DEP/DUA/1/45/52 (Transcript version)

William Torrence

(1789)

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W^m Torrence at 26. N^o34

Formerly obs. that could have no hesit in pron disease of this patient a distinctly markd inst of Epilep.

And since that no circum has ocurrd tend in any degree to alter opin, as to nature of disease.

Must also I am [afraid] still likewise hold same sentim resp. term.

Obs. that all circum taken tog. case a very unfav. one.

And When consid how many even of app. slight inst, prove incurab. could here entert but little expect of recov.

And this still affraid will be ultim the case.

At same time app. since came under our care rather fav than otherwise.

And this I own disp to attrib to med here empl.

Use viz of Cup. Ammon under form of pills.

Of this artic though far from consid it, as gener or even freq success in Epil. must own I entert a fav. opin.

And this also as will obs. from Dr C. Mat. Med, the opin of others.

In what manner oper. must own am at loss to say.

Little doubt, that action solely effect of influ on stom.

And more prob. that operates by remov. praedisp to disease, than excit cause.

That from tonic powder takes off a condit of [mov.] fibre, without which those inord actions constit greatest part of fit could not have effect occurr.

At same time, some facts, partic its influ as anticip fits, even from short prev. use, which give presump. that may oper. also in anoth mann.

That from impress made on stom induces action of brain, diff from that which takes place in Epilep.

And that thus prevents morbid action.

But whatever princip of operat, have from repeated exper no doubt, that have often seen it prod of good effects.

In obt. these great obj to manage it in such manner as to prod [illegible] without stimul effects.

For to interm use of [copper] in gener. its stimul powers occurr as [strong] obj.

Accord blue vitriol, [verdigris] &e hardly vent upon intern unless as emet.

And when accid taken often even prove poisons.

But in Cup. Ammon. where app brought to saline state by vol. alk. have a milder & more manag. med.

Still however can seldom be vent on, at least at comm in larger dose than half a grain.

And accord. that quant. enters each of Pil e Cupro of our Phar.

From this however, dose to be grad encr. as found that patient can bear it.

Here therfore from begining with singe pill have now grad encr. it to extent of five nine in day.

And has cont. use for above a month.

Even to that quant. born withou any inconv.

And during use, though not free from fits, yet these much less freq.

But what perhaps to be consid as still more fav circum is also less affected, with stupor than formerly, & judgem mental powers in diff resp improved.

These then strong inducem for still persist in giving this remed a farther trial.

Some indeed obj to contin above a month at a time from appreh of danger conseq.

From repeatd exper. howevr can venture to assert that after uninterup. contin for sever months, never saw any bad affect from it.

And in my opin, only ground for alarm, is not from persist in use, but from but from large dose at once.

For in this way apt to give rise to very distress. vomit.

Hence therefore no hesit in persist in empl. till full & fair trial.

But at same time as formerly hinted, am still appreh, that in end shall not find it prod of desired effect