The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:1169] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: [ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN] / Regarding: Earl Thomas Kennedy (Lord Cassillis, 9th Earl of Cassillis, 4th Baronet of Culzean, 11th Lord Kennedy) (Patient) / 30 September 1775 / (Outgoing)
Copy of directions for the treatment of the Earl of Cassillis, as drawn up by Cullen when he was in attendance upon his Lordship at Culzean [Cullean] Castle. This is a copy sent to Cullen once he was back in Edinburgh, as he requests in his letter to Dr Gillespie of 6 October 1775 (ID:342). Although no cover letter can be identified, we can safely assume that this document was sent, if not actually copied, by local physician Dr Thomas Gillespie in response to that request. The document is entered on the database for 30 September, which is presumably when is was composed by Cullen, but this actual copy must have been sent to Cullen sometime after 6 October.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 4 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
[Page 4]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 1169 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/270 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 30 September 1775 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Copy of directions for the treatment of the Earl of Cassillis, as drawn up by Cullen when he was in attendance upon his Lordship at Culzean [Cullean] Castle. This is a copy sent to Cullen once he was back in Edinburgh, as he requests in his letter to Dr Gillespie of 6 October 1775 (ID:342). Although no cover letter can be identified, we can safely assume that this document was sent, if not actually copied, by local physician Dr Thomas Gillespie in response to that request. The document is entered on the database for 30 September, which is presumably when is was composed by Cullen, but this actual copy must have been sent to Cullen sometime after 6 October. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:3] |
Case of Earl Cassillis, who is fevered, weak and in a state of terminal decline; eventually includes a post-mortem report. |
7 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:549] | Patient | Earl Thomas Kennedy (Lord Cassillis, 9th Earl of Cassillis, 4th Baronet of Culzean, 11th Lord Kennedy) |
| [PERS ID:552] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Thomas Gillespie |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:542] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Mr John Bannerman |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Cullean Castle; Culzean Castle | Maybole | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
| Destination of Letter | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
For The Earl of Cassilis.
I am still perswaded that his Lordships Complaints
are Chiefly of the Rheumatic kind and would have
no more regard to the Gout than to avoid any thing
that would be very hurtful on that supposition.
When such a Rheumatic Ailment has taken
place for some time it is very liable to become chronic
and tedious but without any danger and I have no
doubt but that with a little pains we shall very soon
get the better of my Lord Cassilis's Ailments.
The measures that I think especially necessary are
the following --
1. Pains must be taken to find a medicine that will
keep the Belly regular. Purging to any degree cannot
be often repeated but at times a little of it will be of
service and I would wish to keep the Belly always open
to once a day. --
2. If the Pains should continue to recurr [and?] especial¬
ly with any Violence a Gentle Vomit might b[e] of
service and might be repeated in the course of four or
five {illeg}
3. If the Bowels are thus taken care of Opiates both
[Page 2]
externally [or?] internally may be employed with free
doses when either pain or watchfulness require them
but I would wish to employ these as seldom as possible
and if the Ailments absolutely require it I would still
prefer the Dovers Powder and under the conduct form¬
erly proposed, only I would wish my Lord should sleep less
under it than on thursday.
4. I think it will be of service to have his Lordship
as much out of Bed as he can easily bear and even
to take some motion. This indeed must be done
by degrees but it should be urged and I even think at
present there is not so much fever as to prevent my
Lord going abroad if he could bear the motion and that
care is taken with respect to Cold. I should also observe
here that tho it is probable that Lord Cassilis has been the
better of some sweating he may also be hurt if every
little sweat that breaks out upon him is encouraged
by keeping very warm. I would rather avoid
encouraging the accidental sweats which pains may
throw [out?] and rather take any pains to put them off
by {illeg} the BedCloths loose, by laying out the
Arms [a]nd even by Coming out of Bed.
5. If pains continue to recurr it will be still necessary
to treat him by topical remedies and the more proper the
more the pains are much confined to one place. However
[Page 3]
I must observe that the pains appear to me to be with
such transient attacks that our Topical remedies will
not be so effectual as we could wish and unless the pains
were to continue more constant than they were yesterday
more fixed in one place and attended with more fever I
should not think either leeches or cupping necessary.
