DEP/DUA/1/39/40 (Normalised version)

May Pinkerton

1786

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Mary Pinkerton. April 15. 1786

In description of fits to which this patient subjected have all those symptoms which to be considered as necessary [constants] of Epilepsy.

Particularly involuntary actions of muscles naturally subjected to influence of will, attended with total insensibility or complete abolition of senses both externally & internally

By these alone, should consider this disease, as sufficiently marked.

But in other circumstances of hysteria, have also strong resemblance to it.

Among others, may mention occurrence of fits, in night time principally.

For though Epilepsy may occur at any time, yet then at least most frequent.

May mention also symptoms preceding fits such for example as lowness of spirits heaviness of head, & spasms, [illegible]

Symptoms by which fits terminated, & followed, copious discharge of high colour urine, flatus, anorexia etc.

And finally cause from which suspected to have origin, viz fright.

Need hardly mention, that in all these have common & ordinary appearance in Epilepsy.

And indeed, no symptom in case, which can be considered as peculiar.

But while thus pronounce it to be Epilepsy, should also from thence infer, that an obstinate instance of disease.

Cannot indeed say that has [resisted] employment of powerful remedies.

At least from account of patient herself but few employed.

But before came under our care disease had been of fourteen years standing

And when to this add that Epilepsy an affection often baffling every attempt to cure, could have no sanguine hopes.

Have indeed met with several cases, where under use, both of Cuprum Ammoniala, of Calx of Zinc, & of some other medicines also, disease has disappeared.

And was, for my own part at least, disposed to attribute removal to affect of remedy.

But at same time, a very considerable majority of cases, which have had [occasion] to treat, have resisted every remedy I could think off.

And have particularly found this to be case, when, as with present patient, treatment not begun, till considerable number of years, after commencement of affection.

On these grounds then, expectations here, at commencement of treatment, were I own but very faint.

At same time, circumstances by no means such, as on other hand to lead us to despair.

And nothing in case which to me appear, to occur as objections to those practices of which am disposed to entertain highest opinion.

During attendance of patient here, prospects at least, somewhat more favourable.

For since came under our care, has had no fit.

And at last report, had enjoyed interval from affection, for upwards of 7 weeks.

A period, more than double her usual interval.

This I own, am disposed to attribute to only remedy employed with this patient since came under care, viz Cuprum Ammoniala.

Without entering into any conjecture as to mode of operation would only mention that have met with several facts leading to favourable opinion

That is cases of patient whose fits have entirely disappeared during employment.

And when last spoke of present case mentioned a man whom had seen the preceding day whom I put on use of it, when subjected to frequent fits, & after employed it for about 3 months had continued perfectly free from any return for space of 18 months.

So that in him, great reason I think to hope that has been means of radical cure.

In present instance, seems at least, to have had affect of giving an interval from fit much longer than common.

Are therefore encouraged to persist in use, till have more reason to conclude that here also disease completely overcome

And of this, as already observed, have now I own greater hopes, than formerly

If no return shall be disposed to rank this among number of cures performed by Cuprum.

And even if should still I [think] may be considered, as showing influence of remedy, in this disease.