The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:934] From: Dr Ivie Campbell / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mr Campbell (Patient) / 9 November 1774 / (Incoming)
Letter from Dr Ivie Campbell in Stroneskar, regarding the case of Mr Campbell. Campbell also sends as an enclosure a copy of directions provided by the late Dr John Gregory (see document ID:935), and it is this other document which bears the posting information.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 8 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
[Page 4]
[Page 5]
[Page 6]
[Page 7]
[Page 8]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 934 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/2/195a |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Incoming |
| Date | 9 November 1774 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Authorial original |
| Enclosure(s) | Enclosure(s) present |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Letter from Dr Ivie Campbell in Stroneskar, regarding the case of Mr Campbell. Campbell also sends as an enclosure a copy of directions provided by the late Dr John Gregory (see document ID:935), and it is this other document which bears the posting information. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:433] |
Case of Mr Campbell who was given a regimen by the late Dr John Gregory for managing his gout. Could be same patient as Case 89. |
3 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:336] | Author | Dr Ivie Campbell |
| [PERS ID:1] | Addressee | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:541] | Patient | Mr Campbell |
| [PERS ID:336] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Ivie Campbell |
| [PERS ID:540] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr John Gregory |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Stroneskar | Lochgilphead | Glasgow and West | Scotland | Europe | certain |
| Destination of Letter | Cullen's House / Mint Close | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
From the Polite Returns, you have been
pleased to favour me with, to former Consultations, I hope to
be excused, for troubling you at this time anent a
Case that nearly concerns myself.
Mr Campbell aged 50 of a good and Robust Constitution
and corpulent habit of Body having had several at¬
tacks of the Gout he consulted your late worthy Col¬
league Dr Gregory, and who gave him the Directions
herein inclosed.
While in ordinary health Mr Campbell was no
strict observer as to Regimen, with respect to the
Injesta, 1 But took always as much exercise, on foot,
and on horseback as he conveniently Could.
About three months ago, he had a violent attack
which confined him to bed for several weeks, and
is still confined to his room - for some weeks past
sits up most part of the Day - and takes a few Turns
through the Room upon Crutches.
At the first onset he was so violently pained that
he got no sleep for several Nights and was at
times, raving and threatened with delirium
[Page 2]
At which time I being Indesposed and had it not
in my Power to visit him. He sent me Doctor
Gregory's Letters, and, asking my opinion and
advice
On enquiring into his situation was told that
The pain was so excruciating in his feet and
Knees, that he had slept none for several nights,
that he was hot, and feverish, with a severe stitch
in his shoulders which, though he had sweated
profusely for several Days was nothing relieved
by it.
As to the Doctors Directions, I wrote him that
I did not think the medicines therein mentioned
could be of much service during a fit - as
they appeared to be prescribed more as a
preventative than Cure - But that he might have
some of the Pills by him, as a Laxative in Case
in Case of Costiveness, and some of the Bitters
in case of any uneasiness at stomach.
But as he had been so long without sleep, and was
not costive, I advised he should Imediately take
an anodyne to procure some Rest
[Page 3]
And have some Saponaceous Balsam rubbed to
his shoulder, as I apprehended the stitch to partake
more of a Rheumatic than Gouty nature
And if his getting Rest, did not abate the feverish¬
ness, and Raving, He should lose a little Blood,
and if the Balsam should not relieve the stitch
that a Blister might be applyed to the part affected.
And having heard him speak favourably of the
virtues of Port wine, I desired that for some Days
he might be sparing, in the use of it, and take
little of any spirritous Liquor, unless he perceived
the pain aproaching toward his stomach - and for
Diet, that he should take Gruel, Barley water,
weak wine whey &c for Drink, Chicken Broth
and a bit of Chicken for Dinner, for Breakfast and
supper he took Porrage and milk, which I desired
might be continued --
He Informed me Next morning that he had only
used the Balsam -- his stitch was releived and he
got some sleep by which he was much refreshed
But that he would observe my Directions as to
Diet --
As soon as I could see him,
[Page 4]
being about six weeks from his attack, he was
able to walk through the Room on Crutches and
was greatly better in all respects. But was still
keeping strictly to Regimen. I prescribed a little
more freedom in that Respect, fearing bad Con¬
sequences from his persevering in a Course so
opposite to his usual manner of Life, But could
not prevail with him to live so free as I would
have him viz to take a Bit of light meat to
Dinner and a few Glasses of wine Dayly
Every little return of Pain he ascribed to this
Change of Diet - wherefore he still lives very
abstemious, pent up in a warm Room,
For those flying Pains he took some of the
stomach Bitters recommended by Dr Gregory
with a view to fix the pain in some particular
part, which he says the Doctor told him was
