DEP/DUA/1/44/30 (Normalised version)

Alexander Paterson

1788

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N^o6 November 4^th. 1788.

Alexander Paterson at 39, complains of an acute deep seated pain in the joint of the left knee. It shoots from the knee upwards to the hip, & is much aggravated on motion, or exposure to cold. The motion of the joint is somewhat impaired, but upon examination there is no appearance of swelling upon any part of the joint. The limb affected upon comparison with the other appears to be somewhat emaciated.

Appetite, pulse, heat, respiration & all the other functions are perfectly natural.

He first perceived the pain about three years ago, & it has been gradually growing worse ever since

But it has been much aggravated within this last month. He attributes it to much exposure to cold.

He has used no medicine but some spirits rubbed upon the part. From this however he derived no relief.

Cap. Pil ex Hyosciam gr V om m & vesp. Nec non habeat Ungt Tereb. cum Opio ℥ ii. inung p. dol

November 8.

Has used the pills & ointment as directed, he thinks the pain of his knee somewhat diminished, & he can move it with more facility than before.

Cont Ungt. & cap.

Pil. ex Hyosciam gr X om. m & vesp.

15

Has continued the pills & ointment. The pain of the knee is as severe as before. But he can move the leg with rather more ease. He sleeps ill during the fore part of the night & is much affected with pains in the belly during the course of the day. But he has no looseness

Cont. Ungt. Tereb. cum Opio u. a. Cont etiam Pil ex Hyosciam. sed cap gr V solum. M. & vesp.

22.

Still thinks that he walks with more ease than before, but the pain of his knee is nothing diminished

And he still complains of uneasiness in his breast & belly which attributes to the pills

Interm. Med. & elicit indies Scintillae electricae e parte dolente

29

Still continues to walk with more ease than formerly, & thinks the pain of her¹ knee considerably diminished since the use of the Electricity, which however has only been employed once.

Cont. Electr. u. a.

14

Has not been electrified for some time past, as he has been confined to the house with cough, dyspnoea & pain of breast; & these symptoms still continue. The affection of his knee is much as before.

Cont. Elect u. a. nec non sumat bis indies. Pulv. Crem Tart comp. coch parv.

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Explanatory notes:

1) Refers to patient as 'her' but patient is male.