DEP/DUA/1/23/20 (Normalised version)

John Brown

(1780)

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John Brown.

Of this patients complaint the greatest parts are obvious.

Consists of eruption of Herpetic kind under axilla.

To this without its arising from any obvious cause, patient has now been subjected for space of month.

But for some time at least, no appearance of its affecting health in any other respect.

But of late to this eruption, has been superadded another symptom

A periodic headache viz returning regularly every morning, & continuing with violence for space of several hours.

Here not impossible that this might have been connected with other part of affection.

At same time reckoned it more probable that totally unconnected

And was inclined to consider it, merely as an accidental combination.

Such periodic headaches by no means uncommon.

Particularly as constituting what may be called anomalous intermittent symptoms.

For often such periodic headaches occur, when hardly any other symptom of fever.

Particularly as consequence of a regular intermittent.

Although such however had not here occurred, yet was inclined to consider it as of this nature.

And when is so, in general more easily removed than any regular intermittent.

This however for most part at least within power of medicine.

And particularly as occurring in this country.

Hoped therefore that this part of affection would neither prove tedious nor dangerous.

Sentiments not more unfavourable with regard to other part

For although eruption of herpetic kind not unfrequently very obstinate, yet here but comparatively speaking of short continuation.

Had not resisted power of any of those medicines, by which probability that might be combated.

And had apparently no tendency to that state in which found most obstinately to resist means of cure.

That is where puts on dry & scaly appearance.

Upon whole therefore, hoped that in no long time, might be freed from affection

Of this complaint however reckoned eruption, under arm to be that which first claimed attention.

And imagined that most effectively combated by topical application.

While however from curing this put stop as it were to accustomed discharge became necessary to employ some means of compensating this evacuation

Was with this intention therefore that directed measures, to which on commencing treatment of this case had here recourse.

Antimony in its crude state, employed as means of giving determination to [surface]

And thus [proportioned] by [illegible] [thus] a more free discharge.

This affect have I think in many such instances observed to result from use

And is thus I apprehend that found to have considerable effect in giving smooth & silky appearance to skin of Horses.

A purpose for which often employed by the Farriers.

While [there] however expected that discharge would be compensated, became necessary to diminish action of vessels at part.

For this purpose had recourse to solution of Saccharum Saturnine.

Under this treatment eruption soon changed for better.

Still however headache remained as before.

A circumstance which consider as affording farther proof that unconnected with eruption

From sentiments respecting it here naturally led to trial of Emetic.

Since that however have heard nothing more of patient.

At same time probable that this has been consequence of his being now also freed from this complaint as well as formerly from eruption.