DEP/DUA/1/42/02 (Normalised version)

James Ritchie

(1787-1788)

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N^o2 James Ritchie. at 8

Respecting case of this patient not without doubts.

Symptoms presented not such as certainly to characterise any disease.

While at the same time are what often attend commencement of different affections.

All of them common symptoms in cases of worms

All of them common symptoms in incipient hydrocephalus.

Particularly where of acute kind.

All of them symptoms arising more from trifling irritations in alimentary canal.

Of these there opinion most inclined to last.

When afterwards treat of case at more length shall state to you circumstances both for and against each of these different suppositions.

But is on whole one of those affections [where] in order to form decisive judgement must see more of it.

And till then most prudent plan at least to do but little.

Accordingly endeavours hitherto directed to evacuation of alimentary canal.

And on any view of disease from this at least no inconvenience to be dreaded.

From affects of these remedies, & from situation in which shall next find patient more decisive judgement as to nature of affection to be formed.

And on this future plan of cure must proceed.