DEP/DUA/1/17/20 (Transcript version)

Agnes Blakie

(1778)

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Agnes Blakie

That the disease to which this patient subj is Rheumat can admit of no doubt

And here affect seems to exists [without] compl. of any other disease.

For only sympt with which now affected pains in some of large joints.

Menses indeed have been absent for space of about 15 years.

But when consider that patient in 63 year of her age this no more than natur state.

And may view Rheum as only disease

Here also seems to have arisen from common cause inducing it viz action of cold.

And probab. at commen was in acute state.

But after having cont for so long a period as has subs. with our patient need hardly add that now in chron state.

And may also observe that from circum of contin ground to conclude that will prove an obstin affect.

And this the rather to be suspected from having already resisted many diff remed.

In such a state of this compl. to be viewd as depend on atonia of parts the conseq of preceding inflam.

And this atonia even with tendency to Paralysis.

Hence then removal cheifly to be [expec] by means encreas tone & augm nerv. [pow]

Is on these princip that in such a state recourse often had with advant to cold bathing & electricity.

Was To latter of these have had recourse with pres patient.

And although cannot entertain any very sanguine hopes yet by prop cont may at least be means of allev. affect.

With view of obt these advant have here ordered it in two ways

By shocks intended to act on brain & nerv system in general.

And by sparks intended more especially to act on nerves & moving [fibres] of affected parts.

In both ways can be no doubt that electricit has often very consid effects.

But is cheifly from latter that can expect much advant in diseases [more] local.

To this therefore cheifly trusted in case before us.

But although am hopeful that from contin patient may derive advant. yet in case so obstin do not think that cure to be trusted to electric alone.

And accord have put patient on anoth med also.

Use viz of a mixt with Spt Salin [Arom]

This need not observe in the Menst by which vol elix of Guaia a remedy lately much celeb. against Rheum is [found].

And cannot help entert doubts whether menst. be not more powerful than the med itself.

Resolved therfore to give trial in pres case

And from effects already derivd from it are flattered at least with prospect of some advant.

But of neither med has such trial yet been made as can enab us to judge with any confid.