The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:4470] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr William Mitchell / Regarding: Mr Alexander Wright (Patient) / 9 July 1779 / (Outgoing)
Reply headed 'Dr Mitchell C. Mr Wright', who has dropsy and discussing removing the fluid either by sweating or, if necessary, by surgical drainage.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 2 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 4470 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/12/37 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 9 July 1779 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply headed 'Dr Mitchell C. Mr Wright', who has dropsy and discussing removing the fluid either by sweating or, if necessary, by surgical drainage. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1106] |
Case of Mr Alexander Wright who has an oedema (dropsy), manifest as fluid retention in his abdomen attributed to his habitual heavy drinking. |
4 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2622] | Addressee | Dr William Mitchell |
| [PERS ID:2723] | Patient | Mr Alexander Wright |
| [PERS ID:2622] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Mitchell |
| [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 |
| Destination of Letter | Dundee | East Highlands | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
Dr Mitchell Concerning Mr Wright.
I am concerned for the obstinacy of your
Patients disease but not much surprised at it.
Altho the remedies you have employed were the
most promising this is not the first case in
which they have disapointed us. I am of your
opinion that in this case our Diuretics may be
impotent and that Drastic Purgatives can hardly
be employed. I shall therefore say nothing more
about them but leave it entirely with your good
judgement to employ them or let them alone as
circumstances may suggest and in the meantime
shall nor propose another course to you.
We have lately had several successful experiments
in the Care of the Dropsy by sweating, excited by Dovers
Powder and I think you may safely try it with Mr
Wright.
For the management of this process I dare say
I need not offer you any directions you will begin
with a moderate dose of fifteen or twenty grains
at first giving it in the morning and continuing
the sweat thro' the day. with as little external
heat as can answer the purpose. The practice
if the Patient bears it tolerably must be repeated
several times, at the interval of one two or three days
more or less frequntly as your trials shall direct.
The Paracentisis promises no call Cure and as I
think is only to be practiced for a little temperary
relief in very urgent cases and then too with a great
[Page 2]
deal of hazard.
with regard to drawing off the Water from the
legs it may be practised with more safety and
advantage. but I think it can be done by punctures
of a sharp pointed Lancet, better then by the Scar¬
ificator- but this I leave to your discretion and
have only to say two things, first, that you will
probably try the Sweating Course, before you proceed
to the Scarification and secondly that in a bad habit
you will beware of the Erysipelus and its conseque
consequences which you seem to be acquainted
with - but I have said more than eneough to you
&c &c
Edinburgh July 9th
1779
Diplomatic Text
Dr Mitchell C Mr Wright.
I am concerned for the obstinacy of your
Patients disease but not much surprised at it.
Altho the remedies you have employed were the
most promising this is not the first case in
which they have disapointed us. I am of your
opinion that in this case our Diuretics may be
impotent and that Drastic Purgatives can hardly
be employed. I shall therefore say nothing more
about them but leave it entirely w your good
judgement to employ them or let them alone as
circumstances may suggest and in the meantime
shall nor propose another course to you.
We have lately had several successful experiments
in the Care of the Dropsy by sweating, excited by Dovers
Powder and I think you may safely try it with Mr
Wright.
For the management of this process I dare say
I need not offer you any directions you will begin
with a moderate dose of fifteen or twenty grains
at first giving it in the morning and continuing
the sweat thro' the day. with as little external
heat as can answer the purpose. The practice
if the Patient bears it tolerably must be repeated
several times, at the interval of one two or three days
more or less frequntly as your trials shall direct.
The Paracentisis promises no call Cure and as I
think is only to be practiced for a little temperary
relief in very urgent cases and then too with a great
[Page 2]
deal of hazard.
with regard to drawing off the Water from the
legs it may be practised with more safety and
advantage. but I think it can be done by punctures
of a sharp pointed Lancet, better then by the Scar¬
ificator- but this I leave to your discretion and
have only to say two things, first, that you will
probably try the Sweating Course, before you proceed
to the Scarification and secondly that in a bad habit
you will beware of the Erysipelus and its conseque
consequences which you seem to be acquainted
with - but I have said more than eneough to you
&c &c
Edinr July 9th
1779
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