DEP/DUA/1/43/55 (Transcript version)

Andrew Mein

(1787-1788)

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N^o29. Andrew Mein at 64.

Of disease to which this pat. subj. have not I own been able to form any decided opin.

And here partic matter of doubt whether all sympt from same origin or whether lab. under compl of aff.

Can be no doubt that some of his sympt of the catarrh. kind.

And prob. may with just attrib to cold to which was exposed, the cough & dyspn. with which has been affected.

This also may be cause of pain of breast.

But that pain describd as [somw] pecul.

And from severity at cartil ensiform as well as affect between shoulders susp. that partakes somewhat of Rhem nature.

This also rend prob. by severity on motion of parts.

But besides these sympt another leading part of affect is headach.

This a common attend of affect both of Rheum & Catarh kind.

But here also singul. giving diffic with respect to nature.

For attacks him we are told as it were period, & contin for limited time

While also attended with remark affect of hearing.

In these partic [somewhat] differ both from headach depending on catar & from that which of Rheum kind.

Headach from catarrh chiefly the effect of severe coughing

And conseq occurs at no stated time.

Rheum headach indeed as well as rheum pains in other parts may be aggrav by heat in bed.

But in this case should not look for contin during whole course of night.

And besides this Rheum headach very rarely attended with affect of any of senses.

In deafness & tinnit aurium have much more sympt of that heada which is concom of fever.

And headach well known to be very freq attend of fever of interm kind.

This then perhaps ground on which to acct both for sympt & likewise for regular of recurren.

At same time not impossib, that is mere conseq of recumb. post.

[For] no doubt, that alter in state of circul in head very great influ.

And although at one time prod of no effect at another will be means sometimes of induc sometimes of remov. headach.

Thus then app. that in sever respects room for doubt with regard to this patient affect.

And before forming any decid opin would wish to see somewhat more resp. it.

For not imposs. that doubts now stated may a good deal dep. on erron repres. of patient.

In many inst where no intent to deceive, compl. in descript given both aggrav & misrepres.

And this partic to be suspected where descript such as pres. singul or uncommon combin.

In this state of uncert. hardly to be expected, that can say any thing of prognos.

From any thing indeed that we can discov. neither to be consid as urgent nor danger.

But where app. anomal, hard to say what morb. affect. may take place.

Although therefore disp. to look for fav conclus, & to consid disease as not even of obst nature, yet should not be surp. at contr.

After uncert expressed hardly to be expected that can prop any rational plan of cure.

And till known more of nature chief obj to attend to progr & to mitig urg. sympt.

At same time using with these intent what but little chance of aggr affect.

Here only remed to which have yet had recourse the compl. powder of Gua

Consists of equal parts of Crem of Tart & Gum Guaiac.

And have often I think directed it with advant in affect of Rheum kind.

Its operat in gener. that of gently opening belly, & at same time prod slight disch under form of diaph

And on this prin imagined that might here be useful, both against catarhal affection & likewise in counteract pains if of Rheum kind.

But farther observ. on pract [reserve] till have seen more of case & till again come to speak of it in order of list.