DEP/DUA/1/34/40 (Transcript version)

Christian Stuart

(1783-1784)

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Christian Stuart. April. 24.

In this case prin sympt indic affect of alim canal.

And even reason to presume that to this cause all to be attrib.

For none of them which affect of alim canal may not prod.

Often inst. of affect here, occas cough in diff. forms.

And partic apt to induce it with uncomm. app, such as took place in pres. inst.

Often gives rise also to changes in app of count, & to affect of [Spirits]

While at same time here farther indic by swelling of belly.

But what in this case chiefly led to susp affect of alim canal was what formerly happen to pat

For when formerly subj to [same] compl, all these had disapp on disch of worms.

And is I think an undoubted fash that from irritat given to intest canal by worms, a great diversity of sympt may arise.

To this cause then, was I own inclind to conject, that all symp were here to be attrib.

Is indeed true that by some [names] of emmin has been denied that worms, partic or at least lumbrici in intest, ever cause of disease.

In support of this doctr. contend, that all sympt. said to arise from worms, often proceed from other cause where no worms in intest.

And on other hand that worms freq pres where no sympt prod.

But from same mode of reason might with equal just be contended that calcul. nevr cause of any sympt.

For certain that often pres in bladder where prod of no inconv.

And as cert. that often sympt giving strong susp. of calcul. where does not exist.

Yet any one who would deny that is capab. of prod most excrut. pain would contrad unden. facts.

And his reasoning incontest. refuted by complete relief of sympt obt from remov. it.

Circum of analog. nature afford evid of powr of worms as a cause of disease.

For sympt of most distress nature compl. removed by evac of these from intest.

What had formerly happened in this way then, led me to susp. [worms] in pres. case.

And accord pract begun on that idea.

Now however must acknowl. that susp of worms not a little dimin.

For from use of Sem Santon, succeeded by cathart, had reason to expect that if any existed in alim canal, would have been disch.

And unden. that same sympts which proceed from worms, may arise from irritat, prod by any other cause.

Although these med howevr not attended with desired effect, had yet appar. influ on her disease.

For after use swelling of belly dimin, with relief also from cough & other sympt.

Hence then reason to believe that although purgat had not expelld worms, might yet have removed cause of disease from intest canal.

And in this situat thought nothing more advis than gently to strengthen tone by bitter infus.

Which, if notwith failure of Sem Santon, there should be any worms in intest, had good chance of remov. them.

For this purpose employd Infus. Amar. with prop. of Tinct Arom.

And hopeful that undr use, patient may soon be dismissd free from compl.