Cullen

The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

 

[ID:1400] From: Dr John Alves / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mrs Baillie (of Lamington) (Patient) / 3 May 1777 / (Incoming)

Letter from John Alves concerning the case of Mrs Baillie.

Facsimile

There are 4 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 1400
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/496
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date3 May 1777
Annotation None
TypeAuthorial original
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter from John Alves concerning the case of Mrs Baillie.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:175]
Case of Mrs Baillie who caught a cold, then got chilled in church and is now feverish.
4


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:148]AuthorDr John Alves
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:1732]PatientMrs Baillie (of Lamington)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:148]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr John Alves

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Inverness North Highlands Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Balnagown Kildary North Highlands Scotland Europe certain
Place of Handstamp Inverness North Highlands Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Inverness 3d May 1777
Dear Sir


I was duely favour'd with your
Opinion & advice for Mrs Baillie, and very happy
to find it coincide intirely with my own. Two
days after I wrote you the feverish symptoms
abated, the Cough was trifling & of short du¬
ration & what distress'd her most was a daily
return of the Meagrim which lasted for several
hours. She was taken out of bed every day,
and treated in every respect as you propos'd
only that she was strongly prejudiced against
being bled at the Temple by Leeches and would
not admit of it tho' it was mention'd, nor would
she hear of nauseating doses of Emeticks. Being
however free for two days from heat, sweatings,



[Page 2]

and thirst, from sickness also or much uneasyness
of any kind, passing the nights well, her tongue
moist & a sediment in her Urine, I gave her the
Bark & Valerian to relieve her headach, tho' there
was still a frequency in her pulse. This had
the desird effect in a few days, lessening con¬
siderably the pain & duration of the fits, her
appetite & strength returning gradualy at the
same time, yet still a frequent pulse. I left
her in this state last Sunday, and have not
heard from Balnagown since till this day that
I receiv'd a letter dated indeed last wednesday
by which I find that since I left her, she has
had some heat in the palms of her hands,
which tho' inconsiderable makes her uneasy least
it should increase & her former complaints return
Her headach was easier. I imagine her stomach
is foul again, & I have directed that the Vomit


[Page 3]

be repeated immediatly. I cannot depend much
upon the information I get, & ↑therefor↑ think of making
her another Visit in a few days. I shall expect
upon my return to receive a few lines in
answer to this, & you will please say what I
am to do with this feverishness should it still
hang about her, & with the hemicrania, should
it continue or incrase. She had an open
Belly when I left her, and the Bark
had a tendency to go downwards when
the dose was above 15 grains Her Diet consisted
of chicken Broth, a glass or two of Hartshorn
gelly
in the day, Bread & gelly or marmalade
Gruel &.ce -- She had not returned to animal
food, tho' I allow'd her some chicken or Lamb
if she chose it. As the weather has now taken
a favourable turn, would you approve of her being
carried out in the Chaise? You will excuse my
being so particular, as it will give great satisfaction


[Page 4]

to Mrs Baillie & her friends that they know she is
going on by your Directions. I always am with great
regard


Dear Sir your most obedient servant
John Alves


To
Doctor Willm. Cullen
Physician
in Edinburgh.


Dr Alves Concerning
Mrs Baillie
May 3d 1777
Vol. VII p.21

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Inverness 3d May 1777
Dear Sir


I was duely favour'd with your
Opinion & advice for Mrs Baillie, and very happy
to find it coincide intirely with my own. Two
days after I wrote you the feverish symptoms
abated, the Cough was trifling & of short du¬
ration & what distress'd her most was a daily
return of the Meagrim which lasted for several
hours. She was taken out of bed every day,
and treated in every respect as you propos'd
only that she was strongly prejudiced against
being bled at the Temple by Leeches and would
not admit of it tho' it was mention'd, nor would
she hear of nauseating doses of Emeticks. Being
however free for two days from heat, sweatings,



[Page 2]

and thirst, from sickness also or much uneasyness
of any kind, passing the nights well, her tongue
moist & a sediment in her Urine, I gave her the
Bark & Valerian to relieve her headach, tho' there
was still a frequency in her pulse. This had
the desird effect in a few days, lessening con¬
siderably the pain & duration of the fits, her
appetite & strength returning gradualy at the
same time, yet still a frequent pulse. I left
her in this state last Sunday, and have not
heard from Balnagown since till this day that
I receiv'd a letter dated indeed last wednesday
by which I find that since I left her, she has
had some heat in the palms of her hands,
which tho' inconsiderable makes her uneasy least
it should increase & her former complaints return
Her headach was easier. I imagine her stomach
is foul again, & I have directed that the Vomit


[Page 3]

be repeated immediatly. I cannot depend much
upon the information I get, & ↑therefor↑ think of making
her another Visit in a few days. I shall expect
upon my return to receive a few lines in
answer to this, & you will please say what I
am to do with this feverishness should it still
hang about her, & with the hemicrania, should
it continue or incrase. She had an open
Belly when I left her, and the Bark
had a tendency to go downwards when
the dose was above 15 gr: Her Diet consisted
of chicken Broth, a glass or two of Hartshorn
gelly
in the day, Bread & gelly or marmalade
Gruel &.ce -- She had not returned to animal
food, tho' I allow'd her some chicken or Lamb
if she chose it. As the weather has now taken
a favourable turn, would you approve of her being
carried out in the Chaise? You will excuse my
being so particular, as it will give great satisfaction


[Page 4]

to Mrs Baillie & her friends that they know she is
going on by your Directions. I always am with great
regard


Dr Sir your most obt servt
John Alves


To
Doctor Willm. Cullen
Physician
in Edinburgh.


Dr Alves C
Mrs Baillie
May 3d 1777
Vol. VII p.21

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