DEP/DUA/1/47/45 (Normalised version)

Susan Gowans

(1790)

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No27. Susan Gowans, at 12.

In disease of this patient, as formerly observed an evident example of a cutaneous affection, better entitled to name of Leprosy than any other.

In most respects similar to case of case of Alison Wallace which had lately occasion to consider.

And of the two might perhaps be considered as in [application] the least favourable.

At same time nothing which could be considered as urgent.

And was intention to try with this patient a different practice that might have opportunity of contrasting various modes of treatment in affections at least similar.

Had recourse you will observe to an external application from which not much to be expected viz Unguent Saturn.

This in place of stimulating power of Unguent Citrine, merely a mild and & gentle application.

And if any other affect than that of mere unguent matter, would be that of allaying action in superficial vessels.

For saturn medicine in general at least allowed to possess a sedentary power

And here expected nothing farther than merely promoting the removal of scales to which applied.

With view to cure had here recourse to another medicine, of which hitherto but little experience & which have not before tried in any cutaneous complaint.

The solution viz of Muriated Barytes.

Of this medicine as introduced in cure of Scrofula by Dr Crawford of London have already offered some observations.

And then remarked that had found it not only successful in these but also even in Cancer.

If this really the case may I think presume, that has great influence both as changing state of action of vessels & as removing obstruction.

And on these grounds had reason to hope that would be found useful in cutaneous eruption.

Directed it therefore in distilled water to extent of [gt] V for dose.

At first without any obvious operation.

And this in general case when taken even to larger dose.

During course of 2^d week however whether from state of stomach, or some other accidental circumstance was sometimes followed by vomiting.

This however did not consider as any sufficient reason for discontinuing use.

And the rather encouraged to persist as eruption somewhat mended.

Whether vomiting accidental or not in no long time ceased to be consequence of medicine.

In so much that thought it even advisable to increase dose a little.

And under augmented dose has now persisted for several weeks, without any inconvenience & with considerable diminishment of symptoms.

Is therefore still [my] intention to persist in giving it fair & full trial.

Rather however in way of proper continuation than by large dose at once.

For is also by continuation & not by quantity of many active medicines that disease to be eradicated.

This particularly applies with respect to Antimony Mercury etc.

And same also may hold with respect to others even where dose not limited by violence of medicine.

What will ultimately be effect of this medicine either in present case or others of similar nature cannot pretend to say.

But may observe that present trial as far as has gone rather in favour of medicine than otherwise.