Cullen

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

 

[ID:342] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Thomas Gillespie / Regarding: Earl Thomas Kennedy (Lord Cassillis, 9th Earl of Cassillis, 4th Baronet of Culzean, 11th Lord Kennedy) (Patient), Mr Blair (Patient) / 6 October 1775 / (Outgoing)

Reply 'To Mr Gillespie' concerning the case of Lord Cassilis, whose situation has not improved since Cullen paid a recent professional visit to him at Culzean ['Cullean'] Castle. Cullen adds a reminder of his request for 'a copy of the paper I wrote at Cullean'. Gillespie eventually sent a copy of Cullen's 'paper' which is now ID:1169. Cullen also expresses surprise that Gillespie has not mentioned the progress of a Mr Blair. This letter was sent to Gillespie at either Ayr or Culzean Castle.

Facsimile

There are 2 images for this document.

[Page 1]


 

[Page 2]


 
 

Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 342
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/1/6/41
Main Language English
Document Direction Outgoing
Date6 October 1775
Annotation None
TypeScribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry)
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Reply 'To Mr Gillespie' concerning the case of Lord Cassilis, whose situation has not improved since Cullen paid a recent professional visit to him at Culzean ['Cullean'] Castle. Cullen adds a reminder of his request for 'a copy of the paper I wrote at Cullean'. Gillespie eventually sent a copy of Cullen's 'paper' which is now ID:1169. Cullen also expresses surprise that Gillespie has not mentioned the progress of a Mr Blair. This letter was sent to Gillespie at either Ayr or Culzean Castle.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting No

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:3]
Case of Earl Cassillis, who is fevered, weak and in a state of terminal decline; eventually includes a post-mortem report.
7
[Case ID:2068]
Case of Mr Blair, only known from an aside in a letter from Cullen to a Dr Gillespie at Culzean.
1


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1]AuthorDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:552]AddresseeDr Thomas Gillespie
[PERS ID:549]PatientEarl Thomas Kennedy (Lord Cassillis, 9th Earl of Cassillis, 4th Baronet of Culzean, 11th Lord Kennedy)
[PERS ID:1063]PatientMr Blair
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:552]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Thomas Gillespie

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 Ayr (Air) Glasgow and West Scotland Europe inferred

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
To Mr Gillespie
Dear Sir


yours of the third I have recieved only this forenoon. I am sorry
to find that my Lord Casillis has made so little progress since I left
you, but as a short time only had passed, I hope you will soon give
me better accounts ––– I find that the state of the belly still requires
attention, but I hope that either the Tartar and Calomel or three spoon¬
fulls of the Ol. ricini will suceed with you, but if they do not
I have no objection to the aleotic if it is taken in pills and I think
the form in the last Dispensatory 1 is as good as any ––––


I think while his Lordship bear the Emetic so easily the repetition
of it may be of service in abating fever, but I am not disposed to
encourage vomiting
as it prevents purging, which I think is



[Page 2]

of as much consequence – I shall not insist on the Sinapism, tho'
I doubt much of its being the cause of the Symptoms you mention.
You have not said that the Anodyne Balsams have been applied
since I left you - If matters do not mend very soon I should
be very clear for another trial of the Dover's Powder and in an in¬
creased dose as I proposed to you at Cullean. It will be strange
if my Lord bear four grains of Tartar Emetic and will not bear
two of Ipecacuanha –––– Now His Lordship is free from spontaneous
sweats
, I am sorry he is not more out of bed. I am certain it would
be of use. It is my opinion that his Lordship should have been
out of bed and a great deal too both upon Sunday & Monday. I think
a restless night is not a reason for lying a bed next day, as the
dozings got are of little service and make the next night as bad
as the one before. Please mention this to his Lordship - I
hope your next account will be better than these to days but
tho' they should not I have little expectations from either Camphire or Musk.
The first will be given in large doses with
security and the last is seldom to be had in tolerable condition -
We have some here just now that is better than any we have
had for a dozen years past –– I am surprised that you say
not a word of Mr Blair. I hear he is better but I cannot be¬
lieve he will be quite well for sometime, and I should be
very happy to contribute any thing to his recovery – you
have forgot your promise to send me a copy of the paper I wrote
at Cullean. 2 I should still be glad to have it.


With most respect¬
full Compliments to all at Cullean I am &c.
6th. October 1775

Notes:

1: Probably refers to Pharmacopoeia Collegii Regii Medicorum Edinburgensis (Edinburgh: 1774), p. 164 .

2: Gillespie eventually sent a copy of Cullen's 'paper' which is now Letter ID:1169 and is linked to this case.

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
To Mr Gillespie
Dear Sir


yours of the third I have recieved only this forenoon. I am sorry
to find that my Lord Casillis has made so little progress since I left
you, but as a short time only had passed, I hope you will soon give
me better accounts ––– I find that the state of the belly still requires
attention, but I hope that either the Tartar and Calomel or three spoon¬
fulls of the Ol. ricini will suceed with you, but if they do not
I have no objection to the aleotic if it is taken in pills and I think
the form in the last Dispensatory 1 is as good as any ––––


I think while his Lordship bear the Emetic so easily the repetition
of it may be of service in abating fever, but I am not disposed to
encourage vomiting
as it prevents purging, which I think is



[Page 2]

of as much consequence – I shall not insist on the Sinapism, tho'
I doubt much of its being the cause of the Symptoms you mention.
You have not said that the Anodyne Balsams have been applied
since I left you - If matters do not mend very soon I should
be very clear for another trial of the Dover's Powder and in an in¬
creased dose as I proposed to you at Cullean. It will be strange
if my Lord bear four grains of Tartar Emetic and will not bear
two of Ipecacuanha –––– Now His Lordship is free from spontaneous
sweats
, I am sorry he is not more out of bed. I am certain it would
be of use. It is my opinion that his Lordship should have been
out of bed and a great deal too both upon Sunday & Monday. I think
a restless night is not a reason for lying a bed next day, as the
dozings got are of little service and make the next night as bad
as the one before. Please mention this to his Lordship - I
hope your next account will be better than these to days but
tho' they should not I have little expectations from either Camphire or Musk.
The first will be given in large doses with
security and the last is seldom to be had in tolerable condition -
We have some here just now that is better than any we have
had for a dozen years past –– I am surprised that you say
not a word of Mr Blair. I hear he is better but I cannot be¬
lieve he will be quite well for sometime, and I should be
very happy to contribute any thing to his recovery – you
have forgot your promise to send me a copy of the paper I wrote
at Cullean. 2 I should still be glad to have it.


With most respect¬
full Compliments to all at Cullean I am &c.
6th. Octr: 1775

Notes:

1: Probably refers to Pharmacopoeia Collegii Regii Medicorum Edinburgensis (Edinburgh: 1774), p. 164 .

2: Gillespie eventually sent a copy of Cullen's 'paper' which is now Letter ID:1169 and is linked to this case.

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