DEP/DUA/1/20/12/b (Transcript version)

Nelly Davidson

(1779)

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Next case in order Nelly Davidson wile in some respects simil to formr is however much more [import] & alarm

To her disease may even with more strict prop, than in formr case, give name of vertigo.

And with her affect exists to much higher degree than in former case.

In so much that neither able to stand nor walk without assist.

Here however also not entirely [withou] complic.

For besides the double vision with which affected, & which consid as solely proceeding, from inordin action of [muscles] intended for motion of eye, has also sever sympt evid of paralyt. kind.

As such may mention gener debilit

Which still are told This we are told has proceeded even to such height that unab. to feed [hers.]

But still more partic weakness of one side

And this are told indeed had has been case, ever since attack of [illegible] to which subj not many months before.

From all these partic then [joind] to affect of memor. in pres. inst may [cont] that vertigo effect of action on optic nerves at origin.

And when consid that affect but of short durat. & that formr attack of paralysis was soon, if not entirely at least in great meas. removed, gives presumpt at least, that pres. sympt now effect of serous compress.

On this idea not same reason to dread contin as in last case.

And while greater reason to fear sudden fatal termin have also more ground to hope for speedy recov.

Which of these however shall be termin in pres. inst cannot with any great degree of confid pretend to say

Yet at same time degree to which patient has already recov gives some ground for hope

Although howevr should now dismiss her free from affect yet great reason to dread that this will not long be case

But probab. that at length will even fall victim to it.

Must now howevr be our businss to aim at remov. of pres. affect.

And for this purpose according to conject as to nature of affect. must here be obj to drain off seros. from cranium.

Was with this view that first prescript for patient was applic of blister to back part of head.

From which wishd that free disch. should afterwards be supported by means of epispas. ointment.

Blister from inattent on part of husband of our patient not applied so soon as could have wishd.

But since applic disch from it has been [every] to consid.

And to this I own am in great meas inclind to attrib relief which patient has now had.

This indeed not only med which have employd.

Nearly with same intent as blister have directed for patient use of purgat pills.

From these hoped that if from evac did not prom absorpt would at least give determ from head.

And that thus operat of blister might be aided.

Here employd Pilul. Coccia as formerly calld.

These from Scam & Colocynth which enters compos. much more powerful than simple aloet pills.

And hoped that even five gr. taken every second night would have effect of keeping belly open.

As however did not operate so much as expected have since that [ordrd] same dose every night

And not improbab. that either may still farther encrease quantity or have recourse to other purgat.

Except. change in this respect however shall wish to contin pres course.

And if tendency to recov. goes on as has already done, without [having] recourse to any other meas patient may soon be in condit to be dismissd.

If howevr this does not happen from idea which at pres. have of this case should here be disp to give trial to Mercury.

And if realy prod of effects lately attrib to it of prom absorpt from brain, promises I think in pres inst to have good effect. conseq.

To this therfore if matters contin without change, or even in case of aggrav. may have recourse

Reckon it however more probab that disease of our patient soon subj to changes.

And in that case may lead to meas which cannot at pres. have in view.

Reckon Is therefore at pres unnecss to suggest any farther pract to be empl. should pres. course prove unsuccessful.