I should Judge very much in the same with respect to blister¬
ing but I believe it may be practised with less hesitation
and may have more durable effects. If any blistering is
found necessary I would wish it applied to the nape of the neck
and before proceeding to Blister I would first try the use of
mustard in the manner explained to Mr. Bannerman
It is not possible to foresee the precise state of circumstances
that may cast up, but after the conversation we have [had?]
I have the uttmost Confidence in the skill & discretion [of?]
Dr Gillespie & Mr. Bannerman and I shall be very {illeg}
to correspond with them on every occurence and contri¬
bute whatever is in my power to my Lord Cassilis relief.
Cullean 30th. September
1775.
[Page 4]
To
Dr Willm. Cullen
Physician in
Edinburgh
✍
For Lord Cassilis
Directions.
Notes:
1: For the status of this document see footnote below.
2: See Letter ID:342 for Cullen requesting that he is sent a copy of the directions he had drawn up while on his recent visit to Culzean Castle to attend Lord Cassillis in person. This implies that this copy was sent by Dr Thomas Gillespie in answer to that request and that this apologetic note was added by Gillespie himself. See details in the main note for this document.
Diplomatic Text
For The Earl of Cassilis.
I am still perswaded that his Lordships Complaints
are Chiefly of the Rheumatic kind and would have
no more regard to the Gout than to avoid any thing
that would be very hurtful on that supposition.
When such a Rheumatic Ailment has taken
place for some time it is very liable to become chronic
and tedious but without any danger and I have no
doubt but that with a little pains we shall very soon
get the better of my Ld. Cassilis's Ailments.
The measures that I think especially necessary are
the following --
1. Pains must be taken to find a medicine that will
keep the Belly regular. Purging to any degree cannot
be often repeated but at times a little of it will be of
service and I would wish to keep the Belly always open
to once a day. --
2. If the Pains should continue to recurr [and?] especial¬
ly with any Violence a Gentle Vomit might b[e] of
service and might be repeated in the course of four or
five {illeg}
3. If the Bowels are thus taken care of Opiates both
[Page 2]
externally [or?] internally may be employed with free
doses when either pain or watchfulness require them
but I would wish to employ these as seldom as possible
and if the Ailments absolutely require it I would still
prefer the Dovers Powder and under the conduct form¬
erly proposed, only I would wish my Ld. should sleep less
under it than on thursday.
4. I think it will be of service to have his Lordship
as much out of Bed as he can easily bear and even
to take some motion. This indeed must be done
by degrees but it should be urged and I even think at
present there is not so much fever as to prevent my
Lord going abroad if he could bear the motion and that
care is taken with respect to Cold. I should also observe
here that tho it is probable that Ld. Cassilis has been the
better of some sweating he may also be hurt if every
little sweat that breaks out upon him is encouraged
by keeping very warm. I would rather avoid
encouraging the accidental sweats which pains may
throw [out?] and rather take any pains to put them off
by {illeg} the BedCloths loose, by laying out the
Arms [a]nd even by Coming out of Bed.
5. If pains continue to recurr it will be still necessary
to treat him by topical remedies and the more proper the
more the pains are much confined to one place. However
[Page 3]
I must observe that the pains appear to me to be with
such transient attacks that our Topical remedies will
not be so effectual as we could wish and unless the pains
were to continue more constant than they were yesterday
more fixed in one place and attended with more fever I
should not think either leeches or cupping necessary.
I should Judge very much in the same with respect to blister¬
ing but I believe it may be practised with less hesitation
and may have more durable effects. If any blistering is
found necessary I would wish it applied to the nape of the neck
and before proceeding to Blister I would first try the use of
mustard in the manner explained to Mr. Bannerman
It is not possible to foresee the precise state of circumstances
that may cast up, but after the conversation we have [had?]
I have the uttmost Confidence in the skill & discretion [of?]
Dr Gillespie & Mr. Bannerman and I shall be very {illeg}
to correspond with them on every occurence and contri¬
bute whatever is in my power to my Ld. Cassilis relief.
Cullean 30th. Septr.
1775.
[Page 4]
To
Dr Willm. Cullen
Physician in
Edinburgh
✍
For Lord Cassilis
Directions.
Notes:
1: For the status of this document see footnote below.
2: See Letter ID:342 for Cullen requesting that he is sent a copy of the directions he had drawn up while on his recent visit to Culzean Castle to attend Lord Cassillis in person. This implies that this copy was sent by Dr Thomas Gillespie in answer to that request and that this apologetic note was added by Gillespie himself. See details in the main note for this document.
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