Cullen

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

 

[ID:273] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Richard Story / Regarding: Mrs Harrison (Patient), Mrs Wyvil (Wyvill) (Patient) / 21 February 1782 / (Outgoing)

Reply, for 'Mrs Wyvil'. Addressed to Richard Story, concerning Mrs Wyvil's breast cancer. Also mentions Mrs Harrison.

Facsimile

There are 3 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 273
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/14/162
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date21 February 1782
Annotation None
TypeMachine copy
Enclosure(s) Enclosure(s) present
Autopsy No
Recipe Yes
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply, for 'Mrs Wyvil'. Addressed to Richard Story, concerning Mrs Wyvil's breast cancer. Also mentions Mrs Harrison.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:301]
Case of Mrs Wyvill who has a disease of the breast.
6
[Case ID:1344]
Case of Mrs Harrison who has a schirrous breast.
4


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:118]AddresseeDr Richard Story
[PERS ID:117]PatientMrs Harrison
[PERS ID:119]PatientMrs Wyvil (Wyvill)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:118]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Richard Story

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 Penrith North-West England Europe inferred

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Mrs Wyvil
Dear Sir


I am heartily Sorry to find that Mrs Wyvil
Still continues to be so much distressed, tho She seems to have
very exactly employed the remedies and followed the regimen ad¬
vised. I Shall be extreamly happy to contribute to her relief and
at least to moderate the violence and retard the progress of her
disease. I cannot advise her persisting any longer in the
use of the hemlock as after the trial already made I think
there is nothing to be expected from it. In place of it, as a
means both of relieving the right breast, and preventing what
She fears in the left, I would have Mrs Wyvil begin to the
antimonial Æthiops I ordered for Mrs Harrison. Let her
begin with five grain doses but by degrees increase them
to what her Stomach bears without vomiting and even without
much nausea. For the right breast I cannot advise any
better application than the ointments and carrot poultice
formerly advised but for the left breast let it be bathed twice



[Page 2]

a day with the Spirits prescribed on t'other page. The best way
of applying is by taking a fourfold piece of linnen and dipping int
in the Spirits lay neither cold nor warm, laying ↑it↑ upon the
hardness
letting it ly till dry and this twice every night and morning.
Mrs Wyvils manner of living Should be continued as hitherto
and I have no objection to the applying of Leeches as often as She
feels any unusual heat or fullness in the breast. The Malt
Infusion
and laxative Solution will also be properly continued.
I will not recommend the use of Opiates till they are absolutely
necesary but it is possible they may come to be so.


I am glad that Mrs Harrison continues to be tolerably
easy and I hope She Shall continue to be so for life. With
Compliments to both your patients. I am with great regard


Dear Sir
your most obedient servant
William Cullen

Edinburgh 21 February
1782



[Page 3]
For Mrs Wyvil

Take four ounces of Rose water, one scruple of Sugar of Lead, and two ounces each of Spirit Minderer and French brandy Mix. Label: Discutient Spirits

W. C.

21 February
1782

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Mrs Wyvil
Dear Sir


I am heartily Sorry to find that Mrs Wyvil
Still continues to be so much distressed, tho She seems to have
very exactly employed the remedies and followed the regimen ad¬
vised. I Shall be extreamly happy to contribute to her relief and
at least to moderate the violence and retard the progress of her
disease. I cannot advise her persisting any longer in the
use of the hemlock as after the trial already made I think
there is nothing to be expected from it. In place of it, as a
means both of relieving the right breast, and preventing what
She fears in the left, I would have Mrs Wyvil begin to the
Æthiops antimonialis I ordered for Mrs Harrison. Let her
begin with five grain doses but by degrees increase them
to what her Stomach bears without vomiting and even without
much nausea. For the right breast I cannot advise any
better application than the ointments and carrot poultice
formerly advised but for the left breast let it be bathed twice



[Page 2]

a day with the Spirits prescribed on t'other page. The best way
of applying is by taking a fourfold piece of linnen and dipping int
in the Spirits lay neither cold nor warm, laying ↑it↑ upon the
hardness
letting it ly till dry and this twice every night and morning.
Mrs Wyvils manner of living Should be continued as hitherto
and I have no objection to the applying of Leeches as often as She
feels any unusual heat or fullness in the breast. The Malt
Infusion
and laxative Solution will also be properly continued.
I will not recommend the use of Opiates till they are absolutely
necesary but it is possible they may come to be so.


I am glad that Mrs Harrison continues to be tolerably
easy and I hope She Shall continue to be so for life. With
Compliments to both your patients. I am with great regard


Dear Sir
your most obedient servant
William Cullen

Edinr. 21 Febry.
1782



[Page 3]
For Mrs Wyvil
W. C.

21 Febry.
1782

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