The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:205] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr / Regarding: Sir Robert Henderson (4th Baronet of Fordell) (Patient) / 12 October 1781 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'For Sir Robert Henderson'. Cullen gives directions for Sir Robert Henderson to take medicines apparently already given, for 'promoting the discharge of urine' and with related advice on food and drink The unnamed recipient is probably another of Henderson's physicians, possibly Dr. Matthew Dobson of Bath who wrote another letter in this case, or another of his (unnamed) physicians in Bath. But since Bath is not mentioned in the letter, the more generic unnamed'Sir Robert Henderson's physician' has been linked to the document.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 205 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/14/91 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 12 October 1781 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'For Sir Robert Henderson'. Cullen gives directions for Sir Robert Henderson to take medicines apparently already given, for 'promoting the discharge of urine' and with related advice on food and drink The unnamed recipient is probably another of Henderson's physicians, possibly Dr. Matthew Dobson of Bath who wrote another letter in this case, or another of his (unnamed) physicians in Bath. But since Bath is not mentioned in the letter, the more generic unnamed'Sir Robert Henderson's physician' has been linked to the document. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1364] |
Case of Sir Robert Henderson visiting Bath who has a gouty condition and a swollen limb. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:3717] | Addressee | Dr |
| [PERS ID:176] | Patient | Sir Robert Henderson (4th Baronet of Fordell) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:3717] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr |
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 |
| Destination of Letter | Bath | South-West | England | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
For Sir Robert Henderson Baronet
In the present circumstances of Sir Roberts ailments
the measures to be chiefly pursued are those for promoting
the discharge of Urine. For this purpose he is at pre¬
sent provided with Some proper medicines. One is the
Cream of Tartar of which he Should ↑take↑ a dose every day, as
much as will lie upon two Shillings.
Another medicine for the Same purpose are the Nitre
Powders of which he Should take one every night and
morning.
If these medicines give a Stool every day he need not
take any other laxative medicine but if a whole day
passes without a Stool he Should then instead of the
Simple doses of Nitre take the Nitre with Rhubarb
both at night and morning.
If even these doses of Rhubarb Shall fail to move
the belly then and then only he may have recourse to the
Laxative Pills which I formerly prescribed for him.
[Page 2]
While Sir Robert continues to be restless in the night
he may continue to take every night at bedtime a dose of
the Anodyne Drops. As they are now prepared a Single
tea Spoonfull is the proper dose.
If at any time Sir Robert Should be warmer than usual
he may take a dose or two of the fixed Air Solution with
Lemon Juice which is not only cooling but often also a good
Diuretic. The proper manner of using it is this. To two
table Spoonfulls of the Solution{illeg} put two table Spoonfulls
of Spring water and let this mixture be Swallowed by itself
and immediately after let a half or three fourths of a table
Spoonfull of lemon juice mixed with two or three table -
Spoonfulls of water be also Swallowed.
In drink of any kind Sir Robert Should be as moderate
as possible but when thirst is very urgent let him take
a small quantity of water made acid with Spirit of Vitriol
A glass or two of wine is not improper for Sir Robert and
the kind most fit is Hock or a very good Rhenish. ---
[Page 3]
In diet Sir Robert may have his choice avoiding --
heavier kinds of food and observing that ↑a↑ full meal of any
kind is very improper.
The rubbing the right leg with warm flannels Should
be practised several times a day rubbing always from
below upwards. The Swelling is at present too
great for a laced Stocking but a bandage properly ap¬
plied might be usefull
Edinburgh 12th October
1781
Diplomatic Text
For Sir Robert Henderson Bart.
In the present circumstances of Sir Roberts ailments
the measures to be chiefly pursued are those for promoting
the discharge of Urine. For this purpose he is at pre¬
sent provided with Some proper medicines. One is the
Cream of Tartar of which he Should ↑take↑ a dose every day, as
much as will lie upon two Shillings.
Another medicine for the Same purpose are the Nitre
Powders of which he Should take one every night and
morning.
If these medicines give a Stool every day he need not
take any other laxative medicine but if a whole day
passes without a Stool he Should then instead of the
Simple doses of Nitre take the Nitre with Rhubarb
both at night and morning.
If even these doses of Rhubarb Shall fail to move
the belly then and then only he may have recourse to the
Laxative Pills which I formerly prescribed for him.
[Page 2]
While Sir Robert continues to be restless in the night
he may continue to take every night at bedtime a dose of
the Anodyne Drops. As they are now prepared a Single
tea Spoonfull is the proper dose.
If at any time Sir Robert Should be warmer than usual
he may take a dose or two of the fixed Air Solution with
Lemon Juice which is not only cooling but often also a good
Diuretic. The proper manner of using it is this. To two
table Spoonfulls of the Solution{illeg} put two table Spoonfulls
of Spring water and let this mixture be Swallowed by itself
and immediately after let a half or three fourths of a table
Spoonfull of lemon juice mixed with two or three table -
Spoonfulls of water be also Swallowed.
In drink of any kind Sir Robert Should be as moderate
as possible but when thirst is very urgent let him take
a small quantity of water made acid with Spirit of Vitriol
A glass or two of wine is not improper for Sir Robert and
the kind most fit is Hock or a very good Rhenish. ---
[Page 3]
In diet Sir Robert may have his choice avoiding --
heavier kinds of food and observing that ↑a↑ full meal of any
kind is very improper.
The rubbing the right leg with warm flannels Should
be practised several times a day rubbing always from
below upwards. The Swelling is at present too
great for a laced Stocking but a bandage properly ap¬
plied might be usefull
Edinr. 12th October
1781
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