DEP/DUA/1/43/48 (Transcript version)

Mary Wallace

(1787-1788)

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Mary Wallace at 17. N^o35

Of case disease of this patient formerly offered conject at some length.

And upon whole disp. to consid it as most prob. that was Case of Ammenorrh.

And of that species disting by [title] of Ammen. Eman.

Since came under care nothing has occurred either to confirm or inval that conj.

And still remain in same state of doubt as before.

If however conj well founded cure must prin at least be affected by operat of nature.

And what cheifly to be done is with view of obv. such urgent [symp] as may occur.

Hence Here however little done, even with this view.

And pract cheifly directed to promot natural tend. to menst.

Was with this intent, that first prescr. for her, the Aloet. Pill.

This artic need hardly obs. operat as purgat cheifly from affect. rectum.

And stimul. thus prod. propag to neighb vessels.

Hence tends to augm circul. through uterus.

And accord to give rise to that acc. of blood, which a necess condit to menst disch.

Here more used with this intent, than that of moving belly.

At same time imag. that by free disch. [dysp]. sympt at least, might be somewhat allev.

In way of purgat had rather more effect than could have wishd.

For although taken to extent only of gr V in gener. prod two or three loose stools.

But notwith this disch, no dimin of swellings.

While at same time other sympt contin as before.

[Irreg]. however, that in short time influ as purgat might cease.

And that by persist in use, effects expected might yet be obt.

While however directed contin of pills, ordered also anoth med.

The root viz of Rub. Tinct. united with Crem of Tart.

First of these artic, need hardly obs, possess very wonderful power of penet. whole syst.

In so much, that [colouring] matter, well known to give complete tinge even to firmest & hardest of bones. Has been supps that among other parts, influ comm to uterus.

And that from stimul that [org], operates as an emmen.

In my own pract. cannot say that have met with any decidd proof of effic.

But am convin, that may be tried with most perfect safety.

And from obs. of others, even consid it as deserv. trial.

Addit of Crem of Tart. prin to give form & divis of parts.

But hoped also, that might have some influ, in tending to remove swelling of legs, from operat as gentle diuret.

From these powders, had at least no inconv.

But pills, operat so severely, that obliged to interm use.

And upon this disch by belly returned to natur. state.

Still however all sympt contin nearly as before

And while cont. powder unwilling to use lose chance of success which pills afforded.

Hence directed repet. one however being taken every second night only.

And at end of week somewhat easier. Soon after however swelling not only encreased but more painful.

In this situat had recours to frict with Camph oil.

And seemd at least to be attended with desird effect.

For soon after both pain & swellg of legs very much dimin.

In so much, that in no long time, directed oil to be intermitted.

And other sympt at least not very urgent.

In this situat, have thought it sufficient to persist, in plan begun.

And not without hopes that may in some degree aid operat of nature.

For by this alone, that prop evolut of uterus, & due disch to be obt.

To nature then, cure here to be prin trusted.

But besides med directd, can be no doubt that her operat also, aided by gentle [excer.] in open air, & by generous diet.

For where no [small] [conformat] of [parts], by these, more than by all other med put togeth, [amem] Eman overcome.