DEP/DUA/1/35/30 (Normalised version)

Christ Geddes

1784

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Christ Geddes July 9^th 1784.

If in case last considered symptoms numerous & doubtful on other hand in present affection disease very obvious.

In that case however presumption that several of symptoms were consequences of an intermittent.

Here no doubt that were concomitant Diarrhoea.

Complaint we are told first communicated by pain in abdomen.

And this soon succeeded by frequent loose stools.

To this increased discharge patient had been subjected about three weeks before came under our care.

Not therefore surprising that should then have been affected with [thirst] want of appetite & loss of strength the principal other symptoms mentioned in case

For these almost unavoidable consequences of long continued discharge & affection of alimentary canal.

In present case therefore nothing singular or uncommon for Diarrhoea.

And that a disease which as occurring in this climate at least neither rare nor dangerous.

But of prognosis as patient already dismissed free from affection unnecessary to offer any observations.

May only remark that from beginning was disposed to consider it as what would soon yield to proper measures.

And now of opinion that termination which has taken place very much to be attributed to practices here employed.

When patient first applied for our assistance directed you will observe the use of an Emetic.

Emetics in cases of Diarrhoea of advantage on various grounds.

Often useful as giving determination to surface & thus diminishing that to intestinal canal.

No less so as discharging contents of stomach.

For thus prevents matters from making way downwards which if passed into intestinal canal, would support discharge.

And here besides these circumstances farther indicated by affect of appetite.

For reason to suspect that diminishment of it might proceed from load on stomach.

In operation of Emetic here ordered were not disappointed.

And to this in part at least disposed to refer recovery of patient.

Though at same time inclined to attribute still more to other medicines.

For besides Emetics had here recourse also to two other medicines.

The pill Thebaic viz taken to extent of grain V every night at bed time & a mixture of Infusion Japonica with Mucilage Gum Arabic taken to quantity of ℥i twice a day.

Of first of these efficacy entirely depends on opium.

For Jamaica pepper merely a corrigent while Soap & Liquor serve only to give form.

And in each grain V of mass opium contained to quantity of grain s.

This which hold to be equal to grain XV of [Liquid] Laudanum neither adequate indeed to [removal] of severe pain nor to [procuring] [illegible] in obstructive watchfulness.

But sufficient for allaying inordinate motion in alimentary canal when acts on parts affected.

While this used for allaying action

Infusion Japonica employed for restoring discharge [illegible] [illegible]

Of all the vegetable astringents few in such cases more safe or powerful.

And no form under which more elegantly exhibited than that of watery infusion.

For while completely dissolves mucous part & astringent united with it, earthy matter before adhering to mucus falls totally to bottom.

And from this very mucous impregnation often useful where other astringents particularly those, like Kino, containing resinous matter would be inadvisable.

Often even advantage from adding still larger proportion of mucilage.

And on this account, here directed, that to Infusion Japonica, a proportion of mucilage of Gum Arabic should be added.

Under use of these medicines in a short time patient freed from looseness

And soon after probably as consequence of that, all other symptoms ceased.

In this situation patient, free from affection dismissed from farther attendance.

And can I think be no doubt in attributing recovery to practices employed.