The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:1486] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Anonymous / Regarding: Mrs Marion Cathcart (Buchan) (of Genoch and Knockdolian; Mrs Ross ) (Patient), Anonymous (Patient) / 12 February 1778 / (Outgoing)
Reply, a draft in Cullen's own handwriting for an unnamed female patient [almost certainly Mrs Cathcart] with spasmodic asthma.
- 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 | 1486 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/580 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 12 February 1778 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, a draft in Cullen's own handwriting for an unnamed female patient [almost certainly Mrs Cathcart] with spasmodic asthma. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1096] |
Case of an unnamed female patient with spasmodic asthma, only known form Cullen's loose, draft reply. |
1 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2328] | Addressee | |
| [PERS ID:2248] | Patient | Mrs Marion Cathcart (of Genoch and Knockdolian; Mrs Ross ) |
| [PERS ID:2328] | Patient | |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Cullen's House / Mint Close | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
After attentively considering all the Circumstances of
the Case I am of Opinion that the Disease is a Spasmodic
Asthma, which is indeed difficult to cure; but I hope it may be
done or at least greatly relieved.
Bleeding seems necessary to give immediate Relief; but
it does not appear to have any Effect in preventing the Return of
Paroxysms; and it is not said how fal far bleeding shortens the
fits and which I suppose would go off of themselves after some
hours. Tho I cannot absolutely forbid bleeding in the Case of
Pain, which seems to admit of no other Relief, yet I am persuaded
that such frequent Bleedings, must do harm to the Constitution
and perhaps aggravate the Disease, they are intended to relieve.
I would advise therefore advise them to be avoided if possible,
at least to be employed very seldom and in as small Quantity
as can any wise answer the purpose.
I am told that Medicines have been employed, but of what
kind is not said. If they have not been tried & found ineffectual
or hurtful, I expect that Opiates given immediately before the
coming on of a Fit may prevent them, or at least moderate
them greatly; & if it shall be found that they give any Relief
I would advise the repeating of them at the same Periods in
larger & larger doses; but continuing the use of them no longer
[Page 2]
than is necessary; but when any considerable Relief is
obtained, withdrawing the Opiates by degrees, both by
diminishing the Doses and by increasing the Intervals.
If the Opiate from former experience is not admissible
or shall not answer as well as I expect, another Antispasmo¬
dic must be tried; and the most promising is Musk if can
be procured of a good quality, which is indeed very necessary
as what is commonly to be had is good for little. If it is em¬
ployed it should be in large Doses from ten to twenty Grains.
These are the only Medicines I can now propose. From
an Expression in the Account sent me I would imagine there
had been some particular Change made in her Diet and if
that has been found usefull I would have it continued, what¬
ever it is; but I must at the same time give it as my Opi¬
nion that a very light Diet is the most proper & particu¬
larly milk with different farinaceous matters; but instead
of plain Milk, I wo would have her always use Milk
diluted with an equal part of thin Water Gruel or Bar¬
ley Water sweetening the whole very well with Sugar ----
I forgot to say above, that I would wish to have it tried
[Page 3]
how far, taking a little Blood from the pained part of
the Side when the Paroxysm comes on by cupping and
scarifying will relieve the Pain and supersede a bleeding
at the Arm
W.C. --
Edinburgh 12.. February
1778
[Page 4]
✍
February 12th.. 1778
Diplomatic Text
After attentively considering all the Circumstances of
the Case I am of Opinion that the Disease is a Spasmodic
Asthma, which is indeed difficult to cure; but I hope it may be
done or at least greatly relieved.
Bleeding seems necessary to give immediate Relief; but
it does not appear to have any Effect in preventing the Return of
Paroxysms; and it is not said how fal far bleeding shortens the
fits and which I suppose would go off of themselves after some
hours. Tho I cannot absolutely forbid bleeding in the Case of
Pain, which seems to admit of no other Relief, yet I am persuaded
that such frequent Bleedings, must do harm to the Constitution
and perhaps aggravate the Disease, they are intended to relieve.
I would advise therefore advise them to be avoided if possible,
at least to be employed very seldom and in as small Quantity
as can any wise answer the purpose.
I am told that Medicines have been employed, but of what
kind is not said. If they have not been tried & found ineffectual
or hurtful, I expect that Opiates given immediately before the
coming on of a Fit may prevent them, or at least moderate
them greatly; & if it shall be found that they give any Relief
I would advise the repeating of them at the same Periods in
larger & larger doses; but continuing the use of them no longer
[Page 2]
than is necessary; but when any considerable Relief is
obtained, withdrawing the Opiates by degrees, both by
diminishing the Doses and by increasing the Intervals.
If the Opiate from former experience is not admissible
or shall not answer as well as I expect, another Antispasmo¬
dic must be tried; and the most promising is Musk if can
be procured of a good quality, which is indeed very necessary
as what is commonly to be had is good for little. If it is em¬
ployed it should be in large Doses from ten to twenty Grains.
These are the only Medicines I can now propose. From
an Expression in the Account sent me I would imagine there
had been some particular Change made in her Diet and if
that has been found usefull I would have it continued, what¬
ever it is; but I must at the same time give it as my Opi¬
nion that a very light Diet is the most proper & particu¬
larly milk with different farinaceous matters; but instead
of plain Milk, I wo would have her always use Milk
diluted with an equal part of thin Water Gruel or Bar¬
ley Water sweetening the whole very well with Sugar ----
I forgot to say above, that I would wish to have it tried
[Page 3]
how far, taking a little Blood from the pained part of
the Side when the Paroxysm comes on by cupping and
scarifying will relieve the Pain and supersede a bleeding
at the Arm
W.C. --
Edinr.. 12.. Febry..
1778
[Page 4]
✍
Feby. 12th.. 1778
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