DEP/DUA/1/21/19 (Normalised version)

Christian Archer

(1779-1780)

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Christian Archer.

Symptoms enumerated in case of this patient show evidently, very different diseases.

Palpitation of heart to which had been subjected for many years in all probability a nervous symptom.

Pains of different joints particularly in hip joint, & thighs with which had been long affected were manifestly of Rheumatic kind.

While as little reason to doubt that affection of her breast, of the submaxillary glands, & of whole surface of body under form of eruption were venereal symptoms.

To two former complaints had for long time been subjected and did not give her much uneasiness.

While at same time little reason to apprehend that would be soon or much aggravated.

Was then solely with view to last that was taken under our care.

While this affection of recent date could be no reason to doubt that communicated by mouth of child to nipple.

And from this, peculiarity in appearance in as far as here occurs to be explained.

Here I thought from beginning that little reason to doubt that patient would at length get rid of affection.

This end however sooner accomplished than I expected

And with regard to cure of Syphilis may observe that although prognosis may very generally be favourable yet time necessarily extremely uncertain.

And this probably more from differences in action of mercury in different systems than from any other cause.

Into any observations however on this subject cannot now propose to enter.

May only remark that among different mercurial preparations had here recourse to Calomel.

This hold to be of intermittent nature [between] corrosive sublimate & common mercurial pill.

In short time had evidence of action as entering system from affection of mouth.

And as soon as this was the case symptoms manifestly began to decline.

In future treatment was objective to keep patient with system charged with Mercury to same degree.

And in order to prevent its being thrown off by the mouth or any considerable affect of salivatory glands had recourse to repeated doses of a refrigerant purgative.

As such here employed Glauber Salt

And in my own practice at least may observe that have found nothing equally effective in giving check to salivation.

Does indeed in some measure discharge Mercury from system.

But [preventing] greater discharge than otherwise would take place by salivatory glands

How far same intention more effectively [illegible] by application of a blister cannot from own practice pretend to determine.

Yet am told on experience of others that this really the case.

And from theory much disposed to the opinion.

Under course mentioned however symptoms of patient in no long time completely disappeared.

And dismissed freed at least from this part of affection.