The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:192] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Mr George Henderson (of Jamaica) / Regarding: Mr George Henderson (of Jamaica) (Patient) / 3 September 1781 / (Outgoing)
Reply, 'For Mr George Henderson'. Cullen gives directions for Mr George Henderson, concerning what he has diagnosed as 'a weakness of his bowels disposing them to a flatulent state'. Also includes recipes for strengthening powders, strengthening tincture and laxative oil.
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- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
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- People
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Facsimile
There are 4 images for this document.
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Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 192 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/14/78 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 3 September 1781 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | Enclosure(s) present |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | Yes |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply, 'For Mr George Henderson'. Cullen gives directions for Mr George Henderson, concerning what he has diagnosed as 'a weakness of his bowels disposing them to a flatulent state'. Also includes recipes for strengthening powders, strengthening tincture and laxative oil. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:1365] |
Case of George Henderson (of Jamaica) who has suffered various nervous smptoms associated with his bowels since having some sort of debilitating 'fit' at Christmas 1779. |
2 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:165] | Addressee | Mr George Henderson (of Jamaica) |
| [PERS ID:165] | Patient | Mr George Henderson (of Jamaica) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Cullen's House / Mint Close | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | certain |
| Mentioned / Other | Jamaica | West Indies | certain |
Normalized Text
For Mr George Henderson
Having attentively consider'd the whole circumstances
of Mr Hendersons complaints I am of opinion that they
consist in a weakness of his bowels disposing them to a flatu¬
lent State, that this weakness has been owing to the Shock
which his nerves received by the accidents of Christmas 1779
and has been increased since by frequent returns of hæmor¬
rhoidal disorder. His ailments Seem to have been much
mended since he has been in this country and it is hoped
they may be entirely recovered by his pursuing the fol¬
lowing measures.
1. If possible before he leaves this country let him take
a course of the Strengthening medicines prescribed in the
inclosed paper and let him take another course of them
about a month before he expects to arrive at Jamaica.
2. At all times and particularly during his voyage
let him take care to avoid costiveness by a proper use of
the Castor Oil. Whenever a Second day passes without
a Stool he ought that evening or next morning to take
such a dose of the oil as will give one Stool without
[Page 2]
more purging. I have prescribed in the inclosed paper
a manner of compounding the Castor Oil which generally
answers better than the plain oil. Mr Henderson may try
it and take either this composition or ↑the↑ plain oil as he finds
to answer best with this constitution.
3. When he happens to be much troubled with the Swelling
of the Piles without or with little bleeding let him for
several nights following take a dose of the balsamic
drops ↑prescribed in the inclosed↑ at bedtime. They are to be taken in the following
manner. Put a tea Spoonfull or two of powdered Sugar
into the bottom of a tea cup. Upon this Sugar drop fifty
or Sixty drops of the balsam Stir it well amongst the
Sugar with the back of the tea Spoon, then pour on two
or three table Spoonfulls of water and Stirring the whole
very well together drink it off immediately washing it
down with a little more water. It is expected that this
medicine will keep the belly regular {illeg} but if it does
not, the Castor oil must be employed as often as neces¬
sary.
4. In diet Mr Henderson may take a part of any
[Page 3]
ordinary fare but should Study to keep his Stomach always
light and in a warm climate take very moderately of -
animal food. On the other hand in this climate he should
avoid too much vegetables of a cold and flatulent kind.
At Sea he may take a little but not much of Salted meat
and avoid the necessity of it by such measures as I shall
mention to him in conversation where I can do it more
easily than I can do here.
5. In drinking Mr Henderson must be always very
moderate. He may take a few glasses of wine or punch
but his wine Should be a strong wine ↑as↑ Madeira Sherry
or red Port diluted with a little water. Claret, Rhenish
or other weak bodied wines are improper. His punch
ought to be with little Souring. Malt liquor of all
kinds are improper for him. A little very good Porter
may be tryed Sometimes.
Edinburgh 3d September
1781
[Page 4]
For Mr George Henderson
Take ten grains each of prepared Steel and hard white Sugar, and five grains of powdered Cinnamon. Mix. Let it be made into a powder and make into twenty-eight doses as required. Label: Strengthening Powders one to be taken in a little Currant Jelly twice a day washing down each dose with two table Spoonfulls of the following.
