DEP/DUA/1/42/09 (Transcript version)

Archibald McPhail

(1787-1788)

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N^o9 Archd McPhail at 50.

Of disease of this patient, am not altog. without doubts

His sympt merely those which freq. occur in catarrh.

And not improb. that this only disease to which is subj.

To this suppos. long contin of affect may be consid as giving count.

Yet on other hand not attend with that degree of expect which common when Dysp. from catarrh.

And all sympt such as often occurr in Hydrothor.

Partic the case with const dysp & pain at stern.

With his being able to sleep only on one side

And above all with being sudden awaked from sleep by Dyspn. during the night.

But while these pres. must be allowed that other marks of Hydrot absent.

Partic no drop swellings elsewhere no scar of urine.

To this however to be answ. that these by no means const sympt of Hyd.

This is a disease very diffic to be discovered.

That often pres. when less ground for susp. it than on pres. occas.

Hence though no certaint. yet presumpt of the disease.

Besides suppos ment. indeed other & these of very diff nature might be entert.

Such for ex as suppos of local affect. of heart aneur or like

But without entering farther into that subj shall only obs. that consider one or othr of two suppos already ment as most prob.

In this state uncert. however must be doubtful as to Progn.

If realy hydroth chance rather against patient.

If on contrary catarrh in his favour.

But on either suppos. at this season of year speedy cure not to be expected.

On either however may I think look for some allev.

And at least somewhat fortun that in both this allev may in som degree be lookd for from same [rem].

Partic from encr. disch by urine.

For though this does not seem to have immed tend to cure catarh yet in such cases often prod of great advant.

And indeed, know no remed upon whole more benef in catarh than diur.

But here treatm more partic [direc] to suppos of Hydroth.

And is on suppos of this disease that while have empl. comp powder of Cream Tart to keep belly open have directed Pills with Digit.

Of these is intent to make trial with pres. patient.

And if not otherwise useful may at least see how far oper. as diur.

In admin of these & in other pract to which may have recourse will be entirely regulat by occur & by situat in which shall find pat.