DEP/DUA/1/44/41 (Transcript version)

Janet Calder

(1788)

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N^o11 Janet Calder. at 35.

When formerly spoke of case of this pat pron it an ex of Amaurosis or Gutta Ser

And since that have had no reason to alter opin of nature of affect.

During time indeed for which has been under our care affected also with other sympt.

But these to all app. totally unconn with pres.

Were prob. effects of cold & in short time ceased.

But with app. or remov of these no change has taken place on affect of vision.

This indeed does not, as is comm in amaurosis, consist in totall loss of sight.

But dimin at [least] so consid. as to be highly distress.

Occurs however without any obvious appear of disease in eye.

At least unless are to consider as such the remark dilat of pupil.

And that too with want of contract on expos to usual stim light.

These however well known to be almost const. sympt. of Amauros.

And indeed necess conseq of want of sensib in eye.

For dilat of pupil, well known to be entirely effect of want of contract of Uvea.

And contract of its muscul. fibres, more effect, of stimul. applied to [sensib] retina, than to muscul fibres of Iris themselves.

Need hardly remark, that this conn in system, estab. for most useful purp.

Indeed great purp of Uvea seems to be to moder impr of light upon eye.

And to regulate quantit of rays adm

This however effected not by a volunt effort but by estab. connex. between impress on sensib nerves, & contract of uvea.

Hence dilated pupil & want of contr. from expos to light, as strong evid of disease, as her own acct to us, of dimin of vision.

And return of contract would afford strong evid of dimin of affect.

Besides these sympt. the charact of amaurosis, some others also ment in case of our patient

Partic severe pains in head.

These indeed not constant sympt, but at same time, very comm attend of amauros.

And very gener. depend on same cause

Here then may concl. that are connected with it.

This however prob. not case with some other sympt.

Partic depress of spirits, gener. debilit & loss of app.

That these however, should be conseq of loss of sight, not surpriz.

For with those formerly accust. to it, & who can do little without it, must be a very distress calam.

Hence then may consid as sole affect here, the want of due sensib in optic nerve.

And although as occurring in this organ, & as affect partic sense, has a partic name, yet in reality to be consid merely as partial paralysis.

And here conseq. of cause by which such affect. not unfreq obs. to be induced.

Action viz of cold, partic as partially applied.

And here applied in manner to give greatest affect.

By plunging head viz into cold water when much heated.

From this cause may I think entert hopes as to prognos.

Or at least not so much to be despair. of as where reason to susp. that amaur. the effect of compress.

But at same time every inst of paralysis obstin.

Amauros [partic] [so].

And after attempts already made to cure without effect, expect by no means sanguine.

Here began treatm you will observe by use of electric.

This hold to be one of most powerful & penet stim with which acqu.

And as such often success. empl. in various inst of paralysis.

Among other modif of that disease have myself directed it, with very markd success in one inst at least of amaurosis.

A circum which although no doubt that will freq. fail at least encourag to future trials

After however this pract prescr. patient for a consid time irregul in attend.

Hence no fair opport for trial.

From about the 8^th of Decr. however for about space of three weeks attend with tolerab. regul.

But during that time cannot say that any change for better was prod.

This however consid as no suff. trial leading to despair.

But was affraid, that unless some other meas empl. patient would not contin

This then led me to conj with use of electric. the employm of pills Camph.

This also a med from which in some inst of paralysis have I think seen benef.

Since these begun howevr have been almost empl. alone.

For in conseq of inclem of weather & othr circum. has hardly been once electrif.

But with Camphor as hitherto [emp.] have not been more success than with the electricit.

Is however my intent if can get it accompl. to give both one & othr a fair trial.

And if these ultim unsuccess. may have recourse when weather somewhat milder & more steady to use of Mercury.

But at same time very doubtful have far shall have opport of giving fair trial even to pres. pract