DEP/DUA/1/24/03 (Normalised version)

Catherine Gordon

(1780-1781)

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Cath Gordon

From description of case as introduced into register¹ was inclined to think that exhibited a singular affection.

Especially when consider early period of life viz 9^th year.

Complaint of patient consists principally of severe cough.

In appearance however somewhat [singular]

Hardly perhaps to be considered as particular that returns in severe fits at uncertain intervals.

But to be observed that is not a common catarrhal affection or depending on irritation of mucus.

For here no expectation of the mucus giving irritation.

But besides this cough attended also with other uncommon appearance.

During fits of coughing pain beginning in left hypochondriac region is from thence propagated to oesophagus & fauces.

In its course according to description of patient is affected with sensation of ball moving in these parts.

And from this are told there is produced great difficulty of breathing

In the symptoms now mentioned will be at no loss to discover what in general considered as characteristic mark of hysteria.

That these therefore here connected little room to doubt.

And this by no means a rare occurrence.

If therefore to give disease a name according to present nosological² system should consider it as case of Tussis Hysterica of Mr Sauvages.

But perhaps with still greater propriety cough to be considered rather as hysteria symptom than anything else.

And accordingly find in writings of best practical authors this represented among other forms, which disease puts on.

Particularly mentioned by the accurate Sydenham in treatise de Hysteria passione.

Is however to be observed that there described as occurring only, at age when hysteria prevalent.

To such a supposition therefore may be thought that some objection, from patient being only in 9^th year.

But on other hand to be observed, that distressing nervous or hysterical coughs described as taking place even [this] early.

Thus in Dr Whytts very valuable dissertation on Nervous Hysteria & Hypochondriac diseases³, a case of this kind very accurately described which occurred with girl in 8^th year of age.

This then opinion as to nature of patients disease

And was in hopes that while exhibited examples of this affection by no means frequently occurring, in such circumstances, might also be able to show example of [cure].

But with regard to prognosis as well as practice in this case remarks are now superseded.

For as will observe by the register in consequence of accidental cut in head which afterwards met with carried to infirmary⁴.

May only then remark that directed trial of Zinc, from persuasion that is a powerful medicine as allaying disposition to inordinate action.

And accordingly in some instances of very violent nervous coughs has been attended with most beneficial effects.

But from circumstances already mentioned intended trial prevented.

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Explanatory notes:

1) References are made throughout the case notes to a dispensary patient register. However, no evidence has been found that this register survives.

2) Nosology is the branch of medical science dealing with the classification of diseases. Individuals referred to in the case notes as nosologists were commonly those who had published nosological, or classificatory, medical texts.

3) Robert Whytt, Observations on the nature, causes, and cure, of those disorders, which have been commonly called nervous, hypochondriac, or hysteric (1765).

4) The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, established in 1729.