DEP/DUA/1/37/52 (Normalised version)

Bell Rattray

(1785)

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Bell Rathay.

This patient can hardly be considered as having been ever subject of [practice] here.

For soon after admission on list, gave up attending.

Thus have never had opportunity of knowing effects, even of first prescription.

Hence then unnecessary to offer almost any observations with respect to case.

May only remark, that could not form any decided opinion respecting affection.

But was upon whole disposed to consider her case, as being a Rheumatic affection.

And of this kind supposed both affection of head & teeth, also of inferior extremities to be.

With regard to prognosis was in hopes that might soon be brought to a favourable conclusion.

For although had already subsisted for some months yet did not seem to be attended with any marks of inveteracy.

Had not, as far as could learn, resisted the influence of any powerful remedies.

And on idea of its being of the Rheumatic kind, had even reason to hope, that occurrence of mild weather, would operate as powerful means of cure.

Here was intention, to have tried effect of a practice, which have had formerly occasion to mention.

The conjunction viz of Calomel, with opium.

This you will find of late highly extolled by Dr Hamilton, of Lyme Regis in a paper published in Medical Commentaries

And although for my own part [cannot] say that have yet any experience of it still from accuracy & judgment of author inclined to think favourably.

And particularly in my opinion promises advantage in Rheumatic cases.

For in more violent inflamed affections in which Dr Hamilton recommends it, as in Pleurisy Perineum, etc no time for operation.

What however will be effects, to be determined by concurrent testimony of different observers.

And what have been effects in this case, as already remarked have had no opportunity of learning.

Hence then any farther suggestions respecting plan of cure or any other remarks concerning case altogether unnecessary.