DEP/DUA/1/11/21 (Transcript version)

Sarah Mills

(1776-1777)

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Anoth patient lately dismissd from attendance Sarah Mills.

Of her disease already spoken & after what already said very little now to be observd.

For during whole course no reason to alter either opin or practice.

Formerly no diffic in pronoun. that [diseas] of Rheumat kind.

And if no sympt has since occurrd to confirm opin as few to create any doubt.

Sympt. with which has been affected during contin under care could indicate no other compl.

And indeed except slight ulcerat of legs has merely had cont of sympt mentiond in case.

These merely superficial, and indeed hardly an obj. meriting any attent.

Pains not entirely without temper. encrease of [severity].

Yet upon whole more regul progr to recovery than here expected.

Prediction therefore that in no long time would enjoy tolerable health has at least been fulfilld

How far assertion, that might again be subj to renewal of compl well [founded] yet remains to be determ.

Shall not be displeased to learn that in this respect fears be found groundless.

If contrary happen not improbab that may again apply for assist.

After former observat on plan of cure nothin now to be added.

Viewd case as one in which, with [aton] state, still some remain of inflam. [diath]

Neither consid it therefore as on one hand propr for Peruv. Bark & Cold bathing.

Nor on other for bleeding & sweating.

Was on this acct that thought of a med at once stimul & evacuant.

And with this intent had recourse to elix of Guaiac.

Then observd that since public of Dr D. have on sever occas. employd this remd.

And I think with good effect.

In no inst howevr have I seen it prod of so good effect as in pres.

At time med begun pain to such degree partic on one side that unable either to stand or walk.

And from encrease which pain sufferd on going to bed often deprived of rest.

In this case situat such that for some time after case introd into regist. could not attend us.

Began her with elix of Guaiac to extent of table spoonful for dose.

Which in commn may reckon more than half an ounce.

To this extent cont. med for some weeks

And that might be more certain of affects had recourse to no other.

By that time entirely free from [excrucia] pains at bed time

And in other respects so far recov. that could walk without much inconv.

In this situat reckond it unnecss. to contin med to same extent as before.

And therfore directed it in form of mixtur with mucil & syrup in which for each dose took only half quantity of Guac. which had done formerly.

From this dimin. reason to suspect that some inconven. arose.

For at next report told that pain of back during night somewhat aggrav.

Still however cont to retain power of walking

And as probab. that aggrav. of pain may have been affect of accid cold as of any other circums.

Persisted therefore in use of former [prescr]

And during use of it became so easy that reckond it unnecess. for her to cont attend here.

Was accordingly dismissd after exhib to us, in my opin, no weak proof of affects of Guaiac in this formula against Rheum at least in a partic state.

In this case as had formerly occas to observe employd formul of Dr Dawson.

But should another simil. case pres. mean somewhat to vary prescrip.

And to use in place of Volat. the simple elixir.

As best means of determin. how far [powers] are to be ascribd to Guaiac itself.

For must observe that consider large doses of pres. formul. as liable to some [objection]

From heat of menstruum cannot venture to employ them undiluted.

And from any addit. a precipt. of the Guaiac is necess. conseq.

Is therefore at any rate ineleg. in point of appear.

And if mixt allowed to remain any time adhes so much to sides of phial that propor. of Guaiac intended, not taken.

With simple elix. menst, which rectif spt, would not require dilution.