Cullen

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

 

[ID:3038] From: Mr Laurence Edmonston (Edmonstone) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Miss Johannah Sanderson (Patient) / 5 June 1787 / (Incoming)

Letter from Laurence Edmonston concerning the case of Miss [Johannah] Sanderson (one of his sisters-in-law). Because Cullen's letter was delayed due to a detained ship, it only reached him just before she died (14 Dec 1786), her cough and weakness having grown worse after the shock of her mother's death. Edmonston's wife has made a pair of Shetland worsted gloves for Cullen, 'which we can not be restrained from offering for your acceptance'. If Cullen likes them, they will send more. They (and presumably the letter) are to be delivered via Mr Cheyne.

Facsimile

There are 4 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 3038
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/2071
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date5 June 1787
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 Laurence Edmonston concerning the case of Miss [Johannah] Sanderson (one of his sisters-in-law). Because Cullen's letter was delayed due to a detained ship, it only reached him just before she died (14 Dec 1786), her cough and weakness having grown worse after the shock of her mother's death. Edmonston's wife has made a pair of Shetland worsted gloves for Cullen, 'which we can not be restrained from offering for your acceptance'. If Cullen likes them, they will send more. They (and presumably the letter) are to be delivered via Mr Cheyne.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:771]
Case of Miss Johannah Sanderson, the sister-in-law of Laurence Edmonston in Shetland. She dies just as Cullen's reply reaches Shetland.
1


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:605]AuthorMr Laurence Edmonston (Edmonstone)
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:1558]PatientMiss Johannah Sanderson
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:605]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryMr Laurence Edmonston (Edmonstone)
[PERS ID:4991]Other Physician / SurgeonMr John Cheyne
[PERS ID:605]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMr Laurence Edmonston (Edmonstone)
[PERS ID:1557]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMrs Mary Edmonston (Molly)
[PERS ID:3850]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMrs Ursula Sanderson

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Lerwick Shetlands Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Leith Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Lerwick June 5th. 1787
Doctor William Cullen
Dear Sir


Your favour of the 4th. October last was,
by the detention of the vessells from Leith, delayed from coming to
my hands for a very long time, & only arrived so, that the advice and
prescriptions could reach but reach Miss Sanderson eight or ten days
before her death. –– The musk was tryed, but she being then exceedingly
weak
, a small quantity only was given, so that it could not be said what
its effects might have been.


Although her menses were regular & in sufficient quantity when I
had the honour to write you, they were soon afterwards suppressed, chiefly
owing, at that time, to the violent shock her frame sufferd on the death of
her mother; which happened soom after I wrote. From that time all her
complaints were aggravated, and the short Cough I mentioned in the re¬
presentation of her Case became more continued & deeper seated. –– Its progress
was from this time very rapid, & there soon followed a copious purulent
Expectoration, which quickly reduced the little remaining strength she had



[Page 2]

and carryed her off ––––


Although when I wrote you, I hoped, the short tickling Cough she had,
might be symptomatic, yet I feard her Lungs might be soon affected
from knowing the predisposition many of that family had to Pulmonary
Affections
: And my fears was but too well founded ––––


I cannot help expressing the high degree of satisfaction your
very kind letter afforded me –– The office of superintending the health
of my fellow Creatures is a charge of the most weighty importance, as
often, on the prudent or imprudent management of their Cases, depend
the life or death of the Patients. Many a sleepless night & anxious
day has my situation, in that respect, given me; more especially as there
is no person here of superior skill to advise with, or be directed by, so
that the approbation of my Conduct by so able a Judge gives me the
most heartfelt pleasure I am capable of receiving. ––––


My wife & I have long entertained the highest degree of gratitude
for your friendly conduct towards me; But alas, can show it ↑in↑ no way
but, by words, assuring you, that the most lively remembrance of it shall
ever be keeped up in our hearts.




[Page 3]


She has made a pair of Shetland worsted Gloves for you which we can
not be restrained from offering for your acceptance, & if you like them,
let us know, & you shall be supplyed with them from time to time as
you need them –– Acept them dear Sir as a very triffling testimony
of the sincere regard your friendly conduct towards me has indelibly
fixed on my heart. I am

Dear Sir
Your much obliged
& very humble servant
Laur. Edmonston


I mean to send the gloves to Mr
Cheyne's Care




[Page 4]


Doctor William Cullen
Professor of the Practice of Physic
in the University of
Edinburgh


Mr. L. Edmonston
C. Miss Saunders
June 1787

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Lerwick June 5th. 1787
Doctor William Cullen
Dear Sir


Your favour of the 4th. Octr. last was,
by the detention of the vessells from Leith, delayed from coming to
my hands for a very long time, & only arrived so, that the advice and
prescriptions could reach but reach Miss Sanderson eight or ten days
before her death. –– The musk was tryed, but she being then exceedingly
weak
, a small quantity only was given, so that it could not be said what
its effects might have been.


Although her menses were regular & in sufficient quantity when I
had the honour to write you, they were soon afterwards suppressed, chiefly
owing, at that time, to the violent shock her frame sufferd on the death of
her mother; which happened soom after I wrote. From that time all her
complaints were aggravated, and the short Cough I mentioned in the re¬
presentation of her Case became more continued & deeper seated. –– Its progress
was from this time very rapid, & there soon followed a copious purulent
Expectoration, which quickly reduced the little remaining strength she had



[Page 2]

and carryed her off ––––


Although when I wrote you, I hoped, the short tickling Cough she had,
might be symptomatic, yet I feard her Lungs might be soon affected
from knowing the predisposition many of that family had to Pulmonary
Affections
: And my fears was but too well founded ––––


I cannot help expressing the high degree of satisfaction your
very kind letter afforded me –– The office of superintending the health
of my fellow Creatures is a charge of the most weighty importance, as
often, on the prudent or imprudent management of their Cases, depend
the life or death of the Patients. Many a sleepless night & anxious
day has my situation, in that respect, given me; more especially as there
is no person here of superior skill to advise with, or be directed by, so
that the approbation of my Conduct by so able a Judge gives me the
most heartfelt pleasure I am capable of receiving. ––––


My wife & I have long entertained the highest degree of gratitude
for your friendly conduct towards me; But alas, can show it ↑in↑ no way
but, by words, assuring you, that the most lively remembrance of it shall
ever be keeped up in our hearts.




[Page 3]


She has made a pair of Shetland worsted Gloves for you which we can
not be restrained from offering for your acceptance, & if you like them,
let us know, & you shall be supplyed with them from time to time as
you need them –– Acept them dear Sir as a very triffling testimony
of the sincere regard your friendly conduct towards me has indelibly
fixed on my heart. I am

Dear Sir
Your much obliged
& very humble servt
Laur. Edmonston


I mean to send the gloves to Mr
Cheyne's Care




[Page 4]


Doctor William Cullen
Professor of the Practice of Physic
in the University of
Edinr.


Mr. L. Edmonston
C. Miss Saunders
June 1787

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