The Cullen Project | [Case ID:1326]: Case of William Duguid who has had extensive treatments for a venereal infection (named in one letter as syphilis) but whose current disorders are attributed to a nervous weakness of his lower spine. He later develops a bony 'excrescence' on his shin.

[Case ID:1326]: Case of William Duguid who has had extensive treatments for a venereal infection (named in one letter as syphilis) but whose current disorders are attributed to a nervous weakness of his lower spine. He later develops a bony 'excrescence' on his shin.

Documents in this case

10 document(s) found in this case.

DOC ID	Summary	Date
[DOC ID:1999]	Letter from William Duguid, a Glasgow merchant (associate of John Wallace of Cessnock), concerning his own case. He contracted a venereal infection (named as syphilis in Doc 4647) in September 1779, for which he underwent mercury treatment. He now suffers from numbness in the legs and feet, difficulty walking, and sometimes 'deafishness' and confusion.	7 April 1781

[DOC ID:118]	Reply 'For Mr Duguid'; listed, possibly erroneously, as 'Dr Erskine's Case' in the volume index. Cullen regards Duguid's condition 'as entirely a Nervous weakness depending on some affection of the lower part of the Medulla Spinalis'. He advises blistering, anointing with oil, and the use of the flesh-brush. Electricity and bathing are also suggested. He gives advice on diet and lifestyle, and a recipe for the oil.	15 April 1781

[DOC ID:2006]	Letter from William Duguid, concerning his own case. He has been following some of Cullen's instructions (Doc ID 118), regarding the use of the oil and blistering, but has not tried the hot bath or the electricity. He describes the stockings he wears to keep his legs and feet warm: 'I wear through the Night white worsted stockings & in the day a pair of stockings made of lamb wool (the Hosier sells them by the Name of Swanskin hose) white & very Warm with other stockings over them'.	27 April 1781

[DOC ID:126]	Reply to Mr [William] Duguid concerning his continuing recovery and the need to keep following earlier advice; 'I would rather write ten letters than retard a cure for ten minutes'.	28 April 1781

[DOC ID:212]	Reply 'For Mr D----d', discussing subsequent treatment for sores after mercurial cures for venereal disease. A prescription for a lotion is given. The patient is most likely Mr Duguid.	27 October 1781

[DOC ID:2087]	Letter from William Duguid, concerning his own case. Since his return from seeing Cullen in Edinburgh, his sores are larger and more painful; those on the penis make walking difficult. He has been consulting Dr Marshall, who is currently unwell, so has not been out to see him, and Mr Stenhouse, who visits daily.	1 November 1781

[DOC ID:2091]	Letter from William Duguid, concerning his own case, and talking further about the advice he has had from Marshall and Stenhouse. Letter possibly hand-delivered by a Mr Ferguson, whose name is mentioned on the cover. Someone has written a sum on the cover (not transcribed).	10 November 1781

[DOC ID:620]	Reply, 'Mr Duguid', suggesting he continue with the lotion and bandage he is already using.	15 August 1782

[DOC ID:4647]	Reply, for 'Mr Duguid'. Letter to a medical professional whom Cullen calls 'Dear Robert' (probably Robert Marshall), concerning 'your patient Mr Duguid', whom Cullen saw in person, regarding a 'bony excrescence' on the shin. Cullen notes the patient's history of syphilis, and advises him to observe if any other symptoms of the disease occur. In the meantime, he gives advice on bathing and dressing the growth.	16 June 1783

[DOC ID:5906]	Reply, for 'Mr Duguid'. Mr Duguid suffers from nervous weakness. Cullen gives advice on using strengthening powders, for which a prescription is prescribed.	1 November 1789

People involved in this case

8 found.

PERS ID	Full Name
[PERS ID: 3743]	Dr
[PERS ID: 3744]	Mr
[PERS ID: 1]	Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID: 78]	Mr William Duguid
[PERS ID: 3741]	Mr Ferguson
[PERS ID: 1829]	Dr Robert Marshall
[PERS ID: 2701]	Dr Alexander Stenhouse
[PERS ID: 3742]	Mr John Wallace (of Cessnock)

Unique Places linked to this Case

5 found.

Type	Specific Place	Village/Town/City (aka)	Region	Country	Continent	Confidence
Specific	Cullen's House / Mint Close	Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place		Glasgow	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place		Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place		Aberdeenshire	East Highlands	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place		Cessnock	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	certain

Places and role of place

8 found.

Type	Role	Specific Place	Village/Town/City (aka)	Region	Country	Continent	Confidence
Specific	Place of Writing	Cullen's House / Mint Close	Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Place of Writing		Glasgow	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Destination of Letter		Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	inferred
Place	Destination of Letter		Glasgow	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	inferred
Place	Mentioned / Other		Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Mentioned / Other		Aberdeenshire	East Highlands	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Mentioned / Other		Cessnock	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Place of Handstamp		Glasgow	Glasgow and West	Scotland	Europe	certain