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I am desired to consult some able Physician on the case of Mr. Mylred
(who is one of the principle Judges of this Isle) I have therefore recommend¬
ed you to his Relation's and have sent the History of his case as far
as I could possibly glean up. -

Mr. Mylred is aged 58 years a gros Ple¬
thorick habit always healthy, but lived very fully, altho run into no Intempe¬
rancy unless amongst the fair sex, /as he was a Bachelor/ and its believed
might have contracted some venereal taints which he might quack with
himself --- About two years ago he complained of wandering pains
like Rheumatism, in different parts of his Body; to remove which he used
several external applications without my advice, Sea Bathing likewise
and its said at the time his body was charged with Mercury which he
had been taking for some months before. -- Immediately after this he
was observed to have great lowness of spirits, & thoughtfulness, broken sleep,
deep sighing & moaning, Peevishness so that every thing offended, doing
& saying things that before was quite opposite his Inclination, his appe¬
tite at this time very Irregular, sometimes voracious, hisdigestion at
same time very bad with great flatulency, and sour Belchings; avoid¬
ing Company, had numberless imaginary complaints, and when forced
into Company seemed to increase the Taciturnity into an habitual Si¬
lence so that a word could not be got from him, generally kept his Bed,
most part of the day, and Choosed to sit up at night. - He Continued
much in this way till the latter end of last summer, when he was
seised with fits, (at which time I was called in to give my assistance)
he was strongly convulsed when in the fit, more especially abt. the
head & trunk of the Body, deprived of all sense of feeling &cc the
Respiration attended with a sort of stertor, or snorting, Particular
Irrigidness about the head & Throat, and the face had a purple co¬
lour, a hard full pulse, the convulsive twitches, and spasm's con¬
tinued in some part, when he was out of the fit, and his Eyes
looked Red, and Inflamed, with a Remarkable quick motion of
the Palpebræ.

I ordered Blood to be taken from the Jugular veins
which had a very dense & Inflamatory appearance, and which
gave him Instantaneous releif as the fits were not so frequent
and the spasm's less, he was put into the Pediluvium three or
four times a day, had Blisters applyed between the shoulders,
to the ancles & hind Part of the head, with a Repetition of them

After the fits had left him some days,
and after the Bleeding Blistering &cc had taken place, he took
two or three vomits, and some Catharticks, the Bark was then given
him for some time. --- Valerian Tea and Mustard seed was
afterwards made tryal of, drinking the Decoct:Lign: for
common drink. --- by this course he recover'd the use of his
limbs so that in a few week's he was able to walk about the
Room, but his memory, & Judgment lost, his speech so much
impeded that nothing he say's can be understood. -- The fits
now generally return once a month, or every 4 weeks, but
keep no regular Period, but are very slight, and does not conti¬
nue more than a few seconds. --- The appetite now natural
altho he is much emaciated, he is kept to regular hours with re¬
gard to sleep, Exercise &cc but his speech, memory, judgement,
hearing &cc all lost. --- Gum assafœtid: Pills with Castor
& Cinnabar & aromatic Bitters have been given - The head is
kept Closs shaved, and washed with water & venegar, three or
four times a day. --- He has an Interscapular issue with a
Pea issue in both Thighs.---

I am glad to inform you that his
excellency the Governor is much better he has taken your Pre¬
scriptions with great Regularity and he intends writing you
himself in a few days. --- Some of Mr. Mylred's
friends have been recommended to have him put into a pri¬
vate Mad House, for the Recovery of his Intellects, & Health,
and they desire your opinion upon it. -- As this Gentleman
has an Independant fortune he can well afford to pay for ad¬
vice so youll let me know your Fee; and as you may have a good
deal of Trouble in writing more direction's or Prescriptions
for him afterwards, as it is a case that is not to be made
any Change of suddenly, you must therefore make your

To
Doctor William Cullen Physician
Edinburgh

Dr Scott
Mr. Milred
March 1774