The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:5812] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr James Wood (of Keithick) / Regarding: Mr Robert Richardson (Patient) / 24 April 1789 / (Outgoing)
Reply, "Dr Robertson C[oncerning] ____", although this appears to be a mistake: the letter is written to James Wood. It concerns 'a young Gentleman who is your patient', about whom Cullen was consulted the previous day by Mr Richardson of Pitfour. The young man (Richardson's nephew) has a respiratory ailment. Cullen's advice includes preparing 'artificial Asses Milk' from cow's milk mixed with water gruel and sugar. He sends his regards to Dr Robertson.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 4 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
[Page 4]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 5812 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/21/84 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 24 April 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, "Dr Robertson C[oncerning] ____", although this appears to be a mistake: the letter is written to James Wood. It concerns 'a young Gentleman who is your patient', about whom Cullen was consulted the previous day by Mr Richardson of Pitfour. The young man (Richardson's nephew) has a respiratory ailment. Cullen's advice includes preparing 'artificial Asses Milk' from cow's milk mixed with water gruel and sugar. He sends his regards to Dr Robertson. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:2313] |
Case of Robert Richardson, who coughs up blood. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:5170] | Addressee | Dr James Wood (of Keithick) |
| [PERS ID:5607] | Patient | Mr Robert Richardson |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:2177] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Colin Robertsone (Robertson) |
| [PERS ID:5170] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr James Wood (of Keithick) |
| [PERS ID:5606] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Mr John? Richardson (of Pitfour (Perthshire)) |
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 | Perth | Mid Scotland | Scotland | Europe | inferred | |
| Mentioned / Other | Pitfour House / Pitfour Castle | St Madoes | Mid Scotland | Scotland | Europe | certain |
Normalized Text
Dr Robertson Concerning
I was yesternight consulted by Mr
Richardson of Pitfour about a young Gentle[man]
who is your patient.
Mr Richardson has put into my
hands a full account of the case, and I suppose
it to be very just, as he tells me that you saw
and approved of it before he brought it away
It appears very plainly that fatigue and cold
had brought on a strong inflammatory disposi¬
tion which though you took the most proper
measures to correct it, has remained very
long obstinate, and it is very doubtful with
me whether {illeg} be yet removed. However
this may be I think you have employed the
chief antiphlogistic remedy Bloodletting as
far as it will go, and though I suspect the
[Page 2]
inflammatory [disposition?] still to remain
I suspect at the same time a tendency to
suppuration ↑and↑, both on this account and on
that of his great weakness, I would not pro¬
pose any evacuation as I might have done
at a more early period of the disease, though
indeed I dont see that you ever had the
time and opportunity for trying it. But
I must here observe that though purging
cannot be any ways proper, you are cert[ain]¬
ly right in keeping his belly soluble by
glysters, especially as you are at the sam[e]
time under the necessity of alleviating
his Cough and giving him rest by [opiates?].
These I am very averse to early in the [disease?]
but I am perfectly persuaded that at
present they are unavoidable. I believe
that at present you must leave matter[s]
[Page 3]
to nature, and must be satisfied with keeping
the Patient easy till you see what nature
may do for him.
The blistering you formerly practised was
extremely proper, and the issue you have now
established is as promising as any remedy you
could employ, and if any new pain or diffi¬
culty of breathing should arise I would
have no hesitation in applying a fresh
blister anywhere about the thorax.
I need not say that Diluent and Emollient
fluids are the chief of the remedies that can
be of service, and for my part, if no objection
lies that I know of I would put him
entirely upon a milk diet, and either give
him Asses milk or what I think does often
as well, or better as it can be employed in
greater quantity, is the Artificial Asses
milk, that is Cows milk with an
[Page 4]
equal part of thin water gruel, the whole
being well sweetened with Sugar.
In such cases the bystanding friends are
ready to propose wine and some nourishing
things, but I am absolutely against the
former, and I would admit of no other ani¬
mal nourishment but a little Hartshorn
jelly, and hardly that of Calves feet in small
quantity.
Make my best compliments to your
Colleague Dr. Robertson and tell him that I
think his solution of nitre in moderate quantity
may be of service, but when used very largely
proves sometimes irritating to the lungs.
I am always with great affection and
regard
Your most Obedient Servant
1789/
Diplomatic Text
Dr Robertson C
I was yesternight consulted by Mr
Richardson of Pitfour about a young Gentle[man]
who is your patient.
Mr Richardson has put into my
hands a full account of the case, and I suppose
it to be very just, as he tells me that you saw
and approved of it before he brought it away
It appears very plainly that fatigue and cold
had brought on a strong inflammatory disposi¬
tion which though you took the most proper
measures to correct it, has remained very
long obstinate, and it is very doubtful with
me whether {illeg} be yet removed. However
this may be I think you have employed the
chief antiphlogistic remedy Bloodletting as
far as it will go, and though I suspect the
[Page 2]
inflammatory [disposition?] still to remain
I suspect at the same time a tendency to
suppuration ↑and↑, both on this account and on
that of his great weakness, I would not pro¬
pose any evacuation as I might have done
at a more early period of the disease, though
indeed I dont see that you ever had the
time and opportunity for trying it. But
I must here observe that though purging
cannot be any ways proper, you are cert[ain]¬
ly right in keeping his belly soluble by
glysters, especially as you are at the sam[e]
time under the necessity of alleviating
his Cough and giving him rest by [opiates?].
These I am very averse to early in the [disease?]
but I am perfectly persuaded that at
present they are unavoidable. I believe
that at present you must leave matter[s]
[Page 3]
to nature, and must be satisfied with keeping
the Patient easy till you see what nature
may do for him.
The blistering you formerly practised was
extremely proper, and the issue you have now
established is as promising as any remedy you
could employ, and if any new pain or diffi¬
culty of breathing should arise I would
have no hesitation in applying a fresh
blister anywhere about the thorax.
I need not say that Diluent and Emollient
fluids are the chief of the remedies that can
be of service, and for my part, if no objection
lies that I know of I would put him
entirely upon a milk diet, and either give
him Asses milk or what I think does often
as well, or better as it can be employed in
greater quantity, is the Artificial Asses
milk, that is Cows milk with an
[Page 4]
equal part of thin water gruel, the whole
being well sweetened with Sugar.
In such cases the bystanding friends are
ready to propose wine and some nourishing
things, but I am absolutely against the
former, and I would admit of no other ani¬
mal nourishment but a little Hartshorn
jelly, and hardly that of Calves feet in small
quantity.
Make my best compliments to your
Colleague Dr. Robertson and tell him that I
think his solution of nitre in moderate quantity
may be of service, but when used very largely
proves sometimes irritating to the lungs.
I am always with great affection and
regard
Your most Obedient Servant
1789/
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