DEP/DUA/1/39/07 (Normalised version)

William Ritchie

1785

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N^o21 December 9. 1785

William Ritchie at 24 a weaver of a slender make with light coloured hair & eyes is distressed with a severe & frequent cough with gross expectoration of a yellow colour & taste somewhat sweetish, though some time ago very salt. He has considerable dyspnoea at times, & he is affected with a dull obtuse pain in the right side of the thorax, & under the sternum which is chiefly severe during coughing but is increased somewhat by pressure or by making a full inspiration

His cough often induces sickness at stomach & after meals vomiting. He is frequently troubled with flatulence & sometimes with acidity of stomach. He is sometimes subject to cold rigour which however are not followed with hot fits, or sweatings, & he never sweats but from too much exertion or exercise. His debility from these complaints is so great as to incapacitate him from his usual work.

Pulse quick & very feeble.

Appetite & Tongue natural. Thirst at times considerable. Belly bound

Sleeps tolerably in the night, for the cough becomes then easier.

These complaints commenced about six months ago & are now much worse. He imputes them to cold. About two months ago he had an attack of haemoptysis, he coughed up very frequently pure blood for a fortnight & had bloody expectoration for a week after. This came on without any known cause. He had a brother who died of consumption & he has a sister who is now affected with cough dyspnoea & pain of breast. He has used Emetics, blisters to the breast & laxatives without any benefit or alleviation of his complaints

Rx. Pulv. G. Myrrh

Crem Tart. aa ℥ p

Sal. Chalyb. Gr V M cap dos bis ind.

17 Has taken the powders as directed which sit easily on his stomach but have had no obvious operation. Cough somewhat easier other symptoms much as before & his expectoration is still very copious. Belly rather bound. Pulse about 100 feeble & rather irregular. Tongue clean

Cont. Pulv. G. Myrrh. sed cap dos ter indies.

24. The powders have no affect in moving his belly which is still rather bound. His cough & Dyspnoea continue rather easier & he expectorates with more facility than formerly.

Cont. P. G. Myrrh u. a

31. Cough still severe expectoration rather diminished. Pulse 100.

Cont. Pulv. G. Myrrh. u. a.

January 7^th The cough & pain of his breast are considerably diminished & he thinks himself in other respects easier, but he is affected with considerable hoarseness. Pulse 100 & small. Cont Pulv. G. Myrrh. u. a. & Cap. Mist Oleos. ℥p ter de die.

14 Hoarseness little relieved from the use of the Mistura Oleosa & he is still at times affected with severe cough particularly on exposure to cold weather. He sleeps well in the night & lies with equal ease on both sides. Pulse about 100. Tongue clean particularly towards the point.

Cont. Pulv. G. Myrrh. u. a.  & Repet. Mist. oleos.

January 21 Continues his medicines regularly & is now little affected with the hoarseness, but his cough is still very severe particularly when he goes first to bed & on exposure to cold air

Interm Mist Oleos. Cont. Pulv. G. Myrrh. u. a.

28 Had a return of the Haemoptysis on Thursday last, which has continued in some degree ever since that time; & he complains much of pain in his breast.

Interm. Pulv. G. Myrrh & ap [vesic] p. dol. pect. Rx Pulv. Crem Tart

℥I. Pulv. Sal. Nitri ℥ii cap coch parv. ter indies.

February 4^th There was a copious discharge from the blister, since which the pain of breast is considerably alleviated. He has taken his powders regularly & is now free from the spitting of blood; but still very much distressed with cough.

Cont. Pulv. Crem Tart u. a.

11 Has had no return of the bloody expectoration, but is still much affected with severe cough & pain in his right side.

Cont. Pulv. Crem Tart. u. a. applic vesic p. dol. lat. & postea f. fontic ope Ungt. Epispast.