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As you was so condescending at last meeting, as
to promise advice in Cases of Difficulty, when laid before
you, which lays me under the greatest obligations to you, &
would be happy, if in my Power, to make a grateful Return
I have given you the Trouble of the following Case, & would be
greatly obliged for your Sentiments & advice upon it, which is
as follows ––– Andrew Flockhart aged fifty two, a Husband man
got a Bruise, by a carriage wheel, on the Foot, which swell'd & became
of a livid colour, which continued from october the 20th to January
the 22nd, 1780, the swelling for some Time was considerably abated
& the Lividity went off but the swelling returned, & was harder
than at the beginning – the Leg & foot that escaped the Bruise
has swelled the greater than the other, & advanced gradually to the
scrotum which is more than usual & from thence to the Scorbiculus
cordis –– The Abdomen was greatly extended especially in the Evening
& less in the morning. In the left side there is considerable Degree of
Hardness from the Epigastric region to the Inguen, and about
the middle of the umbelical, a Tumor resembing a pretty broad
Belt, it takes its Rise on the left side of the Linea aba & extends

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to the os Illium. Tongue somewhat foul, mouth of a
Saltish Taste, Belly bound, urine small Quantities, Thirst
great, has many swelled glands along both sides of the neck, & Groins
appetite bad, sleep indifferent. Pulse more than in ordinary Health
I was calld on the 22d of January I ordred his Regimen as in
Dropsy & gave some of the strong diuretic medicines as Rad:
Raphan allium, sinops, Bal. Junip; but not with much
success - they ↑were↑ steept in white wine. Afterwards he was tried
with doses of cream Tart. , Nitre, squills at different Times
which diminished the swelling for a Time but on its increasing
he got Decoct. Senekæ which likewise abated the Tumor
of the abdomen by promoting some Degree of sweat & perspiration.
However after all, he became so distressed that he was obliged
to sit up during the night - In company with another
surgeon I went & visted him, & judging Tapping the only
Temporary Remedy, it was performed in the left side; we
got not above a Scots Chopin of water mixed with Blood
which coagulated in the canula & prevented often the Discharge
The Integuments were so very thick & perhaps the Blood came from
them, it was florid - The Patient was a strong man, but

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considerably weaker very ambitious to try any thing that
would promise success as he has a numerous Family – The
Bearer is to in town two or three Days & will call for
an answer which will very much; and I am with very
great Esteem

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Dr Cullen
Mint Close
Edinburgh

✍
Mr J. Whyte concerning
a Dropsy
March 15. 1780.
To go on with his medicines
The Squills & Senekua
the most promising –
or may try –––