Cullen

The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

 

[ID:1512] From: Thomas Fetherstonhaugh / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mrs Smallwood (Patient) / 31 May 1778 / (Incoming)

Letter from Thomas Fetherstonhaugh, regarding the case of Mrs Smallwood. Addressed to Cullen and his colleague Dr Alexander Monro.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 1512
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/605
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date31 May 1778
Annotation None
TypeAuthorial original
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter from Thomas Fetherstonhaugh, regarding the case of Mrs Smallwood. Addressed to Cullen and his colleague Dr Alexander Monro.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:982]
Case of Mrs Smallwood who has a breast tumour.
2


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:2331]Author Thomas Fetherstonhaugh
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2332]PatientMrs Smallwood
[PERS ID:3752]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryMr Coultherd (Coulthard)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:89]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryProfessor Alexander Monro (secundus; Munro )
[PERS ID:2331]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary Thomas Fetherstonhaugh
[PERS ID:89]Supplemental AddresseeProfessor Alexander Monro (secundus; Munro )

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Kirkoswald North-West England Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Cumberland North-West England Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Penrith North-West England Europe certain
Place of Handstamp Carlisle North-West England Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Gentlemen


I am extremely sorry to be under the
disagreeable necessity of acquainting you, that altho'
Mrs Smalwood has hitherto strictly adhered to your
Regimen & Prescriptions, yet the disorder daily increases
apparently - Upon our arrival home she continued very
ill for some days seemingly totally relax'd, a want of
appetite
, and a quiet dejection of Spirits; but thank God
the two latter she has got much the better of since
Tuesday last but the irritation in her Bowels still
continue with some violence; and to add to her misery
and anxiety the other Breast is so much affected, that it is
full as large as that she complains of when at Edinburgh
don't apprehend by Mr Coltherd that there is any particular
Swelling or Lump in it, but that the glands of ↑the↑ whole Breast
are immedietely Swell'd - I am happy in saying she
as yet perceives little or no pain but a great deal



[Page 2]

of uneasiness & particularly for these two or three last
nights from the Breasts being so much Swell'd that
she cannot lie on either side when in bed - The Arm
Pitts
I am told still contines uneffected which is not
the case with the glands from her Left Breast (which is
the first she complaind of) they are Knotted, & Corded ,
to her Shoulder Blade, and her Arms by no means free.
The right Breast began to shew itself effected imme¬
diately upon our return home which with the unhappy
Complaints she then Labour'd under in point of health,
deter'd me, & the Surgeons, from even hinting any thing of
an exterpation; as two or three days amply convinced
us that the exterpation of the one wou'd answer no end
without the other - I must also acquaint you this situ¬
ated Coultherd was afraid to make an incision for the
Issue, least an inflamation shou'd come on which might
be attended with disagreeable consequences as she was
then so extremely ill in point of strength. The Lotion
she was directed to was her breast with inflam'd and
irritated it so much that after three or four times apply¬


[Page 3]

ing it she was oblig'd to decline it - I have now
Gentlemen, in the best manner I am able laid before
you her present Melancholly & deplorable situation
If you can recommend or advise any thing to [indee¬
vour?] to alleviate or palliete her present anxiety
your directions will be punctually observ'd and your
immediate answer will infinitely oblige


Gentleman
Your most obedient & Obliging Servant
Tomis Fetherstonhaugh


NB She is much relaxd by frequent motions to stool




[Page 4]


Kirko[swal]d near
Penrith Cumberland

May 31st 1778


Doctor Cullen
Edinburgh


Featherstonhaugh
of
Mrs Smallwood
May
1778.
VIII. 108.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Gentlemen


I am extremely sorry to be under the
disagreeable necessity of acquainting you, that altho'
Mrs Smalwood has hitherto strictly adhered to your
Regimen & Prescriptions, yet the disorder daily increases
apparently - Upon our arrival home she continued very
ill for some days seemingly totally relax'd, a want of
appetite
, and a quiet dejection of Spirits; but thank God
the two latter she has got much the better of since
Tuesday last but ye irritation in her Bowels still
continue with some violence; and to add to her misery
and anxiety the other Breast is so much affected, that it is
full as large as that she complains of when at Edinb:
don't apprehend by Mr Coltherd that there is any particular
Swelling or Lump in it, but that ye glands of ↑the↑ whole Breast
are immedietely Swell'd - I am happy in saying she
as yet perceives little or no pain but a great deal



[Page 2]

of uneasiness & particularly for these two or three last
nights from the Breasts being so much Swell'd that
she cannot lie on either side when in bed - The Arm
Pitts
I am told still contines uneffected which is not
the case with the glands from her Left Breast (which is
the first she complaind of) they are Knotted, & Corded ,
to her Shoulder Blade, and her Arms by no means free.
The right Breast began to shew itself effected imme¬
diately upon our return home which with the unhappy
Complaints she then Labour'd under in point of health,
deter'd me, & the Surgeons, from even hinting any thing of
an exterpation; as two or three days amply convinced
us that the exterpation of the one wou'd answer no end
without the other - I must also acquaint you this situ¬
ated Coultherd was afraid to make an incision for the
Issue, least an inflamation shou'd come on which might
be attended with disagreeable consequences as she was
then so extremely ill in point of strength. The Lotion
she was directed to was her breast with inflam'd and
irritated it so much that after three or four times apply¬


[Page 3]

ing it she was oblig'd to decline it - I have now
Gentlemen, in the best manner I am able laid before
you her present Melancholly & deplorable situation
If you can recommend or advise any thing to [indee¬
vour?] to alleviate or palliete her present anxiety
your directions will be punctually observ'd and your
immediate answer will infinitely oblige


Gentleman
Your most obdnt & Oblig. Serv.
Tomis Fetherstonhaugh


NB She is much relaxd by frequent motions to stool




[Page 4]


Kirko[swal]d near
Penrith Cumberland

May 31st 1778


Doctor Cullen
Edinburgh


Featherstonhaugh
of
Mrs Smallwood
May
1778.
VIII. 108.

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