The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:4591] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) / Regarding: Mr Alexander Craig (Patient) / 3 April 1780 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'Dr Stevenson C[oncerning] Mr Craig'. Cullen does not advise blistering anasarcous legs, but does not yet think it is time to puncture. He discusses several remedies, and encloses a recipe.
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- Normalized Text
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Facsimile
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[Page 1]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 4591 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/12/158 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 3 April 1780 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'Dr Stevenson C[oncerning] Mr Craig'. Cullen does not advise blistering anasarcous legs, but does not yet think it is time to puncture. He discusses several remedies, and encloses a recipe. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:471] |
Case of Mr Alexander Craig who has swollen legs. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:563] | Addressee | Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) |
| [PERS ID:3013] | Patient | Mr Alexander Craig |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:563] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Alexander Stevenson (Professor; of Dalgairn ) |
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 | Glasgow | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Dr Stevenson Concerning Mr Craig. ––––
I have a great aversion to blistering anasarcous legs; but not
so much to Punctures, but even these may be troublesome
& I cannot think that Mr Craigs swelling is yet so great as
to require it – I think indeed a topical evacuation may be
necessary, but I think it is seldom of much service –
What I have the best opinion of is Issues put in below
the knee, but even about these I think you may deliberate
The Dovers Powder formerly tried had but little effect
but I believe that was owing to the smallness of the Dose
and now as you know him to bear Opiates so well, there
will be no occasion for the same reserve –– Unless therefore
there was some objection for the last trial which I do not recol–
lect I think you might try it again in a Dose of 25 grains
He does not seem to bear the Purgative well, but if you
shall be tempted to repeat it, I would have you to give the
Calomel & Jalap together in the morning for there is nothing
but a tolerable short smart operation that can be of service
As the urine is falling off I would willingly try the following
Diuretic instead of the Bitters & Steel the assistance of which will
come too slow.
Take 2 drachms of Gentian Root, a drachm of Orange Peel and ½ a drachm of Coriander Seed. Having crushed them, pour over a pint of boiling water. Steep overnight and add ½ an ounce of Salt of Tartar. After it has settled, strain through paper, and after straining, add 2 ounces of Composite Juniper Water. Mix. Label: of this a table spoonfull two or three times a day & if his stomach bears it increase the size & frequency of the Doses be increased or the proportion of the Salt of tartar. ––––
Diplomatic Text
Dr Stevenson C Mr Craig. ––––
I have a great aversion to blistering anasarcous legs; but not
so much to Punctures, but even these may be troublesome
& I cannot think that Mr Craigs swelling is yet so great as
to require it – I think indeed a topical evacuation may be
necessary, but I think it is seldom of much service –
What I have the best opinion of is Issues put in below
the knee, but even about these I think you may deliberate
The Dovers Powder formerly tried had but little effect
but I believe that was owing to the smallness of the Dose
and now as you know him to bear Opiates so well, there
will be no occasion for the same reserve –– Unless therefore
there was some objection for the last trial which I do not recol–
lect I think you might try it again in a Dose of 25 grains
He does not seem to bear the Purgative well, but if you
shall be tempted to repeat it, I would have you to give the
Calomel & Jalap together in the morning for there is nothing
but a tolerable short smart operation that can be of service
As the urine is falling off I would willingly try the following
Diuretic instead of the Bitters & Steel the assistance of which will
come too slow.
℞ Rad. gentian. ʒij
Cort. aurant. ʒj
Sem. coriandr. ʒſs
Contusis affunde Aq. bull. lbj Digere per noctem et adde
Sal. tartar. ℥ſs
et post subsidentiam per chartam cola et colato adde
Aq. juniper. compt. ℥ij
ℳ. Sig. of this a table spoonfull two or three times a day & if his
stomach bears it increase the size & frequency of the Doses be increased
or the proportion of the Salt of tartar. ––––
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