DEP/DUA/1/39/23 (Transcript version)

David Shank

1786

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N^o29. 21^st Janr 1786

David Shank at 19 a shoemaker

Is always affected when he first attempts to move with spasmodic twitches of the muscles of the whole body begining at the feet & rising very rapidly to the head, affecting even the tongue. This generally goes off in the space of a few seconds

It is sometimes so severe as to excite a profuse sweat over the whole body. Sometimes one side only is affected, when both are seized at once he is very apt to fall down. In general the motion of his lower extremities is very imperfect. He has frequently a prickling sensation over the whole surface of his body which he particularly observes in the palms his hands. And he is affected with a shooting pain under the sternum impeding respiration considerably. He thinks it has some connection with the prickling on the surface. P. natural. Tongue clean. Appetite pretty good. But he ruminates his food. Belly regular some thirst. He has been affected in this mannr at different times for near four years, but he observes that his complaints go off almost entirely in the summer & autum & return regularly in the spring & winter winter & spring

None of his relations are subject to spasmodic disorders. He has had medicines from the Dispensary upon formr occasions from which he thought he derived great benefite

Cap. Pil. e. Cuprv. I. om. m. & vesp.

28. Has taken the pills as directed. But his fits have been rather more frequent & he thinks more severe, though not of longer duration than formerly. Cont. Pil e Cupro sed cap Pil. ii. om. m.

Febr 4^th Has taken the pills regularly, they have no effect in producing sickness at stomach

But his belly is rather loose.

The fits continue nearly as frequent as before, but he has been less affected with the uneasy prickling sensation in his extremities.

Cont. Pil e Cupro. u. a.

11 Has no sickness or other uneasiness from the pills, he is much less affected with the prickling & his fits have been less frequent, particularly for the two days past.

Cont. Pil e Cupro. u. a.

18. Symptoms no better.

Cont Pil e Cupro. u. a

Febr 25. His fits still continue to be nearly as frequent as before.

Cont. Pil e Cupro sed cap. Pil. ii. ter de die.

March 4^th Has no sickness from the encreased dose of the pills.

He is almost entirely free from the uneasy prickling, but his fits are as frequent as before

Cont. Pil sed cap. Pil. iii ter indies

11. Takes the pills without any inconvenience. But his fits have been more frequent & more severe during the course of last week & he is again affected with the prickling in many different parts of his body particularly in his thighs & breast.

Cont. Pil e Cupro. u. a. & Rx. Calc. Zinci grV P. Valer.

Sylv. ℥p. M cap. dos. om. m.

18^th Has continued both the powders & pills without any sickness at stomach or other uneasiness. But his fits are still as frequent & as severe as before.

Though he thinks he is less affected with the prickling.

Aug. dos. Calc Zinci ad gr X [om] m. & Cap. Pil. IV ter indies.