DEP/DUA/1/19/03 (Transcript version)

Catherine Meris

(1778-1779)

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Of case of next patient Cath [Meris] shall say very little

Sole compl. tumours about face & neck one of which has now landed in state of Suppurat.

Has not however yielded prop purul matter, but thin watery fluid.

Can have little doubt that both swelling & ulcerat here of Scroph kind.

From this therfore although [appear] hitherto but slight cannot give very fav judgem as to conclus.

Since came under care indeed appear have rather dimin as otherwise.

And not improbab. that may be soon so far gone as shall render it unnecss for patient any longer to contin attend.

But still, no security from thence that disease eradicated.

And will be no more than every day happens if shall again return either affect same parts or others, in diff form

Still however in as far as judgem can be fav in any manif case of Scroph may be so in pres.

And while many which prove fatal many others from which after certain age complete recov.

This more freq from progress of life & from constit gaining vigour than from any other circum

From this circum among various modes of cure would naturally be led to imagine that some promise greatr success than Tonics

And accordingly sever meas of this kind employd in some cases with app. advant.

Thus for ex no pract on such greatr depend in general put than on Sea Bathing.

This however, or even cold bath within doors, during winter season, could hardly venture to direct, to one before unaccust. to it.

From these consid then led to [make] case of this patient subj of trial of tonic of diff kind one viz from Min Kingd.

And as such here made choice of Zinc.

But in place of using it in state of calx. directed it in saline state that viz of White Vitriol.

The white vitriol when employd in certain doses from stimul or rather from nauseating powers excites vomiting.

But in infer. [doses] a powerful astring & tonic both to syst in gener. & to part to which more partic applied.

Is then with this intent that have admin it in pres. case.

And to obt as far as can, full [effic] from it, have employd it both extern & internally at same time.

On this course patient has now contin for about two months.

And although appear not altogethr gone yet ulcerat in partic much dimin.

Do not therfore reckon it necess. to have recourse to any other meas.

Or to suggest pract which may be tried if pres. ineffect

For is intent if appear be not [illegible] for worse, to dismiss this patient in short time.

And shall be inclind to consider her as having been benef by course [illegible]

But although may induce to farther trials of white Vitriol am far from expecting that in this or any other med an affect cure ever found for Scrophula.