The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:938] From: Mr Robert Brisbane / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: (Negro man) (Patient) / 26 November 1774 / (Incoming)
Letter from Robert Brisbane - an apothecary, medical importer and planter in Charlestown, South Carolina, - regarding a 21-22 year old male slave with epilepsy. Brisbane asks Cullen to send flowers of zinc, as '[i]t may save many a poor negro from ruin in the fire'.
- 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 | 938 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/198 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Incoming |
| Date | 26 November 1774 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Letter from Robert Brisbane - an apothecary, medical importer and planter in Charlestown, South Carolina, - regarding a 21-22 year old male slave with epilepsy. Brisbane asks Cullen to send flowers of zinc, as '[i]t may save many a poor negro from ruin in the fire'. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | Yes - Ship |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:370] |
Case of an unnamed slave with epilepsy at Charleston, South Carolina. |
1 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:453] | Author | Mr Robert Brisbane |
| [PERS ID:1] | Addressee | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:198] | Patient | (Negro man) |
| [PERS ID:538] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Alston |
| [PERS ID:453] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr Robert Brisbane |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Charleston | South Carolina | USA | North America | certain | |
| Destination of Letter | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Mentioned / Other | Bo'ness (Borness / Borrowstouneness) | Mid Scotland | Scotland | Europe | certain | |
| Mentioned / Other | Leith | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
I have a valuable Negro man at 21/2 years of age
is troubled with Epileptic Fits, these four or more years, he does not struggle nor foam
in them. About a year ago I gave him the pouder of Tin as directed by Dr Alston
it did him good keept the fits off some time, he's not under my Eye I can't be particular
but they still follow him, but not every full moon, he is sober never tasted Rum or Spirits
in his Life. I'm advised to a medcine for him much recommended by you, the Flowers
of Zink, is not to be had here. I presume upon Old familiarity 1 , you'll send me
some of it Genuine with your directions & Experienced by some of your Leith or
Bo'ness ships, the Bearer must put it in his Chest or Pocket as we must not
import any package after december 1st. It may save many a poor negro from ruin
in the fire. 2 If my Health continues as good as since I saw you last, I may see
you again in Summer, till then excuse all Ceremonie from
your most Obedient Servant
[Page 2]
Dr William Cullen
Professor of Physick
Edinburgh
February 1775. 3
Notes:
1: As detailed in the biographical notes, Robert Brisbane, a native Scot whose father was a master at Hamilton Grammar School when Cullen attended, had probably known the physician since their youth.
2: This allusion is rather obscure. Although burning was used as a punishment for slaves, it seems more likely that Brisbane is thinking of the dangers of falling into a fire (though it is possible that he is using the phrase metaphorically to indicate the 'fire' of illness).
3: Since the date on the letter, although rubbed or faded, is readable as 1774, this is probably the date the letter actually reached Cullen from Carolina.
Diplomatic Text
I have a valuable Negro man at 21/2 years of age
is troubled with Epileptic Fits, these four or more years, he does not struggle nor foam
in them. About a year ago I gave him the pouder of Tin as directed by Dr Alston
it did him good keept the fits off some time, he's not under my Eye I can't be particular
but they still follow him, but not every full moon, he is sober never tasted Rum or Spirits
in his Life. I'm advised to a medcine for him much recommedd by you, the Flowers
of Zink, is not to be had here. I presume upon Old familiarity 1 , you'll send me
some of it Genuine with your directions & Experienced by some of your Leith or
Bo=ness ships, the Bearer must put it in his Chest or Pocket as we must not
import any package after decemr. 1st. It may save many a poor negro from ruin
in the fire. 2 If my Health continues as good as since I saw you last, I may see
you again in Summer, till then excuse all Ceremonie from
your most Obedt. Sert.
[Page 2]
Dr William Cullen
Professor of Physick
Edinburgh
Febry. 1775. 3
Notes:
1: As detailed in the biographical notes, Robert Brisbane, a native Scot whose father was a master at Hamilton Grammar School when Cullen attended, had probably known the physician since their youth.
2: This allusion is rather obscure. Although burning was used as a punishment for slaves, it seems more likely that Brisbane is thinking of the dangers of falling into a fire (though it is possible that he is using the phrase metaphorically to indicate the 'fire' of illness).
3: Since the date on the letter, although rubbed or faded, is readable as 1774, this is probably the date the letter actually reached Cullen from Carolina.
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