the Intention of them - But does not find they
have that effect now, although he Imagined
they had such Effect formerly when prescribed,
About a fortnight ago he complained much
of an unneasie stiffness and swelling of his
[Page 5]
feet, and ankles, without any Pain, save a little
in his soles on setting them to the floor, upon ex¬
amining his Legs I found them considerably
swelled from the Garter Down, and the ankles
and feet very much swelled, there was no dis¬
colouration of the skin, except a few Puncticula
of a Blackish Collour, and although he had them
covered up with Carded wool, and several flannel
wrappers over all, and sitting near a large
fire, in a warm room, the skin was felt cold
The swelling yeilded to the Touch, and left a Deep
Impression - and was not pained though pressed
hard with the fingers, and the swelling always
Increased toward Night,
I was of oppinion the swelling was plainly
of the Edematous kind proceeding from an ex¬
travasation of the Lymph, from the Torpor and
Relaxation of the absorbent Vessels and Circulatory
Vessels, from the preceding Inflammation,
want of the accustomed exercise, and being
kept so long in such a warm relaxing state
[Page 6]
Advised that his Legs, and feet should be well
rubbed with warm flannels, or a warm hand
chiefly upwards, Night and morning as the
safest and most effectual method, of promoting
the absorption and Circulation of the stagnant
Lymph, and by suplying the want of exercise to
recover the Tone of the vessels - at this he seemd
much alarmed, But on my assuring him there
was no danger in making a Tryal he complyed,
and promised to have it regularly done, But I
being absent for a few Days, after he had used
the rubbing twice or three He observed the
swelling abating in the feet and Legs (which
indeed was observable on the first rubbing) But
that his knees became swelled - and being
naturally Apprehensive, and fearing it would
fly to his Body - He Imediatly gave up the
the rubbing and complained loudly of my giving
him wrong advice, which if I did, it was more
than I meant - and more than I am as yet persuaded
of - The advice I gave was according to
[Page 7]
what my opinion of the Disorder was, and still is
yet I will not be positive, the Gout is a Disease in
observing or treating of which of which I have but
small experience - And if the most skilled may
sometimes err - much more a Tyro in the science.
However the above is a candid state of facts, which
on several accounts I am prompted to submitt
to the examination of a superior of Candour &
experience sufficient to entitle and enable him
to decide in such matters.
And I humbly entreat that at your Convenience
you will be kind enough to consider the Case, and
favour me with your Opinion that if I am in the
right I may the better silence any reports which
may be spread to my disadvantage and if wrong
that I may for the future be more cautious in such cases
Your Complyance will be doing me an
Inexpressible obligation
Dear Sir with great esteem
your most obedient servant
[Page 8]
P.S.
If pleased to favour me with an answer
beg you ll be so good as be particular, with
respect to your Opinion of the ↑nature of↑ swelling whither
it is a symptom of a present subsisting Gout, or
only a secondary Effect, as any swelling I
have had occasion to observe during a fit
was of the Infammatory kind, hard, and the skin tense, painful to the Touch, did not Pitt and
of a red Collour --
Iv: C
Notes:
1: "Ingesta" is a term for substances introduced into the body as nourishment.
Diplomatic Text
From the Polite Returns, you have been
pleased to favour me with, to former Consultations, I hope to
be excused, for troubling you at this time anent a
Case that nearly concerns myself.
Mr Campbell aged 50 of a good and Robust Constitution
and corpulent habit of Body having had several at¬
tacks of the Gout he consulted your late worthy Col¬
league Dr Gregory, and who gave him the Directions
herein inclosed.
While in ordinary health Mr Campbell was no
strict observer as to Regimen, with respect to the
Injesta, 1 But took always as much exercise, on foot,
and on horseback as he conveniently Could.
About three months ago, he had a violent attack
which confined him to bed for several weeks, and
is still confined to his room - for some weeks past
sits up most part of the Day - and takes a few Turns
through the Room upon Crutches.
At the first onset he was so violently pained that
he got no sleep for several Nights and was at
times, raving and threatened with delirium
[Page 2]
At which time I being Indesposed and had it not
in my Power to visit him. He sent me Doctor
Gregory's Letters, and, asking my opinion and
advice
On enquiring into his situation was told that
The pain was so excruciating in his feet and
Knees, that he had slept none for several nights,
that he was hot, and feverish, with a severe stitch
in his shoulders which, though he had sweated
profusely for several Days was nothing relieved
by it.
As to the Doctors Directions, I wrote him that
I did not think the medicines therein mentioned
could be of much service during a fit - as
they appeared to be prescribed more as a
preventative than Cure - But that he might have
some of the Pills by him, as a Laxative in Case
in Case of Costiveness, and some of the Bitters
in case of any uneasiness at stomach.
But as he had been so long without sleep, and was
not costive, I advised he should Imediately take
an anodyne to procure some Rest
[Page 3]
And have some Saponaceous Balsam rubbed to
his shoulder, as I apprehended the stitch to partake
more of a Rheumatic than Gouty nature
And if his getting Rest, did not abate the feverish¬
ness, and Raving, He should lose a little Blood,
and if the Balsam should not relieve the stitch
that a Blister might be applyed to the part affected.
