DEP/DUA/1/35/13 (Normalised version)

Thomas Sinclair

1784

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N^o7. May 20^th 1784

Thomas Sinclair at 60 has an affection of the right arm extending from his shoulder down to the tip of his fingers which are constantly fixed in the palm of his hand, & with an entire want of motion in those parts that are most affected.

He says however that the sensation of the diseased side is still complete. At evening upon going to bed he is always attacked with a severe fit of coughing, which continues till he falls asleep. Pulse pretty regular & uniform in both arms. Belly sometimes bound sometimes loose. Appetite very good, & he always sleeps well when the cough does not disturb him.

About five months ago he was first attacked with his present symptoms, which seized him very suddenly. The first symptom that appeared was a total loss of speech to which succeeded in a short time the affection of his arm.

He has been in the Infirmary¹ for this complaint & has derived very considerable benefit from the practice there employed.

[He] then recovered his speech tolerably well & the motion of his fingers in some degree but still he can make no use whatever of his right hand & the power of moving other parts of the arm, is very inconsiderable.

May 21 Elici. Saint. Elect. indies e partivus apprim affect & cap. Pulv. Crem Tart. comp. coch parv. om. m. & vesp.

June 5^th Has continued the electricity regularly, but the affection of his arm & hand are much as before. The powder keeps his belly gently open.

Cont. Med u. a

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Explanatory notes:

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