Cullen

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

 

[ID:3500] From: Mr John Goodsir / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Mr John Bethune (Lindsay) (Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1782, Bethune of Kilconquhar/Balfour) (Patient) / 20 April 1789 / (Incoming)

Letter from John Goodsir to William and Henry Cullen, concerning the case of Mr Bethune, whose symptoms seem to be 'rather more favourable'.

Facsimile

There are 4 images for this document.

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 3500
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/2392
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date20 April 1789
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 John Goodsir to William and Henry Cullen, concerning the case of Mr Bethune, whose symptoms seem to be 'rather more favourable'.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:196]
Case of John (Lindsay) Bethune of Kilconquhar, being reported almost daily by his surgeon John Goodsir.
24


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:1301]AuthorMr John Goodsir
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:464]PatientMr John Bethune (Lindsay of Wormiston; after 1782, Bethune of Kilconquhar/Balfour)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:544]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr Henry Cullen (Harry, Dr Henry, "the young doctor" )
[PERS ID:1301]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryMr John Goodsir
[PERS ID:4164]Patient's Relative / Spouse / FriendMiss Anne, Alison or Elizabeth Lindsay
[PERS ID:544]Supplemental AddresseeDr Henry Cullen (Harry, Dr Henry, "the young doctor" )

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Largo Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Kilconquhar House Kilconquhar Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Largo April 20th. 1789
Dear Gentlemen


Yesterday I was favourd with
yours of the 18th.- Since the report on the 16th-
Mr. Bethune has taken the Electuary, Nitre and
Squills regularly , in that report I said, had fix'd
with Mr. Bethune to take three or four five grain
doses of Nitre daily & at Bedtime with the Squills
which he has done the Squills now also we have
encreased to full gram & an half dayly, they set
well since the Emetic- At first I gave Mr. Bethune
the Nitre and Laudenam in the form of a Mixture
which his Stomach at that time rejected- I then
disolved the Nitre in a little water & Sugar and
immediately after gave the Laudenam in a little
water at this time he observ'd it and insisted
to know what it was and then would not take it
I must here say that Mr. Bethune has been at
times backward to take Medicine--


Since the report on the 16th Mr. Bethunes Symptomes
upon the whole have been more rather more
favourable, still no Drought, nor dryness in the



[Page 2]

mouth now, Urine somewhat encreased within
these two days, Swelling on the Limbs pritty
much the same, that degree of Flabby Swelling
as mentioned in last report the same on the
Thighs the same, Sleeps better in the night
since last report- Appetite also better- In good
Spirits and Countenance much more natural


Night before last fell into a profuse Sweat with
out any known Cause, especially upon the lower
Extremities
and when going to Bed & also yester¬
day Morning discovered his Urine to have a
Natural smell which he has not before ob¬
servd since the Disease began- Two days ago
also he observed upon the upper part of the
Legs
& lower part of the thighs a number
of red pimples scattered about- He now
takes exercise very regularly- I must beg
leave to say that your letters being sent to
Miss. Lindsay would ↑not↑ have any effect in the
point you mention My time is so much



[Page 3]

circumscribd that I am not regularly at
any one place at a certain time, sometimes
at Kilconquhar House thro' the night & sometimes
at my own House- One thing I am certain of
I have never been remiss when yours come
to my hand as far as it was in my power
to answer them immediately the first convenient
hour

With very much Respect
I am Dear Gentlemen,
Your very Humble & Obedient Servant
John Goodsir



[Page 4]


Doctor Cullen
Professor of Medicine
University of Edinburgh

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Largo April 20th. 1789
Dear Gentlemen


Yesterday I was favourd with
yours of the 18th.- Since the report on the 16th-
Mr. Bethune has taken the Electuary, Nitre and
Squills regularly , in that report I said, had fix'd
with Mr. Bethune to take three or four five grain
doses of Nitre daily & at Bedtime with the Squills
which he has done the Squills now also we have
encreased to full gram & an half dayly, they set
well since the Emetic- At first I gave Mr. Bethune
the Nitre and Laudenam in the form of a Mixture
which his Stomach at that time rejected- I then
disolved the Nitre in a little water & Sugar and
immediately after gave the Laudenam in a little
water at this time he observ'd it and insisted
to know what it was and then would not take it
I must here say that Mr. Bethune has been at
times backward to take Medicine--


Since the report on the 16th Mr. Bethunes Symptomes
upon the whole have been more rather more
favourable, still no Drought, nor dryness in the



[Page 2]

mouth now, Urine somewhat encreased within
these two days, Swelling on the Limbs pritty
much the same, that degree of Flabby Swelling
as mentioned in last report the same on the
Thighs the same, Sleeps better in the night
since last report- Appetite also better- In good
Spirits and Countenance much more natural


Night before last fell into a profuse Sweat with
out any known Cause, especially upon the lower
Extremities
and when going to Bed & also yester¬
day Morning discovered his Urine to have a
Natural smell which he has not before ob¬
servd since the Disease began- Two days ago
also he observed upon the upper part of the
Legs
& lower part of the thighs a number
of red pimples scattered about- He now
takes exercise very regularly- I must beg
leave to say that your letters being sent to
Miss. Lindsay would ↑not↑ have any effect in the
point you mention My time is so much



[Page 3]

circumscribd that I am not regularly at
any one place at a certain time, sometimes
at Kilconqr. House thro' the night & sometimes
at my own House- One thing I am certain of
I have never been remiss when yours come
to my hand as far as it was in my power
to answer them immediately the first convenient
hour

With very much Respect
I am Dear Gentlemen,
Your very Hube. & Obt. Servt.
John Goodsir



[Page 4]


Doctor Cullen
Professor of Medicine
University of Edinr.

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