DEP/DUA/1/21/35 (Transcript version)

James Scott

(1779-1780)

---

James Scott

Disease probab of complic nature

When came under our care had been for consid time subj to a disease very distress to inf in partic.

And which of late has prevaild much more as epidem than have ever seen since began pract in Ednr.

That is Pertussis.

Is compar. speaking at least but short time since was last epidem in Ednr

In autmn 1775 & In Spring & Summer 1776, was also epidem in Ednr.

Then indeed numb. affected by no mean so great as at pres.

But as far at least as my exper went in proport to number much more fatal.

At that time succeeded Scarlatina anginosa which had [prevaild] very gener among child the year before viz 1774-5.

Many of those childr. who had [near] escaped from that disease were attacked with Pertussis & fell vict to it.

Whether in these cases the preceding affect had any influ may perhaps be a quest.

Yet whatever cause have for my own part no doubt, that epidem which then prev. much more severe than pres.

Was partic severe in way of inflam affect of breast.

And child cut off by it for most part died from pneum inflam.

In some of them this termin in state of suppurat with very cop purul expectorat.

In pres epidem again, have for my own part seen very few cases where any evid of inflam.

And except in one or two inst have never thought it necess. to have recour to bleeding or blisters

Almost only sympt requir mitig some degree of dyspn. from accum mucus in breast.

And this most readily relievd from promot expect by means of emet.

In 1776 however as have already observd most active meas for comb inflam often necess & often ineffect.

Perhaps this diff with greater prob to be ascribd to season of year than to any other partic.

And to be observd that then the affect most preval. & most fatal during spring months, partic Febr. March. Apr.

In pres. epid greatest part attacked with it were affected with the disease in autumn months when tendency to inflam much less consid.

But whatever cause can have no doubt that epid then though less prev. more severe than on prev occas.

Was with view to this affect. that directed Cicuta.

And here in place of mixt. directed in form of powder.

And therefore for week at least resolv to do nothing

And with this patient the Chin cough which had subsisted for some time was manif on decline.

Had it not therfore been for other sympt would not probab. have applied to us.

>+

But besides remaining pertussis some appear still more alarm.

With sympt manif of febrile kind was affected with pain of head & freq. startings in sleep.

These appear it is true may have proceeded from diff causes.

But not unfreq. attend of an affect of most danger nature Hydroceph.

Was from suspic that this might be case that selected this child as patient for Col. Casuale.

Yet reckond it more probab that all his sympt the conseq of teething

>+

But as have had no opportunity of learning progr of affect. do not know how far any found for either