The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
[ID:3774] From: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / To: Dr Hugh Downman / Regarding: Miss Anne Downman (Ann) (Patient) / 14 March 1775 / (Outgoing)
Reply to 'Mr [Hugh] Downman', regarding his sister, Miss Downman, who has 'a great deal of bodily disease', as well as 'a weakness and delicacy of the nervous system'.
- Facsimile
- Normalized Text
- Diplomatic Text
- Metadata
- Case
- People
- Places
Facsimile
There are 2 images for this document.
[Page 1]
[Page 2]
Metadata
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| DOC ID | 3774 |
| RCPE Catalogue Number | CUL/1/1/5/37 |
| Main Language | English |
| Document Direction | Outgoing |
| Date | 14 March 1775 |
| Annotation | None |
| Type | Scribal copy ( includes Casebook Entry) |
| Enclosure(s) | No enclosure(s) |
| Autopsy | No |
| Recipe | Yes |
| Regimen | No |
| Letter of Introduction | No |
| Case Note | No |
| Summary | Reply to 'Mr [Hugh] Downman', regarding his sister, Miss Downman, who has 'a great deal of bodily disease', as well as 'a weakness and delicacy of the nervous system'. |
| Manuscript Incomplete? | No |
| Evidence of Commercial Posting | No |
Case
Cases that this document belongs to:
| Case ID | Description | Num Docs |
|---|---|---|
| [Case ID:482] |
Case of Miss Anne Downman, sister of Dr Hugh Downman, who has suffered from hysterical symptoms and urinary tract ailments since the death of a brother in 1771. |
4 |
People linked to this document
| Person ID | Role in document | Person |
|---|---|---|
| [PERS ID:1] | Author | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:455] | Addressee | Dr Hugh Downman |
| [PERS ID:456] | Patient | Miss Anne Downman (Ann) |
| [PERS ID:1] | Patient's Physician / Surgeon / Apothecary | Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) |
| [PERS ID:455] | Patient's Relative / Spouse / Friend | Dr Hugh Downman |
Places linked to this document
| Role in document | Specific Place | Settlements / Areas | Region | Country | Global Region | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Writing | Edinburgh | Edinburgh and East | Scotland | Europe | inferred | |
| Destination of Letter | Exeter | South-West | England | Europe | inferred |
Normalized Text
Mr Downman
Delayed from hurry & uncertain how to advise
after considering the case again & again I am clearly
of opinion that the disease is not [so?] purely in
the mind as it may sometimes have appeared to be
The hysteric fits and the attack on the neck of
the bladder, put it beyond doubt that there is a great
deal of bodily disease and that this is probably at the
bottom of the affections of her mind. But when I
have thus settled the general notion I find it difficult
to say wherein the more particularly the ailment
consists and must be satisfied with saying that how
ever various the symptoms may have been that are
all to be referred to a weakness and delicacy of the
nervous system, ready to give very singular sensations
& various disorders both of mind & body - the mending
of such a constitution is often difficult, but by
time & [pains?] is frequently obtained - The chief reme¬
dies are those, which you have employed, these are
cold bathing, exercise, amusement & especially enga¬
ging the attention by new objects & new company
[Page 2]
Few medicines are very usefull, but I have found
the prescription subjoined very often of great ser¬
vice. It is to be continued for a fortnight only at
one time, then to be laid aside, but to be
repeated again sooner or later as the effects of
the first trial & the return of symptoms shall
direct. As the stomach and bowels do not seem
to be affected I have no advice to offer but
leave it to be ordered by what observation
you have made with respect to the juvantia
& lædentia. 1 In general I am of opinion that
a full diet & much animal food will do
harm. I expect no benefit from warm bathing nor
any from either sweating or purging, but a
regular belly is necessary.
Wn If I can be of any service of to you or
yours &c. ---
Thanks for the intended Compliment, but it
is too much 2 --------------
Take red steel and prepare ten grains and ten grains of each of powdered cinnamon and white sugar. Mix and make a powder and in an emergency make a dose of fourteen. Label: strengthening Powders. 1. to be taken in a little currant jelly & to be washed down with a glass of water into which is to be put from 10 to 20 drops of the following Tincture.
Take two ounces of Tincture of Mars according to the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, 1774. Label: strengthening Tincture
Diplomatic Text
Mr Downman
Delayed from hurry & uncertain how to advise
after considering the case again & again I am clearly
of opinion that the disease is not [so?] purely in
the mind as it may sometimes have appeared to be
The hysteric fits and the attack on the neck of
the bladder, put it beyond doubt that there is a great
deal of bodily disease and that this is probably at the
bottom of the affections of her mind. But when I
have thus settled the genl notion I find it difficult
to say wherein the more particularly the ailment
consists and must be satisfied with saying that how
ever various the symptoms may have been that are
all to be referred to a weakness and delicacy of the
nervous system, ready to give very singular sensations
& various disorders both of mind & body - the mending
of such a constitution is often difficult, but by
time & [pains?] is freqtly obtained - The chief reme¬
dies are those, which you have employed, these are
cold bathing, exercise, amusement & especially enga¬
ging the attention by new objects & new company
[Page 2]
Few meds are very usefull, but I have found
the prescription subjoined very often of great ser¬
vice. It is to be continued for a fortnight only at
one time, then to be laid aside, but to be
repeated again sooner or later as the effects of
the first trial & the return of symptoms shall
direct. As the stomach and bowels do not seem
to be affected I have no advice to offer but
leave it to be ordered by what observation
you have made with respect to the juvantia
& lædentia. 1 In general I am of opinion that
a full diet & much animal food will do
harm. I expect no benefit from warm bathing nor
any from either sweating or purging, but a
regular belly is necessary.
Wn If I can be of any service of to you or
yours &c. ---
Thanks for the intended Compliment, but it
is too much 2 --------------
℞ Rubig. ferr. pptt gr X cinnamom. pulv. sacch. alb. aa gr X
ℳ: f. pulvis et f.h.m. doses No XIV. - S. Strengthg Powders.
1. to be taken in a little currant jelly & to be washed down with a
glass of water into which is to be put from 10 to 20 drops of ye [follg?] Tincure
℞ Tinct. mart. Pharm. Ed. 1774 ℥ij. S. strengthg Tincture
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