DEP/DUA/1/36/31 (Transcript version)

William Paterson

1785

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Wm Paterson. Janr 15^th 1785

Disease of this patient [when] cam under our care consist entirely of local affect in part of hairy scalp.

And from app. as well as progr. there could be no doubt in consid it as an inst. of Tinea Capit.

An affect which in this country not uncomm freq. obstin.

Here indeed effect but to small slight degree only.

For neither by any means consid, in extent or thickness.

And besides this had been but of short durat.

When consider therfore that most inveterate cases, in most inst at least admit of cure, had here more reason to hope for such event.

And such an event have now at least reason to believe has here taken place.

For patient has given up attend, from his mother, as he informed us, being of opin, that no farther necess.

And this tempor relief, if not compl. cure, have reason to think, was conseq of remed here empl.

Respect the pathol. of this affect, but few disputes.

Almost univ allowed, that prin morbid affect, in this disease complaint, consists in diseased state in bulbs of hair.

That the incrust formd is entirly in conseq. of a matter exud, from state of secret being vitiated.

And that finally from this cause, hair themselves in no long time are destroyd.

On this idea then, cure may be expected, on one of two prin.

Either by restor of diseased bulbs to sound state, or by remov.

Latter unquest most exped, perhaps may also add, most cert. mode of cure.

For unquest will succeed in many cases, where every effort to restor fails.

But where restorat can be affectd, is unquest. prefer.

For can be no doubt, that is both less danger, & less painful mode of cure.

Hence therefore, in every inst, is at least first to be attempted.

And with this view, pract here empl. were directed.

Began you will obs., by ordering cataplasm of bread & milk, to part affected.

[From] this had no view to action on bulbs of hair.

But merely for removal of that inorgan matter which had now formd incrust. above these.

For till remov. no immed action could take place on seat of the dis.

And is I appreh. by topical action chiefly at least that restorat. to be expected.

With this intent, a variety of corros & stimul. articles are in use.

Partic Aerug. [Aeris] – Corros [subt] & even Arsenic.

Latter, in my own pract indeed, have never used in this disease.

But two former have often empl. with success, & that also in very obstin cases.

Here however had recourse to a diff applic.

Use viz of Ungt Citrin.

In this, need hardly obs, that Merc brought to Saline state, by means of Nitr. acid.

And although not the most stim yet unquest a very active form.

In so much, that before can be freely applied, requires farther diffus.

But this still more necess on anoth acct, viz pecul. hardness.

Hence then, with both intent, here directed to be beat up with Hogs Lard.

And in prop. of ℥i of Ungt Citrin to Axung Porc. ℥i makes ointm both of consid activ, & suffic soft for ready applic.

This therefore what here directed.

And after contin for short time the incrust. being prev removed by the poultice, affect. seemd to be entirely overcome

And not improb. that by this means cure has been accompl.

Here however to be obs. that Tinea one of these affect, in many inst liab to recurr.

Hence then should not here be surpr. at return of affect.

On this acct. wishd, that should have been contin for some time longer.

But with this patient has not compl.

And now doubtful whether shall learn any thing farther with respct to him.