The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:5785] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr J. Walker / Regarding: Mr Sowermire (Sowermier) (Patient) / 20 February 1789 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'Mr Sowermier'
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 5785 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/21/57 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 20 February 1789 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine scribal copy |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'Mr Sowermier' |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:2276] |
Case of Mr Sowermire. |
2 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:5532] | Addressee | Dr J. Walker |
| [PERS ID:5533] | Patient | Mr Sowermire (Sowermier) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:5532] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr J. Walker |
| [PERS ID:5534] | Other | Dr Crowther |
| [PERS ID:5536] | Other | Mr Tideswell |
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 | Leeds | North-East | England | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Mr. Sowermier
Dear Sir
I have the honour of your letter
concerning Mr. Sowermier this day put into
my hands, and I have considered it with all the
attention I can bestow.
The symptoms point out too clearly
the formation of a pthisis pulmonalis, but
I hope it is not confirmed as you give me
no account of any ↑thing like a purulent↑ expectoration, and by a letter
from him to Mr. Tideswell received this
day, it would seem there is a change in
the state of his urine which has not the
hectic appearance which it formerly had
by your description.
In the circumstances you mention, your
conduct has been very judicious and proper, and
several of your remedies must be continued.
I like much your Emetic in the morning, but
I would not have it go the length of vomiting
[Page 2]
and I think the smallest dose of Ipecacuanha
that can give some nausea will be enough, and
the same will commonly be enough to keep
the belly regular, and further purging I
should think improper. Bleeding seems
not to have been necessary nor would I think
it necessary unless some sharp pains or
stitches arise in some part of the thorax, and
then the repeating of blistering will be also
necessary, and in the meantime a small
perpetual blister ↑in the breast or side↑ will be a proper measur[e]
Some demulcents will probably be [constantly?]
requisite, and what I have found most
effectual is a Linctus of two parts Muc[i]¬
lage of gum Arabic, with one part of Rad
Sambuci. What I have frequently found
useful, is a strong decoction of dried Tussilago
leaves sweetened with extract of Liquorice
[Page 3]
and two ounces of this may be given twice a
day. I shall think it very proper that he
continue to take what exercise in a carriage
he can easily bear.
His diet I would recommend to be very
entirely farinacea with artificial asses milk
that is, Cows milk with an equal part
of thin water gruel, poured boiling
hot upon the milk, and the whole
being well sweetened with Sugar. This
instead of plain milk is to be used with Rice
Sago, Barley or bread, pouring the Artificial
milk upon the grain separately well boiled
These are the advices I can offer at
present, but when any circumstances shall
admit or require my further advice he may
depend upon the punctual attention of
Dear Sir
your most obedient humble servant
William Cullen
Edinburgh 20th. February
1789 -
My best compliments and hearty good wishes to my friend
Dr. Crowther
Diplomatic Text
Mr. Sowermier
Dear Sir
I have the honour of your letter
concerning Mr. Sowermier this day put into
my hands, and I have considered it with all the
attention I can bestow.
The symptoms point out too clearly
the formation of a pthisis pulmonalis, but
I hope it is not confirmed as you give me
no account of any ↑thing like a purulent↑ expectoration, and by a letter
from him to Mr. Tideswell received this
day, it would seem there is a change in
the state of his urine which has not the
hectic appearance which it formerly had
by your description.
In the circumstances you mention, your
conduct has been very judicious and proper, and
several of your remedies must be continued.
I like much your Emetic in the morning, but
I would not have it go the length of vomiting
[Page 2]
and I think the smallest dose of Ipecacuanha
that can give some nausea will be enough, and
the same will commonly be enough to keep
the belly regular, and further purging I
should think improper. Bleeding seems
not to have been necessary nor would I think
it necessary unless some sharp pains or
stitches arise in some part of the thorax, and
then the repeating of blistering will be also
necessary, and in the meantime a small
perpetual blister ↑in the breast or side↑ will be a proper measur[e]
Some demulcents will probably be [constantly?]
requisite, and what I have found most
effectual is a Linctus of two parts Muc[i]¬
lage of gum Arabic, with one part of Rad
Sambuci. What I have frequently found
useful, is a strong decoction of dried Tussilago
leaves sweetened with extract of Liquorice
[Page 3]
and two ounces of this may be given twice a
day. I shall think it very proper that he
continue to take what exercise in a carriage
he can easily bear.
His diet I would recommend to be very
entirely farinacea with artificial asses milk
that is, Cows milk with an equal part
of thin water gruel, poured boiling
hot upon the milk, and the whole
being well sweetened with Sugar. This
instead of plain milk is to be used with Rice
Sago, Barley or bread, pouring the Artificial
milk upon the grain separately well boiled
These are the advices I can offer at
present, but when any circumstances shall
admit or require my further advice he may
depend upon the punctual attention of
Dear Sir
your most obedient humble servant
William Cullen
Edr. 20th. Feby.
1789 -
My best compliments and hearty good wishes to my friend
Dr. Crowther
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