DEP/DUA/1/36/27 (Transcript version)

Donald Grantson

(1784-1785)

---

Donald Grantson.

Sympt. to which this patient subj but few in numb.

These however with suff. distinct. mark the disease to which is subj

Affect consists entirely of pains in infer. extrem.

And can have no doubt in consid these of the Rheum kind.

This however a disease which as exist in diff states requires very diff. modes of treatm.

In case before us none of those sympt. which charact it, either in states of inflam or irritat.

Is here evid in the aton varying even to the paralyt. state.

And to this indeed, age & infirm of patient, already in 60 year, as well as freq. former attacks of affect partic fav

These partic nothing in fav of pat with respect to prognos.

For although rheum in inflam state, perhaps as much under our power as almost any acute disease yet in this condit far from being readily overcome.

And when does yeild, very apt to suffer recurr. from slight causes.

This therefore may I think expect with pres patient.

But what will realy be the case, shall probab. have but little opport of knowing.

As patient has for some time given up attend to the Disp.

Perhaps the effect as we may conject at least from ease he had obt. at last report, of tempor. remiss of sympt.

And this, whether to be of any long contin or not, am inclind to think, may consider as conseq of pract here directed for him.

Began pract. by direct for him a med to be taken internally & anoth to be used in way of extern applic.

As an intern med had here recour to use of Gauiac.

An artic of Gummi resin nature operat in stom as warm stim.

And while sometimes prod loosness has more freq. the affect, of giving rise to gentle diaphor.

This artic long empl with success in Rheum cases.

And in these has been given under a variety of diff forms.

Partic celebr. under form of Volat Tinct, where diaphor as well as stim power encr. by the menst used the volat alk spirit.

But while this an expens. is also a disag. med.

For few able to bear quantit requis. without very disagr. sense of heat in mouth, fauces, & stom.

Hence very comm employ such as menst.

And from this as well as simple Tinct often best affects.

Am however inclind to think that often no less benef. from exhib it in subst.

And partic under formula here used as comb. viz with Cream of Tart.

In this way has in gener. effect of gently opening belly, & induce gentle diaph or at least prom perspirat.

And whether from these obvious operat or not, have often found it attended with best conseq, as allev pain in Rheum cases.

Here however did not wish to trust to this alone.

But directed also extern applic of the Oleum Terebinth.

Formd by adding to an ounce of Hogs Lard, a dram of Oleum or Spt Terebinth.

Which need hardly obs. is one of most penetr & pungent stim of veg kingdom

From extern applic therefore [illegible] a stim & tonic indic often prod of best effects.

In such rheum cases as pres, have in my own pract, often empl. it with adv.

Here therefore hoped that patient might reap benef from use.

Powder taken internally prod no sensib operat. from which may inferr that at utmost had effect merely of encr. perspirat.

But under this med with the extern frict. found that at succeeding report pains consid allev.

Since that have seen or heard nothing more of him at this place.

Prob. effect of his not at pres at least standing in any farther need of assist.

But whether this the case or not can hardly flatter ourselves, that at his period of life & at this season of year, will long cont. free from his affect.