The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:674] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Sir John Cathcart (Patient) / 25 November 1782 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'Sir John Cathcart', suggesting further treatment: 'by the accounts I had from you formerly I did not expect he would have lasted till now'.
- 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 | 674 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/15/161 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 25 November 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, 'Sir John Cathcart', suggesting further treatment: 'by the accounts I had from you formerly I did not expect he would have lasted till now'. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:960] |
Case of Sir John Cathcart whose spitting of blood implies a fatal consumptive condition. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2988] | Patient | Sir John Cathcart |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:336] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Ivie Campbell |
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
Sir John Cathcart
vid. p 242
Dear Sir
I think matters are now
certainly drawing to an Issue, with Sir John Cathcart
and indeed by the accounts I had from you formerly
I did not expect he would have lasted till now. The
bloody spitting you mention is what commonly
doubles the violent degree of Hydrothorax, and after
this symptom the fatal period is seldom long
delayed. But you are right in the meantime, in
trying every means of relief, and the Blister you
have lately applied was one of the most probable
the surprising degree of insensibility and torpor
which appears in the intestines, seems to preclude
you from the relief which you might otherwise pro¬
cure by purging; but I am still of opinion that it is
to be attempted, as the only means of drawing off any
[Page 2]
considerable portion of water, and I am of opinion
that over the large Doses, which his Intestines seem
to require, is as safe, as a more moderate Dose to -
another person, and you do not speak of any circum¬
stances attending your last operation; that case
make me think otherwise. It is possible that
Tapping might give a temporary relief, but as
there is Water in the Thorax as well as in the
Abdomen, the relief might be very little, and
the operation in drawing off the water of the
Abdomen, might be very dangerous; and unless it
is Sir Johns own choice to run the risk of this, I
would not advise it. There is another means that
might draw off a good deal of water with more
safety, and that is punctures in the legs or thighs
and if they are Punctures only they are not liable
to be troublesome, but must be frequently renewed
[Page 3]
in fresh places. After medicines, have lost their
power so much in this Case, I have no confidence
in advising any, but If I was, it would be only
Doses of Squills as large as he can bear. They
may perhaps after all prove something Diuretic
Make my Compliments to Doctor Campbell
and please tell him that my particular hurry at
this Season, has made me neglect sending
him an answer to the last letter he favoured
me with concerning Mrs. Blair, but I shall
still do it. I am with very great regard
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servant
William Cullen
Edinburgh November 25.
1782.
Diplomatic Text
Sir John Cathcart
vid. p 242
Dear Sir
I think matters are now
certainly drawing to an Issue, with Sir John Cathcart
and indeed by the accounts I had from you formerly
I did not expect he would have lasted till now. The
bloody spitting you mention is what commonly
doubles the violent degree of Hydrothorax, and after
this symptom the fatal period is seldom long
delayed. But you are right in the meantime, in
trying every means of relief, and the Blister you
have lately applied was one of the most probable
the surprising degree of insensibility and torpor
which appears in the intestines, seems to preclude
you from the relief which you might otherwise pro¬
cure by purging; but I am still of opinion that it is
to be attempted, as the only means of drawing off any
[Page 2]
considerable portion of water, and I am of opinion
that over the large Doses, which his Intestines seem
to require, is as safe, as a more moderate Dose to -
another person, and you do not speak of any circum¬
stances attending your last operation; that case
make me think otherwise. It is possible that
Tapping might give a temporary relief, but as
there is Water in the Thorax as well as in the
Abdomen, the relief might be very little, and
the operation in drawing off the water of the
Abdomen, might be very dangerous; and unless it
is Sir Johns own choice to run the risk of this, I
would not advise it. There is another means that
might draw off a good deal of water with more
safety, and that is punctures in the legs or thighs
and if they are Punctures only they are not liable
to be troublesome, but must be frequently renewed
[Page 3]
in fresh places. After medicines, have lost their
power so much in this Case, I have no confidence
in advising any, but If I was, it would be only
Doses of Squills as large as he can bear. They
may perhaps after all prove something Diuretic
Make my Compliments to Doctor Campbell
and please tell him that my particular hurry at
this Season, has made me neglect sending
him an answer to the last letter he favoured
me with concerning Mrs. Blair, but I shall
still do it. I am with very great regard
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servant
William Cullen
Edinr. Novr. 25.
1782.
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