DEP/DUA/1/38/44 (Normalised version)

Robert Lamb

1785

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N^o4^th November 4^th. 1785.

Robert Lamb. at 4 of a tolerably stout make, but rather unhealthy appearance, with light coloured hair & eyes, is affected with a severe pain in the abdomen, the seat of which, the parents think is in the stomach & intestines.

This pain is always tolerably easy in the day, but very distressing in the night, with much delirium, starting & grinding of the teeth. During the day, he often picks his nose. Belly not bound, but he is affected with frequent tenesmus. Faeces remarkably frothy. There is also a frequent ejection of small worms, which, from the description, are ascarides.

He has too, some cough, but without any expectoration. Pulse natural at present, no thirst, tongue clean, appetite not increased

These complaints commenced about four months ago, with headache & pain about the stomach.

He was sick for a fortnight, but without any vomiting. And he passed a few of these small worms, after taking some worm powders.

He then had a purgative, which operated powerfully, & after that, he was much better for some weeks, but soon relapsed. About eight days ago he had some powder of Tin & a dose of Senna which produced another discharge, but not the smallest alleviation of the symptoms.

His mother supposes his disorder to proceed from some inward stress.

He formerly enjoyed good health & is of healthy parents.

November 5.

Rx. Calomel. gr i.

Magnes Alb. gr V [hab] dos [lat.] iii. cap. I. allum quag. nocte. nec non Rx Tinct

Jalap. ℥ p Syr. Simp. ℥i

M cap ℥p mama die jovis & repet. om. bihor. donec superv. catharsis.

12 Has taken the powders as directed which had a slight affect in opening his belly, & the first dose of his mixture operated briskly as a cathartic. But his mother has observed no worms excepting one of the ascarides kind. She thinks he is less affected during the night than formerly, but he still complains of the pain of his belly & is a good deal distressed with the cough.

Interm Med. & Rx. Vin. Rhei. Syr Simp aa ℥i. Mucil. G. Arab. Ag. Cinnam Simp. aa ℥ii M cap. ℥p. ter de die.

19. Has taken the mixture regularly without any obvious operation, but his symptoms are somewhat mitigated. He sleeps better during the night & is less affected with the gripes. Belly however still somewhat swelled & his appetite is impaired. Cough & breathing easier. Cont. Mist. cum Vin Rhei. u. a.