DEP/DUA/1/40/18 (Normalised version)

Nelly Gordon

(1786-1787)

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No18th.

Nelly Gordon at 26. December 8^th.

In case many symptoms.

What occur in various diseases.

And hardly characteristic of any.

Little doubt however that affection very common.

Particularly with Females at age of present patient.

viz Hysteria.

One of diseases [putting] on [great] variety of appearances.

Sometimes entirely one set of symptoms [sometimes] another.

But chiefly under one of two forms

Proper Hysteria fits & Hysteria Symptoms.

And in present instance example of latter.

Here not without some alarming symptoms.

Such for example as Deliquium Animi.

But always a disease more distressing than dangerous.

And seldom fatal unless by [consequences]

Even in apparently slightest cases [proves] often obstinate.

And this cannot be said of present.

For symptoms not only numerous but of considerable severity.

More in favour of patient that of short duration

For more easily cured in incipient than advanced state

From this then notwithstanding former circumstances some hopes.

Have directed Pill Foetid cum Aloe

From these expect some alleviation of symptoms

But little towards radical cure.

With this view is intention to try Zinc combined with Valerian.

From which in former instances benefits.

If fails variety of other practices [illegible] success.

But in choice determined by circumstances at the time.