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I was consulted yesterday by a Gentleman labouring
under a Chronic Catarrah -- After hearing the history of his
Disease, I requested the assistance of your advice; and
the rather as the Winter is coming on, and as I learned that
two of his sisters died of Phthisis. He readily agreed, begged
his respectful Complts. to you and your acceptance of his
Opinion, which I enclose --

I have annixed the history of his Case - I have pre¬
scribed nothing materiall, only relaxed the severity of his
regimen till I have the honour of your return, which he
waits for with impatience.

Captn. John Robertson aged about 45 in going from this
place to Campbeltown in June last, catched cold, and was
seized with troublesome Cough, attended now and then with
reachings to Vomit, an encrease of dullness of hearing
and Costiveness --

He was let Blood twice by a Surgeon there, was blistered
'twixt the Shoulders, enjoined riding, &ca, without remov¬
ing

He returned to Port Glasgow six weeks ago, and has been under
the care of a Surgeon here - who has bled him him more, blist¬
ered him repeatedly, given him a variety of medicine, and,
as he thinks, without advantage; and prescribed a regimen of
weak Cocoa with bread for breakfast, weak Chicken water with
a bit of bread for Dinner, milk and Water for Tea, and Water
Gruel for Supper with a little bread. To all of which he has
scrupulously adhered -

His present Complaints are, a Slight Hoarseness, fre¬
quent Cough, especially thro the night, and of late after
eating; copious expectoration of white, light, frothy phlegm, which
in the mornings is more gross and yellowish - a little graving,
at times, and generally in the forenoon - heat in his palm towards
the afternoon with some thirst. Pulse, after dinner, soft & 84.
after walking smartly thro the room for seven minutes, it fell
two Strokes in a minute. after supper only 84. in a minute.

His Belly which has been for the most part costive, is now
very regular, and likewise on the whole he thinks himself somewhat
better since he has omitted all his medicines these six days -
Sleeps well when the Cough allows him; which last is not ag¬
gravated by any particular posture - has no fixed pain in
his breast, nor ever had - not flying pains; nor breathlessness,
except after severe fits of Coughing -

His dullness of hearing, which he has long had, & which
used to be greatly relieved by Syringing his Ears, is now

Has an Issue on his Back, another on his side, for sometime
past - both of which discharge largely - Has used little or
no Exercise of Late -

He was formerly very healthy - now confined however last
Winter, for two months, and had mercury &ca given him
untill his mouth was frequently affected, for the {illeg} of some
slight Venereal faint, of an Old Standing, but without effect -
which Course and low living reduced him much, but he
was in ordinary good health, otherwise, for four month[s]
{illeg} the attack of his present Disease ----

Doctor William Cullen
Edinburgh