Patient seeks advice on losing weight to improve her health.

This case drew the project's attention at an early stage because it addresses a very modern concern: obesity and the attempt to lose weight. When Jane Webster of York, suffering from a chest complaint, approaches Cullen for reassurances that she is undertaking safe methods of dieting and exercise in order to reduce her weight it is notable that the ensuing dialogue is entirely couched in terms of the benefits of slimming for her health: there is no mention of her appearance whatsoever. Cullen, who is known to have taken a systematic interest in matters of nutrition, clearly recognises that his main role here is to provide encouragement. Webster mentions that her father was a physician but he has not been identified as she never reveals her maiden name.

David E. Shuttleton

Documents in this case

4 document(s) found in this case.

DOC ID	Summary	Date
[DOC ID:1914]	Letter from Jane Webster at York concerning her own case. She seeks advice on how to continue to lose weight. Mentions in passing seeking past advice from her local physician, who is identified elsewhere as Edinburgh trained Dr Thomas Withers.	11 September 1780
[DOC ID:1021]	Reply 'For Mrs Jane Webster', advising her to 'make your body still lighter by a stone or more' and giving dietary and cold bathing instructions.	16 September 1780
[DOC ID:1975]	Letter from Jane Webster, concerning her own case.	30 January 1781
[DOC ID:1085]	Reply 'For Mrs Jane Webster. Cullen suggests that the reason she has not lost weight for some time is 'the want of exercise & of cold bathing', and recommends shuttlecock and walking for an hour or two in a large room.	8 February 1781

People involved in this case

5 found.

PERS ID	Full Name
[PERS ID: 1]	Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID: 937]	Mrs Goddard
[PERS ID: 936]	Dr Alexander Hunter
[PERS ID: 476]	Mrs Jane Webster
[PERS ID: 1026]	Dr Thomas Withers

Unique Places linked to this Case

4 found.

Type	Specific Place	Village/Town/City (aka)	Region	Country	Continent	Confidence
Specific	Cullen's House / Mint Close	Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place		York	North-East	England	Europe	certain
Place		Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Specific	St Saviour's Gate	York	North-East	England	Europe	certain

Places and role of place

6 found.

Type	Role	Specific Place	Village/Town/City (aka)	Region	Country	Continent	Confidence
Specific	Place of Writing	Cullen's House / Mint Close	Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Place of Writing		York	North-East	England	Europe	certain
Place	Destination of Letter		Edinburgh	Edinburgh and East	Scotland	Europe	certain
Place	Destination of Letter		York	North-East	England	Europe	inferred
Specific	Mentioned / Other	St Saviour's Gate	York	North-East	England	Europe	certain
Place	Place of Handstamp		York	North-East	England	Europe	certain