DEP/DUA/1/24/08 (Transcript version)

Dugald McFie

(1780-1781)

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Dugald McFie.

With regard to name to be [afford] to this disease there is I think no room for doubt.

In sympt to which he is subj have, I think in my opin, all charact of Epilep

Is subj to freq returns of fits consist princip of in viol convuls.

And although these most severe in legs & arms yet extended over whole body.

These convuls. with total abolit of sense.

A circum which consid. as afford most certain diagn between this disease, & those most nearly [resemb] it, Convuls & Hyster.

Fits attended also with foaming at mouth & disch of saliva, circum commonly consid as marking this disease

And although not pres. in every inst yet when occurring strong charact of this affect.

Judgem formd from sympt corrob also by contin & progr of diseases.

For has already subsisted for space of twelve years.

And during that period fits have become consid more freq than at first.

With this idea of disease & with progr which has already had, prog cannot be very fav.

By many every inst of prop epilep unless when proceeds from transit cause as small pox, teething or like consid as incurab.

And although can be no means entirely subs. to this opin, yet must admit that many inst are incurable.

Hold however that prognos to be formd not from mere name of affect.

Where can discov. cause may with some degree of probab. conj. whether remov. or not.

But in many inst. this ground from judgem unattain.

And that I appreh is the case in pres inst.

Here therefore can conject only from other partic.

And must observe that contin for twelve years with encr. severity much against patient.

Cannot therefore be much disapp if attempts to cure unsuccess.

But at same time from all that can learn from hist of case no trial yet made of some of those pract. which mod pract have found most success.

Will at least therefore be proper to give patient that chance which these afford.

And in this not altog. without prospect of success.

Here however must own that with regard to rational princip on which cure to be cond often very great diffic.

And in these each directed by his own hypoth respect. the affect

Independ however of partic theory two gener heads of cure, which ought to be held in view by all practic.

1 Removal viz where it can be effected of cause immed induc. fits.

2. Removal of that state of [sys] without which this cause although remain & contin to act could have no effect.

Where former can be accompl. is most cert. means of afford radic cure

But often impossib

And always requires knowl. of cause

Hence then perhaps in greater num of cases benef obt. on first second princip.

Removal viz of condit of syst. without which cause incap of prod disease.

Is on this princip that would acct for operat of Cup. Ammon in cases of Epilep.

And was with this intent that had here recourse to it.

Have long been disp. to entert fav opin of this remedy in Epilep cases.

Sentim with resp to it will find stated at some length in vol. of medic cases pub. some time ago

And since that have received accts from diff pract of their having empl. with best effects

+ And consid it as no obj. to this med that incap of curing cases in natur incur.

Have myself also often used it.

And although far from asserting that in every inst. with success, yet yet can venture to say that where has faild, after prop trial, have not found any other pract. success.

>+

If therefore does not succeed shall have but little expect from other meas.

Began with small dose intended grad to encrease as found pat. able to bear it.

And at last report some prosp of advant.

For had obtaind remiss for near two weeks.

But now appreh. that have encreased quantity of Cupr . farther than consist with prop cond of cure.

For since report of second inst patient has had severe vomiting from pills

This therefore may lead to more grad use

Still however espec. if any prosp. of success shall be disp. to persist in employm.

And before deserting use may give it in conj with Zinc

If both ineffect may recomm to patient [prud] trial of cold bathin

Partic in way of shower bath

But in this, as well as other meas, must be determ by circ in which shall find patient at the time