DEP/DUA/1/14/22 (Transcript version)

James Alison

(1777)

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In case of Jas Alison patient next in order an example of a disease respecting which can I appreh be no room for doubt

Princip sympt. pain of breast & bely accompan with tenes. are such as may arise from diff causes.

When these howevr accompanied with picking at nose gives presumpt. that may origin from worms.

But this presumpt in case before us put beyond all doubt from disch of worms by stool.

When have thus certain evid of exist of these in alim canal, can be no [hest] in pronouncing them cause of all sympt.

And pres. case affords evid how little some of the [boasted] pathognom of worm to be depended on.

Here many of these, partic swelling of lip on which some disposd to put so much confid entirely wanting.

And as in inst of Scrophula may often take place where no worms so appears also that may be absent when these really pres. in alim. canal.

As giving rise to worms in pres. case no partic cause assignd.

May conclude however that as in other cases ova introd into alim canal.

And that general occurrs in conseq. of finding these proper sidus.

Is from this circum of more ready [introd] of ova that partic apt to occur as disease during spring season [undressed] vegetab much taken.

And probab. is that such a cause may have here operatd.

Respecting termin of this case grounds I think for speaking favour.

Although from what have already seen may conclude that have been pres in bowels to consid quantity yet have induced no severe sympt.

And while of no long cont. before came under our care have so far at least yeilded to med used.

Hope thefore that in short time may be brought to favourable termin.

Especially as worms which are cause of pres. sympt the Teretes or as by some calld the Lumbrici of all others the most easily combated.

Here unquest. great obj of cure the expuls. of worms themselves & ova.

While howevr alive & vigor in system exert effort for retaining place.

Hence of great use before means of [expul] to kill or debilit them.

With these intent various remedies in common use.

And might here have employd with this intent, the Couhage, Decoct of Cabbage tree bark, or other artic said to be of highest effic.

But unwilling to venture on use of a remed which had not before tried with so young a patient.

Had here therfore recourse to Calom with view of killing worms or debilit power.

And to Tinct of Jallap combind with simple syrup for expuls.

In these med have unif persisted since patient came under our care.

And in operat. for most part have not been disappointed.

Every diff dose attended with disch of several worms.

And now in no degree affected either with gripes or other sympt.

Am therfore hopeful that few if any worms now remain.

While howevr any appear from purgat shall not think of entirely discont use.

But hope that for effecting radic cure will not be obliged to change this med.

And that patient may soon be dismissed from any farther attendance here.