DEP/DUA/1/12/25 (Normalised version)

Margaret Whately

(1776-1777)

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Margaret Whately.

Case of this patient does not afford room for many remarks either with respect to nature of the disease or practice.

From account indeed at first given by patient might have entertained some doubt respecting nature

Was represented as principally a periodic pain.

And that too not affecting stomach but bowels

For although struck to region of kidney & even remained fixed there for some time yet could have no suspicion of local affection

Evidently did not originate there.

And besides no affection of urine.

Was then even from first disposed to look upon it as depending on flatulence & stomach

But consider this atonic state as more an affection of duodenum than stomach.

And was on this ground that disposed to explain absence of cardialgia vomiting & other symptoms of Dyspepsia.

Of which no mention made in history of case as given by our patient when first came under care.

But whether she had not at first been sufficiently particular or whether other symptoms had afterwards supervened do not know, at very first report however found that principal part of complaint vomiting & soreness at stomach.

And from after appearance in case could have little doubt in pronouncing it to be principally a stomach ailment.

Did not indeed in every circumstance exactly correspond to definition of Dyspepsia.

Had however no hesitation in considering & treating it as principally of that nature.

No circumstance in history of this case which could lead us to consider patient as in a dangerous situation

Yet must own was suspicious that complaint might prove tedious.

Patient a female & therefore less disposed to take much exercise out of doors which I own am inclined to consider as most effective means of cure.

Besides this complaint had already been of some months duration

And was advanced at period of life when affections are not in general most speedily overcome.

Event of case however in some measure exceeded expectations.

For in no long time symptoms so much alleviated that at her own desire we agreed that her attendance should be discontinued.

Must however observe that far from considering her as what may be called radically cured.

For on slightest irregularity will probably again have recurrence of affection.

And indeed as far as our treatment went was intended rather to obviate present affection than to remove cause.

Objective at which here principally aimed was not so much restoring tone as expulsion of wind, prevention of constipation, & destruction of acid.

With two first intentions used Pill Gum

With last had recourse to Magnesia.

And in objectives aimed at from these were not disappointed.

For although progress to recovery not uniform yet symptoms in short time almost totally removed.

After this should probably have thought of putting patient on gentle tonic for some time.

But as she herself desirous of discontinuing attendance, while should remain thus easy, complied with her desire