DEP/DUA/1/46/06 (Normalised version)

Jean Holbert

(1789)

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N^o6. Jean Holbert. at 10.

The case of this girl in some respects an ambiguous one.

If to judge from appearance alone, little hesitation in pronouncing syphilis.

And that too notwithstanding early age of patient.

At least have before met with instances of it, at as early period of life.

An opinion in its consequences dreadful prevalent among vulgar that may get rid of the disease by communication to others.

And in consequence of this, have before met with very young girls infected by [abased] wretches, attempting that mode of cure.

From first sight of case was I own disposed to consider it as of that kind.

But upon farther inquiry great doubts

Particularly positive assertion of mother that could not conclude any exposure to infection.

And if had known or even suspected anything of that kind would have been ready to tell us.

From this then naturally led to suspicion of Scrofula.

And this I own have before frequently seen affect inguinal glands.

Must however observe that more common in inferior than superior.

And in latter venereal buboes more common.

Have never also for my own part met with scrofula attended with ulceration of labia pudenda.

But at same time not to be denied that scrofula tumours & ulcers, may occur on any part of body.

And here besides want of venereal infection supposition of Scrofula not only corroborated by age of patient but also by hereditary taint.

Cannot indeed say that disease of parents.

At least contrary asserted by mother.

But at same time two of other children according to her own account subjected to distinctly marked scrofula.

Hence strong presumption that all acted upon by some common cause.

And more probable that this hereditary than acquired.

At same time not impossible that with all the affects of poor living or of mode in which child reared.

But at any rate still evident indication in the family strong disposition to Scrofula.

Hence when consider it as instance of Scrofula look upon it as bad case.

And when consider [obstruction] of disease even in slightest form, can hardly have sanguine expectations of recovery

At same time patient yet at period of life from which even many natural [causes].

And at which if artificial cure can be accomplished is at least to be attempted.

Imagine therefore, that no improper instance for trial of a remedy lately introduced against this affection, by a very ingenious & able Physician & Philosopher Dr Crawford of London.

Remedy to which I allude Barytes dissolved in [ Muriated] acid or Terra powder inuriata.

Having lately heard that Dr Crawford had employed this remedy I wrote to him on the subject.

He very freely & readily communicated to me by letter result of his experience.

And that letter I have inserted in a volume of Medical Commentaries which will be published on 1^st of January next.

But a still more full account of it, soon published in volume of London Medical Commentaries, at present in the press.

In this paper Dr Crawford gives account of all cases he has treated at St Thomas hospital with this medicine.

For us sufficient here to observe that Dr Crawford has employed it in many scrofula cases

And from these concluded that is capable of removing scrofula, when has arrived at last stage & assumed most malignant form

He has found it also operates as palliative in many instances of Cancer.

And in two removed the disease.

Is used under form of saturn solution of the salt in water.

To this however a little excess of acid added.

Dose from four to eight or ten drops in conv. ventric twice a day.

Requires however pure water, as from hard water precipitation.

But of this & other particulars shall offer more remarks when again speak of this case.

Shall only observe that is my wish & intention to give it here a fair trial.

But for reasons too obvious to require mention reckon it prudent to begin with small doses.