Cullen

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

 

[ID:4183] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Alexander Douglas (Sir Alexander Douglas of Glenbervie) / Regarding: Dr Alexander Douglas (Sir Alexander Douglas of Glenbervie) (Patient) / 28 October 1777 / (Outgoing)

Reply, 'Sir Alexr. Douglas Dundee'

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[Page 2]


 
 

Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 4183
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/10/40
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date28 October 1777
Annotation None
TypeScribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry)
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply, 'Sir Alexr. Douglas Dundee'
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:944]
Case of Alexander Douglas, physician at Dundee, concerning his own bladder complaint.
1


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:546]AddresseeDr Alexander Douglas (Sir Alexander Douglas of Glenbervie)
[PERS ID:546]PatientDr Alexander Douglas (Sir Alexander Douglas of Glenbervie)
[PERS ID:1335]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Nathaniel Spens, Spence
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:546]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Alexander Douglas (Sir Alexander Douglas of Glenbervie)
[PERS ID:1335]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendDr Nathaniel Spens, Spence

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 Dundee East Highlands Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Sir Alexander Douglas Dundee
Dear Sir


Some indisposition which I have been
under for some days past, and other accidents
prevented me from answering you in course, tho
I shall be extremely desirous to shew my inclination
to serve you as far as it is in my power. ---


I think I know your disease, & it is not a stone
in the
bladder but a catarrhus viscid depending
upon gout determined to the neck of the bladder
by some previous ailments in that part. This may
possibly be new to you but I have had many
instances of it & have some at present. When the
disease gives considerable obstruction & threatens suppression of
urine
bougies may be necessary but when the disease
is fairly gouty they give no durable relief & very
often do harm. I would therefore have you more
sparing of them than you have been. The only
certain relief you can expect is from the gout
coming into your feet, but how to determine it there
I cannot tell you. If you had no feelings of it at all
I should advise you to bathing and blistering, but
as you have frequent darting pains I cannot
advise you to either remedy as I know they can
turn away pains that have a tendency to the feet.
All I can advise with a view to bring on gout is
to avoid accesent meats. & drinks weak wines &
every thing that can weaken the tone of the



[Page 2]

Stomach. For relieving your uneasiness at the neck
of the bladder
, the only medecine I have found benefitt
from is Uva Ursi taken in powder from one to
three drams every day taking it [par reprises?] &
washing down each dose with a draught of some
chalybeate water warmed by the addition of a
little warm water. With this I join frequent
opiates at bedtime but taking care to prevent
costiveness by proper laxatives & I think the
Castor oil one of the best. This is all I can
suggest at present and heartily wish for it's
success. I can see no use for your coming to
Edinburgh. I have consulted with your friend
Dr. Spens and am happy to find him concurr
in every part of my opinion & advice. If I can
at any time advise further you will always
find me ready to do it, being with great
regargd Sir your most obedient Servant

W.C.

Edinburgh October 28.
1777.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Sir Alexr. Douglas Dundee
Dear Sir


Some indisposition which I have been
under for some days past, and other accidents
prevented me from answering you in course, tho
I shall be extremely desirous to shew my inclination
to serve you as far as it is in my power. ---


I think I know your disease, & it is not a stone
in the
bladder but a catarrhus viscid depending
upon gout determined to the neck of the bladder
by some previous ailments in that part. This may
possibly be new to you but I have had many
instances of it & have some at present. When ye
disease gives considerable obstruction & threatens suppression of
urine
bougies may be necessary but when the disease
is fairly gouty they give no durable relief & very
often do harm. I would therefore have you more
sparing of them than you have been. The only
certain relief you can expect is from the gout
coming into your feet, but how to determine it there
I cannot tell you. If you had no feelings of it at all
I should advise you to bathing and blistering, but
as you have frequent darting pains I cannot
advise you to either remedy as I know they can
turn away pains that have a tendency to the feet.
All I can advise with a view to bring on gout is
to avoid accesent meats. & drinks weak wines &
every thing that can weaken the tone of the



[Page 2]

Stomach. For relieving your uneasiness at the neck
of the bladder
, the only medecine I have found benefitt
from is Uva Ursi taken in powder from one to
three drams every day taking it [par reprises?] &
washing down each dose with a draught of some
chalybeate water warmed by the addition of a
little warm water. With this I join frequent
opiates at bedtime but taking care to prevent
costiveness by proper laxatives & I think the
Castor oil one of the best. This is all I can
suggest at present and heartily wish for it's
success. I can see no use for your coming to
Edinr:. I have consulted with your friend
Dr. Spens and am happy to find him concurr
in every part of my opinion & advice. If I can
at any time advise further you will always
find me ready to do it, being with great
regargd Sir your most obedt. Servt.

W.C.

Edinr: Octr. 28.
1777.

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