DEP/DUA/1/30/32 (Normalised version)

William Williamson

(1782-1783)

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William Williamson.

With regard to case of this patient shall at present say very little.

For must own have not been able to form any decisive opinion with regard to it.

And although different practices tried sometimes with apparent benefits yet have been chiefly employed in observing progress of affection.

And of attending to these changes which have occurred.

Here no hesitation in considering principal symptoms to depend upon affection of alimentary canal.

Is characterised chiefly by vomiting and acid at stomach, flatulence gripes & constipation.

While under these symptoms patient now so much exhausted as to be very little able to get out of bed.

Am inclined to consider it then as one of worst instances of Dyspepsia that I have ever met with.

For here do not see any good reason for concluding that there takes place any local affection

From scirrhous or stricture at the pylorus indeed such symptoms will often arise.

But in such a case some local hardness in general felt by external examination.

And if affection has not gradual recovery continues uniformly severe.

But in present case both these circumstances against that supposition.

For neither local affection discovered nor complaint uniformly severe.

At times appetite considerably restored & belly even open.

Effects in some degree at least to be attributed to medicines employed.

At the same time must observe that has never taken medicine regularly

For what thought relieved him one day has appeared to him to aggravate affection next.

And has sometimes had considerable ease when taking nothing

In this situation then look upon him as very unfit subject for trial of any medicine.

And shall not be surprised if in no long time falls victim to disease.

Unless some circumstances occur leading us to particular plan, shall probably [illegible] endeavour merely in attempting to alleviate symptoms.

Is with this view that for some time past has been kept on use of Magnesium & Peppermint water.

First with view of counteracting acid latter flatulence.

And as these do not now [procure] natural stool at last report ordered also a small proportion of Elixir [ex] Aloe & Rheo or Sacred Elixir

According to effect of these may be regulated in future practices.

And if in this case any circumstances shall occur leading to any particular plan may afterwards be subject of remarks.