And having heard him speak favourably of the
virtues of Port wine, I desired that for some Days
he might be sparing, in the use of it, and take
little of any spirritous Liquor, unless he perceived
the pain aproaching toward his stomach - and for
Diet, that he should take Gruel, Barley water,
weak wine whey &c for Drink, Chicken Broth
and a bit of Chicken for Dinner, for Breakfast and
supper he took Porrage and milk, which I desired
might be continued --
He Informed me Next morning that he had only
used the Balsam -- his stitch was releived and he
got some sleep by which he was much refreshed
But that he would observe my Directions as to
Diet --
As soon as I could see him,
[Page 4]
being about six weeks from his attack, he was
able to walk through the Room on Crutches and
was greatly better in all respects. But was still
keeping strictly to Regimen. I prescribed a little
more freedom in that Respect, fearing bad Con¬
sequences from his persevering in a Course so
opposite to his usual manner of Life, But could
not prevail with him to live so free as I would
have him viz to take a Bit of light meat to
Dinner and a few Glasses of wine Dayly
Every little return of Pain he ascribed to this
Change of Diet - wherefore he still lives very
abstemious, pent up in a warm Room,
For those flying Pains he took some of the
stomach Bitters recommended by Dr Gregory
with a view to fix the pain in some particular
part, which he says the Doctor told him was
the Intention of them - But does not find they
have that effect now, although he Imagined
they had such Effect formerly when prescribed,
About a fortnight ago he complained much
of an unneasie stiffness and swelling of his
[Page 5]
feet, and ankles, without any Pain, save a little
in his soles on setting them to the floor, upon ex¬
amining his Legs I found them considerably
swelled from the Garter Down, and the ankles
and feet very much swelled, there was no dis¬
colouration of the skin, except a few Puncticula
of a Blackish Collour, and although he had them
covered up with Carded wool, and several flannel
wrappers over all, and sitting near a large
fire, in a warm room, the skin was felt cold
The swelling yeilded to the Touch, and left a Deep
Impression - and was not pained though pressed
hard with the fingers, and the swelling always
Increased toward Night,
I was of oppinion the swelling was plainly
of the Edematous kind proceeding from an ex¬
travasation of the Lymph, from the Torpor and
Relaxation of the absorbent Vessels and Circulatory
Vessels, from the preceding Inflammation,
want of the accustomed exercise, and being
kept so long in such a warm relaxing state
[Page 6]
Advised that his Legs, and feet should be well
rubbed with warm flannels, or a warm hand
chiefly upwards, Night and morning as the
safest and most effectual method, of promoting
the absorption and Circulation of the stagnant
Lymph, and by suplying the want of exercise to
recover the Tone of the vessels - at this he seemd
much alarmed, But on my assuring him there
was no danger in making a Tryal he complyed,
and promised to have it regularly done, But I
being absent for a few Days, after he had used
the rubbing twice or three He observed the
swelling abating in the feet and Legs (which
indeed was observable on the first rubbing) But
that his knees became swelled - and being
naturally Apprehensive, and fearing it would
fly to his Body - He Imediatly gave up the
the rubbing and complained loudly of my giving
him wrong advice, which if I did, it was more
than I meant - and more than I am as yet persuaded
of - The advice I gave was according to
[Page 7]
what my opinion of the Disorder was, and still is
yet I will not be positive, the Gout is a Disease in
observing or treating of which of which I have but
small experience - And if the most skilled may
sometimes err - much more a Tyro in the science.
However the above is a candid state of facts, which
on several accounts I am prompted to submitt
to the examination of a superior of Candour &
experience sufficient to entitle and enable him
to decide in such matters.
And I humbly entreat that at your Convenience
you will be kind enough to consider the Case, and
favour me with your Opinion that if I am in the
right I may the better silence any reports which
may be spread to my disadvantage and if wrong
that I may for the future be more cautious in such cases
Your Complyance will be doing me an
Inexpressible obligation
Dear Sir with great esteem
yr most obedient sevt
[Page 8]
P.S.
If pleased to favour me with an answer
beg you ll be so good as be particular, with
respect to your Opinion of the ↑nature of↑ swelling whither
it is a symptom of a present subsisting Gout, or
only a secondary Effect, as any swelling I
have had occasion to observe during a fit
was of the Infammatory kind, hard, and the skin tense, painful to the Touch, did not Pitt and
of a red Collour --
Iv: C
Notes:
1: "Ingesta" is a term for substances introduced into the body as nourishment.
XML
XML file not yet available.
Feedback
Send us specfic feeback about this document [DOC ID:934]
Please note that the Cullen Project team have now disbanded but your comments will be logged in our system and we will look at them one day...
