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When I wrote you to consult Dr. Cullen, the Spas¬
modic fitts returned on our patient here, generally in the Evenings.
I was obliged to go to Inveraray on Saturday 19th. March, - For
some days before that, the fitts were very frequent, & often in the
day as well as Night - In my absence, they were almost constantly
upon her, with severe headach & pain in the Stomach; she took
every night 90 drops of Laudanum, -- On Wednesday Night, when
directions for the exhibition of the Musk & Opium arrived, which
I transmitted, she took 90 drops L. L. & before Morning, being
still very uneasy 50 gtt. more. - ↑next day↑ at 7 o'Clock she took 10 grains
of the Musk; at 1 oClock she dropt asleep which continued
for 3 hours -- About 9 o'Clock I arrived, & found the fitts as fre¬
quent as before - she had a Moisture upon her palms & soles &
a gentle kindly glow all over her -- the pulse regular & easy at
70 - The Opiate was repeated, & the Musk in the Morning, as
before - The intervalls of the fitts longer, often 20 minutes, & her
other pains easier - She Slept several hours in the Evening, & the
opiate repeated as before -- On Saturday Morning 26th. She took 15 gr.
of the Musk, but soon after her Stomach rejected it, & some very viscid
Phlegm with it - she felt disordered all day, the pain in her head & Bowels
encreased, but the fitts less Violent & with intervalls of near an hour
her palms & soles Moist, & a glow all over; pulse sometimes
above 90 - being Costive a laxative pill was given, with good effect,
but the Operation prevented the exhibition of the Opiate in the Even¬
ing --- Sunday 27th. Slept none, but had no fitts since 11 oClock last
night -- took 15 gr. Musk which was retained, but had frequent inclina¬
tions to puke - her pulse about 70 - towards Evening had a gentle
Moisture over her body, & slept 2 or 3 hours -- About ½ ℔ saliva was
discharged in an hour or two - frequent sick & faint fitts with inward
tremblings [as she expressed it?] (which she often felt before) & Globus came

Tho' the frequency & duration of the Spasmodic fitts are much
the same yet I think their violence is less, for formerly the extremities were alternately
contracted & extented & the Back so much affected as to be raised, resting upon the
head & heels - She now remains quiet & almost always extended - I hope it will be
found the opiates has been given with some freedom, but as it is difficult to prevail
in favour of the Injection, it was often necessary to repeat it in draughts-
Two drams of the Musk has been given & from the two last doses remark¬
able effects have appeared - And I will be happy to have any further
directions Dr Cullen may think proper - In the meantime I will
follow the former prescription & carefully pursue any advantage may
be gained by it - As the laxative pill did its office so well I did not propose
the Ol. Ricini being rather a more unpleasant medicine, & being obliged to use
every Argument for what has been done --- The Urine is very scarce and
the pain & difficulty in voiding it, always very severe - The Spt Nitr. dulc.
often eases, but the warm Bath almost always gave instant Relief --
I believe my expression with regard to the Bark, in my former letter was
too vague, for the intervalls in which it was given were at first, when
they extended to three or four days; she took none since the fitts came on
every day -- I can hardly say what Nourishment She takes a tea cupful
of thin water gruel being almost all in the day, & perhaps once in three
or four days she fancys a few raisins -- -- I shall expect to hear from
you in course or very soon after -- If more Musk is ordered, send me
some as I would rather trust to it than my own - This family & our
patient in particular joins me in best wishes for your prosperity And
believe me always

Mr. Ivee Campbell
Care of Mr. James Stewart Druggist
Edinr.

Mr. Robt. Ochiltree
C. Miss Campbell
of Dunstaffnage
April 1785
V. XVII. p.16