DEP/DUA/1/29/39 (Normalised version)

Mary Stevenson

(1782)

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Mary Stevenson.

Most distressing symptoms in this patients case affections of alimentary canal & pains in different parts of body.

These however can have no doubt in attributing to a uterine affection.

In some degree to excessive menstrual discharge but still more to succeeding Leucorrhoea.

These increased discharges naturally to be ascribed to accidents to which uterus subjected.

Particularly to injury sustained by repeated abortions.

From this circumstance more reason to dread affections obstinacy than if consequence merely of loss of tone.

At same time no circumstance [portending] immediate or even future danger.

No reason to suspect scirrhous, cancer or even ulceration of uterus.

At least of these no indications in any fixed pain or other symptoms with which in general attended.

Hope therefore that by proper means alleviation if not removal of disease may be obtained.

And although cannot say that hitherto any great progress yet may be affected by continuation of same course.

In treatment hitherto followed have you will observe had two objectives in view.

The restoration of tone to uterine vessels, & the obvious constipation.

Was with first of these intentions that had here recourse to powder of alum, combined with pulveris Cretacea.

Alum I need hardly observe is one of best astringents.

Its basis vitriol acid one of most powerful with which yet acquainted.

And in state of powder employed both in cases of bloody & serous discharge.

For most part however, combined with some other article to give form

Here both with that intention, & likewise as [adjuvant], had recourse to Pulveris Cretacea.

Which particularly indicated by prevailing acid at stomach.

Well known however, that acid on stomach, a very powerful cause [relaxing] tone.

Hence then, here the more necessary to destroy it, both for relief of patient, & for aiding operation of alum.

Besides this, as aiding cure, was necessary also to keep belly regular.

With this view, had recourse to Pill ex Colocynth cum Aloe.

And by continuation of these medicines, hope affection will be overcome