DEP/DUA/1/42/01 (Transcript version)

Isabel Henderson

(1787-1788)

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N^o1 Isabel Henderson at 25.

In case of Isab. Henderson, first patient in list, a distinct marked case of Epilep.

Not indeed without pecul.

And partic with respect to mode of attack.

But disease suff. charact both by app of fits & by total abolit of sense.

A circum perhaps more than any other disting Epilep, from Hyster. where app in other resp. most simil.

In some respects this case a favour one.

For neithr of long contin nor has it resisted use of any powerful remed.

But even in slightest case of this disease chance of recov. not great.

For very consid major of inst. will not I am affraid be found to yield to any remedy.

At least to any with which I am yet acquainted.

Yet by no means to be consid as never admit of cure.

Have known not a few inst when even from progr of life a spon. recov.

Others [wher] at least strong reasn to presume that yielded to remed empl.

And in partic have met with inst where cures effected both by Calx of Zinc, & by remed here empl. Cupr. Ammon.

Consid both therefore as in every inst deserv. trial.

And in some inst where fail at one time will succeed at another

Hence encourag to trial at diff periods.

Of two remed am inclind to consid Cupr. as most powerful.

That is am acquainted with greater number of cases which have yeilded to it.

Very lately a Have at pres anoth Disp. patient under my care to whom has been of great serv.

Obt. under use a long interm from disease, though fits before very freq.

In this case indeed has not prod compl. cure.

For not ten days ago after med interm for some months had return of fit.

But this fit not attend with many app. with which formerly use to be affected.

Partic freq. threatning of fits & alm const conv agitat of muscles of face.

Hence greater reason to hope that from recurr to use cure may be comp.

Encour by this & simil cases in inst before us have had recours to Pil. e Cupro.

And is intent to give it full & fair trial.

Augm. dose however with such caution, as not to be disapp. in [effec] by its excit vomiting.

A conseq. not unfreq. arising from employm. partic when large morning dose.

If this fails may have recourse to trial of Zinc either under form of Calx or of white Vitriol.

Or may comb. Cupr. with Calx of Zinc.

But of these & othr pract. shall afterw speak more fully when consider case at greater length.