DEP/DUA/1/12/23 (Transcript version)

William Bailey

(1776-1777)

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Wm Bailey.

Case of this patient consists of very few sympt.

And these of a nature not unfreq. occur

Consist entirely in lesion of vision.

And that too without any evid affectn of eye itself

Can have little doubt then in referring it to an affect of Nerves of eye.

When a lesion of vision from this cause is sometimes total sometimes partial only

These by some nosol. have been form into diff. genera.

And in system of Mr Sauvage forms the two distinct genera of Calego & Amaur.

To defin. of first of these case before us very accurately corresponds.

Appreh however that Dr Cullen has done better in referring both to one genus

For differ merely in degree.

And progress from one to other very frequent.

From what cause this morbid state of optic nerve arises in pres. inst will not pretend to say.

Little doubt however that cause whatever it is has induced a certain degr. of Paral.

Yet disposed rather to presume that not the effect of compress.

And was I own willing to consider it as affect of morbid state of sentient [extrem] of eyes.

Princip as patient never affected with compl. of headach vertigo or any of those sympt which commonly attend it when arising from [comp]

And at same time as from change in position of eye state of morbid affect somewhat altered.

On this idea must own had some hopes that might have been of service to patient.

And if could not perfectly recover vision that yet pres. affect might have been in some degree dimin.

At same time insensib of nerves in [gen] when once acquired very diff. removed.

And those of eye in partic much out of reach.

Hence probab it is that Amaurosis so often consid as an incurab. affection.

And such I own am now disposed to think that case of this patient will be found to be.

Although however has now left us in no better situat than when came undr care, yet would not be willing to [presm] affect totally desper.

Appreh. however that if does recover more chance of it from natural than artif means.

Partic may be cured by occurrence of fever or of Dysenteryiarrhoea.

At least from both one & other [natural] termin have occurrd to paral. affections of still older date.

Would not even altogether despair of artif cure

When began treatment of this case proceeded on suppos of Paralysis.

And as various remed already tried naturally led to think of use of Electricity.

Of the affects of this in Paralytic cases have in diff inst. had occas to speak.

And in affect somewhat analog. to pres have found it serviceable.

Wishd therefore at least to try affects in pres. instance.

And that too both way of sparks drawn from neighb. of affected parts & of [schocks].

As patient however lived at a distance in country wishd to use as little time as possib.

And on this acct with Electricity conj. the use of Camphor.

On these he continued for space of some weeks.

During which time grad encreased dose of the one & strength of the other.

At one period some slight appearances of releif

But soon after matters again returned to form situat.

And as [now] very little prospect of benef patient was unwilling that should cont a mode of cure costing him so much trouble

For every time that electrif obliged to walk in many miles from country.

Proposed therfore that should make trial of a Mercur. course

At such a distance however could not propose that should be made under our direction

For in precar. weather would necess. have been subj to greatest danger from cold.

Advised him therefore on this acct to put himself under care of surgeon of village in which he resides.

But whether trial will ever be made or not reckon very doubtful.