DEP/DUA/1/42/06 (Normalised version)

Duncan Stewart

(1787-1788)

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N^o6. Duncan Stewart at 77.

Affection of this patient consists almost entirely in open ulceration in Scrotum.

At least little doubt that to this all symptoms to be attributed.

And as little that this ulceration of a cancerous nature.

Nay from ichor discharge & frequent haemorrhage

From [illegible] edges.

And from excessive pain, may even consider it as in worst state.

When this the case need hardly add that hopes of cure extremely slight.

Particularly as from situation & other circumstances does not admit of operation.

Cancer long ranked among [illegible] [medical]

And although at different times particular articles held forth as certain modes of cure yet farther experiments has demonstrated that of little avail.

And for my own part at least have met with no case where cancer had proceeded to same extent as in present case which did not in end prove fatal.

This therefore I take it for granted will be conclusion of disease with present patient

And that too probably in no long time.

For although has not yet produced what can be called proper hectic fever yet evident quick & irregularity of pulse.

And should not be surprised at his being attacked with shivering fits as prelude to severe febrile accession.

This however need not prevent us from having recourse to measures both with view to alleviation & cure.

But after fruitless attempts already made difficult to say what remains to be tried.

For told that during course of affection patient has used considerable variety of medicines without either checking progression of affection or even giving temporary ease.

And among these may presume that all more common remedies Cicuta Opium etc had recourse to.

These circumstances led me to begin treatment here by employment of deadly night shade or Belladonna.

The atropa Belladonna of Linnaeus.

An article which need hardly observe long reckoned among most deleterious of vegetable poisons.

And of which for my own part have hitherto no experience.

Has however of late been recommended as remedy for cancer & employed I am told with apparent success by some practitioners at this place.

Use extended not only to Cancer but also to other diseases.

And a dissertation lately [written] [professedly] with respect to it by Dr Munch¹ a German recommends it in cases of Mania Melancholia & Epilepsy. Medical Commentaries 12^th

On these grounds mean to give it trial in present instance.

Increased dose with that caution which a medicine of such activity requires

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Explanatory notes:

1) Johann Heinrich Münch, Dissertatio inauguralis medica sistens observationes practicas circa usum belladonnae, in melancholia, mania, et epilepsia (1783).