The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:261] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Robert Menzies (of Dura ) / Regarding: Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) (Patient) / 1 February 1782 / (Outgoing)
Reply to Dr Menzies with directions for treatment of Mr David Bethune, whose ailment Cullen believes is due to a weakness of the stomach. Cullen discusses the use of Hartfell Water and Magnesia. He also mentions Mr Bethune's corneal problems, and says that while he has used electricity for eye inflammation, he has not used it for cases of this kind.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 3 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
[Page 3]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 261 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/14/147 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 1 February 1782 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Machine copy |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | No |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply to Dr Menzies with directions for treatment of Mr David Bethune, whose ailment Cullen believes is due to a weakness of the stomach. Cullen discusses the use of Hartfell Water and Magnesia. He also mentions Mr Bethune's corneal problems, and says that while he has used electricity for eye inflammation, he has not used it for cases of this kind. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:260] |
Case of Mr David Bethune of Balfour who consulted Cullen previously over stomach complaints (See Case 34). Now also has an eye problem, head-pains, abdominal pains and increasing weakness. |
20 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:830] | Addressee | Dr Robert Menzies (of Dura ) |
| [PERS ID:11] | Patient | Mr David Bethune (of Kilconquhar; of Balfour) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:830] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr Robert Menzies (of Dura ) |
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 |
| Destination of Letter | Kilconquhar House | Kilconquhar | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Dr Menzies Concerning Mr Bethune
I am favoured with yours concerning
Mr Bethune and having formerly studied his constitution
as much as possible I am entirely of your opinion that his
chief ailment is a weakness of the stomach giving indigestion
and flatulence ↑&↑ by these the giddiness he so often complains of.
This weakness of stomach from its long continuance must be
difficult to cure and I think the frequent or long continued
use of bark and bitters, tho they seem to give some relief, is apt
to do mischief. I have therefore thought it better to support
the tone of the stomach by chalybeates and the Hartfell Spaw
tho a weak one, has often been of service. I have very rarely
found it astringent and Mr Bethunes supposing it be so with
him is I believe owing to this, that he is naturally costive
and has been long accustomed to take rhubarb, and either from
constitution or management of medicine he may be costive with¬
out the Spaw water being to blame. However this may be more
certainly ↑determined↑ by intermitting the Spaw water for a weak or two.
[Page 2]
Instead of this you may diminish the quantity of water taken
but it will not answer the purpose so well and I cannot ad¬
mit of the dilution proposed for you can hardly find a water
that will not precipitate the Iron of the Spaw water. I must
own however that unless for the sake of a trial & upon that for
strong reasons I am very averse to quit the Hartfell Spaw as
I think this or some other chalybeate, the safest tonic that Mr
Bethune can employ. However all this may be I have no ob¬
jection to the calcined Magnesia and have desired Mr Lindsay
send to you by first opportunity. It cannot absorb air in
the stomach or retain it but it may have an advantage of not
affording any. I think a little of it given with rhubarb may
be a very proper laxative and I leave you upon a proper trial
to adjust the dose of it, but take care that it be given at a pro¬
per distance from the Hartfell Spaw as if joined together the
Iron would be precipitated by it. If the Magnesia is given at
night or even early in the morning the water may be drunk
in the forenoon as before that time the Magnesia will be sa¬
turated with acid and probably out of the stomach.
[Page 3]
With regard to the failure of sight I believe Mr Bethune
himself judges properly in imputing it to age and few at his time
of life miss feeling some failure of that kind and surely no opacity in
the edge of cornea can have any share in it. However if that opacity –
should spread it may be hurtfull and I should be glad to remove it if –
possible. I have found Electrical sparks taken from the eye very quickly
discuss 1 inflammation but it does not give any permanent relief and I
never tried it for specks on any part of the cornea. With respectfull
Compliments to Mr Bethune I am
your most obedient servant
1782
Notes:
1: Meaning, in this context, to "dispel or disperse".
Diplomatic Text
Dr Menzies C Mr Bethune
I am favoured with yours concerning
Mr Bethune and having formerly studied his constitution
as much as possible I am entirely of your opinion that his
chief ailment is a weakness of the stomach giving indigestion
and flatulence ↑&↑ by these the giddiness he so often complains of.
This weakness of stomach from its long continuance must be
difficult to cure and I think the frequent or long continued
use of bark and bitters, tho they seem to give some relief, is apt
to do mischief. I have therefore thought it better to support
the tone of the stomach by chalybeates and the Hartfell Spaw
tho a weak one, has often been of service. I have very rarely
found it astringent and Mr Bethunes supposing it be so with
him is I believe owing to this, that he is naturally costive
and has been long accustomed to take rhubarb, and either from
constitution or management of medicine he may be costive with¬
out the Spaw water being to blame. However this may be more
certainly ↑determined↑ by intermitting the Spaw water for a weak or two.
[Page 2]
Instead of this you may diminish the quantity of water taken
but it will not answer the purpose so well and I cannot ad¬
mit of the dilution proposed for you can hardly find a water
that will not precipitate the Iron of the Spaw water. I must
own however that unless for the sake of a trial & upon that for
strong reasons I am very averse to quit the Hartfell Spaw as
I think this or some other chalybeate, the safest tonic that Mr
Bethune can employ. However all this may be I have no ob¬
jection to the calcined Magnesia and have desired Mr Lindsay
send to you by first opportunity. It cannot absorb air in
the stomach or retain it but it may have an advantage of not
affording any. I think a little of it given with rhubarb may
be a very proper laxative and I leave you upon a proper trial
to adjust the dose of it, but take care that it be given at a pro¬
per distance from the Hartfell Spaw as if joined together the
Iron would be precipitated by it. If the Magnesia is given at
night or even early in the morning the water may be drunk
in the forenoon as before that time the Magnesia will be sa¬
turated with acid and probably out of the stomach.
[Page 3]
With regard to the failure of sight I believe Mr Bethune
himself judges properly in imputing it to age and few at his time
of life miss feeling some failure of that kind and surely no opacity in
the edge of cornea can have any share in it. However if that opacity –
should spread it may be hurtfull and I should be glad to remove it if –
possible. I have found Electrical sparks taken from the eye very quickly
discuss 1 inflammation but it does not give any permanent relief and I
never tried it for specks on any part of the cornea. With respectfull
Compliments to Mr Bethune I am
your most obedient servant
1782
Notes:
1: Meaning, in this context, to "dispel or disperse".
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