DEP/DUA/1/38/38 (Transcript version)

David Bickerton

1785

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N^o1. Novr 1^st. 1785

David Bickerton at 19, by trade a weaver, of a slender make and complexion somewhat florid, though rather swarthy, with black hair & eyes, is at present affected with frequent cough, which is attended with the expectoration of a considerable quantity, of viscid yellow coloured matter which however has no bad taste or smell. This discharge is in general, not effected without considerable difficulty, & after long continued coughing. He is also much distressd with difficulty of breathing which is in some degree constant, & is particularly severe after any exertion. His strength is much diminishd so that he is unable to continue his usual employment. He can lie without any augmentation of the dyspnoea on either side, but he is most affected with the cough when lying on his right side. He is not remarkably affected with cold or hot fits, & seldom sweats unless from the severity of the cough.

Pulse 120 small & soft. Heat natural, Appetite bad, & he is at times affected with thirst, but his tongue is clean & moist & particularly red towards the point. The tunica conjunctiva of his eye is of a pale blue colour & few red vessels are observable in it. He sleeps ill in the night from the frequency of the cough

Belly regular Urine natural.

These complaints began about ten weeks ago. At that time he was attackd one night immediately after going to bed with copious bloody expectoration to the extent as he conjectures of more than a pound. He continued to spit blood for four days; but since that time he has not observed any excepting a small quantity about ten days ago. But ever since the attack of the Haemoptoe he has been affected with cough & dyspnoea which have gradually encreased in severity.

He knows no particular cause to which his complaints can be ascribd. He is by trade a weaver but had not been subjected to any uncommon exertion at the time when his affection began.

Before its commencement, he enjoyd very good health; &, as far as he knows, none of his relations were ever affected with Haemoptysis Scrophula or Consumption.

When the haemoptoe began, he was blooded, & took some medicines, which operated as laxatives; from which he thinks he derived benefite. But of late he has used nothing excepting an infusion of hysop, from which his cough, has been in no degree alleviated.

Rx. Pulv. G. Myrrh

Crem. Tart. aa ℥ p.

M cap coch parv. ter de die.

Novr 5 Has taken the powders regularly which sit easily on his stomach & have no obvious operation

Cough & Dyspnoea much as before

Expectoration rather less considerable & without any mixture of blood

Pulse 128. Belly regular.

Cont. Pulv. G. Myrrh. u. a.