DEP/DUA/1/28/22 (Normalised version)

David Shark

(1781-1782)

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David [Shark].

Disease of this patient principally consists of involuntary & inordinate muscular contraction of legs & arms.

And although not without singularity yet have little hesitation in considering it as instance of Convulsivo or Chorea.

And that too in pure & uncomplicated state.

This disease not a very frequent occurrence in practice.

Yet in Dispensary & private practice have of late years met with several instances of it

And judging from event of [these] hoped I own that before now present affection would have had favourable termination.

In this however have been disappointed.

For from medicines hitherto employed have hardly been able to obtain even temporary remission.

First article to which had here recourse was Calx of Zinc.

A medicine of advantages to be derived from which, in certain convulsive & spasmodic affections, have already oftener than once has occasion to state opinion

Here given under form of pills with bread, one of easiest modes of taking it.

At first seemed to give some relief.

And in this state, sat easily upon his stomach.

But after finding that made no considerable progress in cure ordered dose to be increased.

And at same time directed its being given in conjunction with Valerian.

But in this alteration rather precipitous.

For whether from Valerian or merely from augmentation of Zinc did not now [set] on stomach.

Obliged therefore either to desert aim or to alter form again

And as now already tried for space of several weeks determined on former.

In place of Zinc therefore had next recourse to Cuprum Ammoniala.

An article of which also have I own good opinion.

And have no hesitation in asserting that during present course have seen an epileptic cured by it, in case of Margaret Gray.

Under use of Cuprum Ammoniala has now continued for some weeks.

But without any material change for better.

But do not yet consider this medicine as having had full trial.

Mean therefore as patient still in [illegible] [illegible] for some time longer to persist in use increasing dose

If shall then fail next propose trial of Electricity.

And if all abortive will lead me rather to consider case as obstinate than medicine as void of power.