DEP/DUA/1/45/41 (Transcript version)

Alexander Dingwall

1789

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N^o29. Febr 3^d. 1789

Alexr Dingwall at 14, has the whole of his body covered with a number of spots of different sizes, which are of a purple colour & do not rise above the skin. His stools & urine are often tinged with blood. And he also frequently observes blood mixed with his expectoration. Pulse 72. Belly loose, Appetite pretty good. These complaints are of two years standing. But the petechiae sometimes for a few days, almost entirely disappear, & again reappear without any obvious cause. Sometimes however their recurrence is preceded by headach, thirst, & heat of skin. Upon scratching any part of his skin there takes place a large discharge of blood, which cannot be stopt without great difficulty. Sometimes also spontaneous haemorrhages occurr to a considerable extent. About two months ago he had a discharge of several pounds of blood from the nose. Since that time he says his complaints have not been so severe, till lately.

He has used Peruvian Bark & a variety of other medicines but without any permanent relief.

Rx. Spt. Vitriol ten ℥ ii

Tinct. Aromat.

Ag. Font. aa ℥iii M

cap ℥p ter de die.

Febr 7.

Had a slight haemorrhage from the nose, & some bloody expectoration on Thursday last. The petechial eruption is at present very copious particularly on his breast.

Interm. Mist. &

Rx. Pulv. G. Kino.

- [Alum] aa Ji. M

cap. dos. ter de die.

Febr 14.

Had some sickness & vomiting from the first doses of his powder, but since that he has taken them without inconvenience. No haemorrhage has been observd since the last report; & the petechial eruption on his breast is somewhat diminishd.

Some small spots resembling petechiae are visible in the inside of his under lip, but his gums are not in any degree either swelled or spongy

Urine at present natural, Belly regular appetite good, Pulse 80

Cont. Pulv. e. G. Kino cum Alum u. a

Febr 21

Has sometimes had slight sickness from the powders. The petechial eruption continues nearly as before & several large vibices, have appeared on different parts of his body since the last report; but he has had no return of haemorrhage

Pulse. Belly, & Expectoration natural

Cont. Med. u. a.

March 7^th

Symptoms continue much easier & he has had no return of Haemorhage.

Cont. Med. u a.

21

The number of Petechiae is at present much diminishd, but on Thursday last he had a considerable Haemorhage from the gums

Cont. Med. u a.

+ Since indeed last spoke of case of this pat. Dr Cullen in Mat. Med, has fav us with some obs. on this subj.

Must however acknowl. that can by no means agree with him.

Consid [hum] fluids as liab to two state of [putres]. Acute & Chron.

First ex in Fever, second in Scorb.

Admits however that all marks of first partic Petech erup. sometime without Fever.

And to use own words dare not determine whethr this may be consid as pecul state of putref.

But inclind to think that to be consid as same with febrile putres.

Partic as attend with spongy gums & foetid breath.

But neither these, nor any other mark indic putres as even [foetor] of stools in pres. case.

And after two years contin cannot [surely] be calld acute