DEP/DUA/1/47/52 (Normalised version)

Betty Smith

1790

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No31 February 16^th. 1790

Betty Smith at 9, is subjected to almost constant involuntary contractions, which affect by turn different muscles of her legs & arms, producing inordinate motions & distortions, so that she can seldom remain at rest, even for the [space] of a minute at a time, & when she attempts to walk, from the irregularity of her steps, she seems always to be in danger of falling. The muscles of the trunk of her body, & of her head, are sometimes affected in a similar manner so that, contrary to her inclination, her head is twisted sometimes to the one side, sometimes to the other.

Pulse natural, Belly regular, Appetite bad. She sleeps well in the night, & during sleep, she is entirely free from the inordinate motions.

These complaints began about a fortnight ago, & at their commencement, she was perceived to have an imperfection in her speech, which however is now somewhat relieved.

Her present complaints, are supposed by her mother, to be the consequence of a fever to which she was subjected, about six weeks ago, & since which, she has never recovered her former strength.

She has taken a small quantity of Peruvian bark, since her present affection began, but without any perceptible benefit.

Rx. Zincum praecipitate gr V

Pulv. Valer ℈i M

cap dos ter de die.

27.

Has taken her powders regularly & is at present rather less affected with the involuntary motions than formerly.

Cont. Med. u. a.

March 13^th

Symptoms considerably diminished & she walks with much more ease than formerly.

Cont. Med. u. a.

20

Is now very little affected with the involuntary motions & in other respects in tolerable health.

Cont. Med. u. a.

27

Is now free from her complaint

Let her be dismissed