DEP/DUA/1/39/41 (Normalised version)

Archibald McDonald

1786

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N^o38. February. 24^th 1786

Archibald McDonald at 50 a chairman¹ is attacked every evening, about eight o’Clock with a chillness over his whole body which after continuing about two hours is followed by a hot stage & sweating which lasts till morning. The cold stage is attended with severe headache, pain of the back & breast & sickness at stomach which also in general continues in some degree till the morning. He is troubled with frequent Pyrosis & acidity & sometimes with gripes & flatus. Pulse about 75 of moderate strength. Tongue clean

Thirst increased in the morning & a bad taste of mouth. Belly costive

He has been affected with the above complaints for three months

The fits used to recur only every third day, but about a month ago after taking a strong emetic they became more frequent & for three weeks he has had them every day. He imputes his complaints to cold & moisture. He has used no other medicines than the Emetics

Cap. Pulv. Ipecac Ji. pro. Emet & Rx. Pulv. Cort. Peruv ℥i

Sal. Amm. er. ℥i

M. Cap. coch [4ter] de die

March 4^th The vomit operated well, & he has taken the powders as directed. He has had no fit for these two nights past but is still affected with a sense of coldness & shivering in the evening.

Interm. Pulv. Cort. Per.

Hab. Cort. [Querc] Pulv. ℥i cap. coch parv. 4ter indies

11 Has taken the powders regularly but has had a sweating fit almost every night, during the course of the present week. These however have not been preceded by shivering.

Repet. Pulv. Cort. Querc. addend Pulv. Cort Cassiae ℥i.

18 Has still some irregular returns of slight [jus] but in other respects easier.

Cont. Pulv Cort Querc. u. a

25. Has had a cold fit every day since last report & it has been succeeded by pretty copious sweating. Interm Cort. Querc. & Repet. Cort. Peruv cum Sal. Ammon. u. a.

April 1 Has taken three doses of the cortex daily since the last report & has had no cold fit since Sunday after which the sweating was very profuse. He still continues to sweat during the night & is much affected with cough

Cont. Cortex cum Sal. Amm u. a

April. 8. Has no return of cold fits, but still sweats in the night

Cont. Cort. u. a.

15. Has had no return of any regular paroxysm & in other respects continues better. Cont. Cort. u. a.

But let him be remitted to the ordinary attendance.

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Explanatory notes:

1) Occupation involving transporting people around the city in a sedan chair. A common occupation in cities such as Edinburgh with narrow winding streets which could not accommodate a horse and carriage.