Take two ounces each of bitter Tincture and Tincture of Peruvian bark, and eight ounces of Simple cinnamon Water. Mix. Label: Strengthening Tincture two table Spoonfulls to be taken after every dose of the powders.
Take three ounces of the best castor Oil, and one ounce of Tincture of Senna compound, prepared in accordance with the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia. Mix. Label: Laxative Oil a table Spoonfull to be taken for a dose, Shaking the phial always very well before pouring it out.
Diplomatic Text
For Mr George Henderson
Having attentively consider'd the whole circumstances
of Mr Hendersons complaints I am of opinion that they
consist in a weakness of his bowels disposing them to a flatu¬
lent State, that this weakness has been owing to the Shock
which his nerves received by the accidents of Christmas 1779
and has been increased since by frequent returns of hæmor¬
rhoidal disorder. His ailments Seem to have been much
mended since he has been in this country and it is hoped
they may be entirely recovered by his pursuing the fol¬
lowing measures.
1. If possible before he leaves this country let him take
a course of the Strengthening medicines prescribed in the
inclosed paper and let him take another course of them
about a month before he expects to arrive at Jamaica.
2. At all times and particularly during his voyage
let him take care to avoid costiveness by a proper use of
the Castor Oil. Whenever a Second day passes without
a Stool he ought that evening or next morning to take
such a dose of the oil as will give one Stool without
[Page 2]
more purging. I have prescribed in the inclosed paper
a manner of compounding the Castor Oil which generally
answers better than the plain oil. Mr Henderson may try
it and take either this composition or ↑the↑ plain oil as he finds
to answer best with this constitution.
3. When he happens to be much troubled with the Swelling
of the Piles without or with little bleeding let him for
several nights following take a dose of the balsamic
drops ↑prescribed in the inclosed↑ at bedtime. They are to be taken in the following
manner. Put a tea Spoonfull or two of powdered Sugar
into the bottom of a tea cup. Upon this Sugar drop fifty
or Sixty drops of the balsam Stir it well amongst the
Sugar with the back of the tea Spoon, then pour on two
or three table Spoonfulls of water and Stirring the whole
very well together drink it off immediately washing it
down with a little more water. It is expected that this
medicine will keep the belly regular {illeg} but if it does
not, the Castor oil must be employed as often as neces¬
sary.
4. In diet Mr Henderson may take a part of any
[Page 3]
ordinary fare but should Study to keep his Stomach always
light and in a warm climate take very moderately of -
animal food. On the other hand in this climate he should
avoid too much vegetables of a cold and flatulent kind.
At Sea he may take a little but not much of Salted meat
and avoid the necessity of it by such measures as I shall
mention to him in conversation where I can do it more
easily than I can do here.
5. In drinking Mr Henderson must be always very
moderate. He may take a few glasses of wine or punch
but his wine Should be a strong wine ↑as↑ Madeira Sherry
or red Port diluted with a little water. Claret, Rhenish
or other weak bodied wines are improper. His punch
ought to be with little Souring. Malt liquor of all
kinds are improper for him. A little very good Porter
may be tryed Sometimes.
Edinr. 3d Septr.
1781
[Page 4]
For Mr George Henderson
℞ Limatur. Mart. ppt.
Sacchar. alb. duriss. @ gr. X
Cinnamom. pulv. gr. V.
ℳ. f. pulvis et fiant h. m. dos. № xxviij
Signa. Strengthening Powders one to be taken in a
little Currant Jelly twice a day washing down
each dose with two table Spoonfulls of the following.
℞ Tinct. amar.
--- cort. Peruvian. @ ℥ij
Aq. cinnamom. Simpl. ℥viij
ℳ. Sig. Strengthening Tincture two table Spoonfulls
to be taken after every dose of the powders.
℞ Ol. ricin. opt. ℥iij
Tinct. Senn. comp. Ph. Ed. ℥j
ℳ. Sig. Laxative Oil a table Spoonfull to be taken
for a dose, Shaking the phial always very well
before pouring it out.
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