DEP/DUA/1/23/14 (Transcript version)

David Barry

(1780)

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David Barry.

From hist. given of case of this patient, cannot help consid it as exhib uncommon appear.

And with regard to nature must own am very doubtful.

Can have no diffic however in consid fits to which has of late been subj. as of nervous kind.

But to what species under order of [Neuros.] can with prop be referrd a matter of much greater diffc

Know no affect describd by nosolog to definit of which has any ex. resemb.

From sudden pain in temple with sense of contract should look upon it as in some meas an inord musc. action

Yet cannot with prop referr it to genus of Convuls, Chorea or like

For here also manif affect at least of some of senses.

During contin of fit almost total loss of vision

And if not abolit of internal senses patient said at least to be affected with sleepiness.

This however occurring in a manner so unusual may consid as at least an approach to that sopor which the attend of epilep.

If however in these partic diff from convuls. has at pres at leas as little resemb to Epilep.

For by no means attended with those gener conclus agitat. which so strongly mark that disease.

And affect of arm here taking place rather sense of prickling or numbness than any thing else.

If has not exact corresp to [these] genera however still less to any other.

And farther to be observd that both these affect but epilep in partic often begin with very diff appear from what afterwards assume.

Reason therefore to conject that this may be case in pres inst.

And the rather to be susp of Epil as a brother of pat. has for many years been subj to that disease.

This affect however whether with reason or not in gener. consid as a hered or family compl.

This then at least pres [illegible] with regard to disease.

At same time when took this patient under care imag. that sympt might occurr giving more [clear] diagn of affect.

Still however at least in same state of uncert.

And in this doubtful condit cannot with any confid speak of progn.

For some time indeed after began treatm of case from long interv. [where] [flatterd] with prospect of recov.

But late return has shewn that hopes in this respect premature.

And shall not at all surprize me if turns out if not a danger yet a very obstin affect

May encr. in viol notwith every meas which can be taken to contr.

At same time from what have already seen should be inclind [rathr] to hope more fav.

And have at least equal reason to entert expect. that if not cured may at least be prev from encr. under care

With this view howev am I own very much at loss what gener plan of cure to be prosec.

And till more certain of nature of affect meas empl. must be [rather] on empyr. footing than on any rat princip.

Here whatever pecul nature of affect. yet strong indicat of morbid condit of nerv power.

And this opin founded not on [reas] but exper.

By no means surpriz that in inst of epilep. although given to great extent should have been unsuccess.

Same obs. to be case with med well known to possess most act powr

And if valer without any consid obv operat cannot be alledged that without sensib qualit.

For both smell & taste pecul. & strong.

That therefore may furnish pecul impress to nerves by no means surp.

And accord cannot help thinking that in some inst of nerv & spas kind in which have empl it, have found it attended with best effect.

From this therefore determ at least to give fair trial in pres inst.

And from relief which patient has appar [obs] encour to contin.

Unless therefore some occur pres shall go on at least for some time

And prob even [illegible] of affect will induce me to no other meas than augm of dose.

If howver shall appear under form of distinct markd epilep may have recourse to Zinc Cup. Ammon or like

If lands in any other affect meas meas must then be accom to nature of disease.

Yet some prosp. that no other mode of cure will be necess than that already begun.

Occurs therefore as obj to use such meas as will have tenden to counteract inord action thence aris.

With this intent it was that thought of trial of Antisp powers of Valer

An artic with regard to medic charact of which pract of late very much divided.

At one time held in very high estem

But of late has been repres as poss very little effic.

And in epilep in partic for which was once celeb. said to have been exhib in very large doses without small benef.

To this circum farther to be added that is one of those artic which has no very consid obv. operat.

Notwith these partic however am for my own part inclind to think very fav of it.