but your account now
of the effects of them at the commencement of his
illness confirms my opinion of the disease and gives
me an inclination to try the leeches still, though
perhaps I would not employ them to the same
extent as before, and I must observe to you that
[Page 2]
a topical bleeding do unless excessive does not weaken
much the general System.
My general notion makes me averse both to
meat and wine, and I think that it is incumbent
on me to enter by (↑my↑) caution against them, especially
when I find the bystanders and even himself dis¬
posed to another course. The more you can observe
periodical motions in the disease I shall be the
more disposed to try the Bark in the intervals
but I would wish to find these intervals especially
in the forenoon. Since I wrote you last the weather
has been so cold from the East that I would not
have pushed him into the air, tho' he had been
otherwise able for it, but I am certain you have
done right in taking him out of his Chamber
as I am certain that the air of that may be
much better for him being frequently renewed and
cooled. If you venture upon the leeches, and find
them to moderate his pulse and {illeg} I would
[Page 3]
be led to try an opiate in the Evening.
Let me however observe upon the whole that
I give you hints only to be neglected, or followed as
your discretion upon the spot shall direct. I regret
much that in our late correspondence I have neglected
to wish you Joy and offer my Compliments to Mrs.
Gilchrist. I do both now in the most sincere manner
and with Compliments to every other person
[c]oncerned. I am
Dear John
Sincerely Yours
Edinr. 17th. June
1786
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