DEP/DUA/1/18/15 (Normalised version)

Margaret Burnet

(1778-1779)

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Margaret Barnet.

Formerly pronounced disease of this patient to be an affection of the Rheumatic kind.

And although affection attended with some unfavourable symptoms yet looked upon it as a case which might for present at least be cured in short time

Yet expressed apprehensions that from slightest cause, patient would be liable to renewal of complaint for whole remainder of winter, perhaps for whole remainder of life

How far last prediction well founded cannot yet positively say.

Apprehensions however so far groundless that hitherto at least patient has had no relapse.

While at same time am happy to say that in former part of prognostics have not been disappointed.

For when dismissed patient, as free from affection of wrists as if never subjected to it.

How far this recovery to be ascribed to treatment here employed, cannot venture to assert in most positive manner.

Yet think it at least highly probable that cure to be ascribed to medicines on which she was put.

And indeed only restrained from positive conclusion here, by present case being as it were a solitary fact.

For present only instance in which have had opportunity of [seeing] cure performed by medicine, on which this patient was put the Rhododendron.

Of history of this Siberian vegetable gave some account when last spoke of case of this patient.

And then observed that with her had been attended in great measure at least with same obvious operation as is represented to Dr Guthrie to have with the Siberians when used in larger doses.

Had disease continued obstinately should as formerly proposed have [pushed] it in infusion to utmost extent that patient could bear

But after last spoke of case had no farther opportunity of remarking operation.

For patient afterwards for some weeks prevented from attending us, as confined to house by other symptoms particularly by supervening catarrhal affection.

Formerly observed however, that such obvious operation & so great change of symptoms to better, that as far a single case would go was inclined to think favourably of the medicine.

And termination which disease has now had, does not lead me to alter opinion.

Reckon it much more probable that cure to be ascribed to medicines employed than that arose from any natural revolution in system.

And should have no hesitation in pronouncing this opinion were efficacy of the medicine, confirmed by similar success in other cases.

Such however I must own have not yet occurred in my practice

On contrary in some other cases have used it without benefit.

And do not learn that in hands of some other practitioners who have tried it in this country has been attended with great success

At same time no medicines, particularly those with respect to which mode of administration not properly settled, to be [discarded] from want of success at first.

And if have not heard of many in which has made cure have yet heard of some in which obvious [operation] has been considerable.

This circumstance then joined to [success] which am inclined to consider it as having had in present case

Will lead me to give it trial in others.

And accordingly have prescribed it to another patient whose case also I intend as subject of lecture & practice here that is Elizabeth Gray.

If there opportunity of using it in manner that could wish, shall probably be afterwards able to say more respecting it.