DEP/DUA/1/24/03 (Transcript version)

Catherine Gordon

(1780-1781)

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Cath Gordon

From descript of case as introd into register was inclind to think that exhib a singul affect.

Especially when consider early period of life viz 9^th year.

Compl of patient consist prin of severe cough.

In appear however somewhat [singu]

Hardly perhaps to be consid as singul. partic that returns in severe fits at short uncert. interv.

But to be observd that is not a common catarrh affect or depend on irritat of mucus.

For here no expect of the mucus giving irritat.

But besides this cough attended also with other uncommon app.

During fits of coughing pain beg. in left hypochond region is from thence propag to oesoph & fauces.

In its course according to descrip of patient is affected with sensat of ball moving in these parts.

And from this are told there is prod great diffic of breathing

In the sympt now mentiond will be at no loss to discov. what in gener consid as charact mark of hysteria.

That these therefore here connectd little room to doubt.

And this by no means a rare occurr.

If therefore to give disease a name accord to pres nosol. syst. should consid it as case of Tussis Hyster. of Mr Sauv.

But perhaps with still greater prop. cough to be consid rather as hyster. symp than any thing else.

And accord find in writings of best pract authors this repres among other forms, which disease puts on.

Partic mentiond by the accur. Syden in treatise de Hyster. passione.

Is however to be observd that there dscribd as occurring only, at age when hyster. prev.

To such a suppos therefore may be thought that some obj, from patient being only in 9^th year.

But on other hand to be observd, that distress. nerv or hyster. coughs describd as taking place even [this] early.

Thus in Dr Whytt very valuab dissertat on Nerv. Hyster. & Hypoch diseases, a case of this kind very accur describd which occurrd with girl in 8^th year of age.

This then opin as to nature of patients disease

And was in hopes that while exhib example of this affect by no means freq occurr, in such circum, might also be able to shew example of [cure].

But with regard to prognos as well as pract in this case remark are now superseded.

For as will observe by the regist. in conseq of accid cut in head which afterwards met with carried to infirm.

May only then remark that directed trial of Zinc, from persuas that is a powerful med as allaying dispos to inordin action.

And accord in some inst of very viol nerv coughs has been attended with most benef. effects.

But from circum already mentiond intended trial prevented.