DEP/DUA/1/46/17 (Transcript version)

Thomas Mackay

1789

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N^o2^d Novr 3^d. 1789.

Thos Mckay at 30, by trade a weaver, is at present subjected to a paralytic affection, which consists chiefly in diminution of the power of sensation & motion in the left leg & arm, although his speech also is somewhat affected. The parts affected do not seem appear to be wasted & seem to retain the natural heat & circulation.

Pulse heat & Belly natural, appetite good, & he sleeps well in the night.

This affection began in May last, he was attacked with it suddenly, when at work at his loom. And when at work at his loom, without any previous uneasiness, he fell down in a state of almost total insensibility deprived of the power both of speech & of voluntary motion.

After the use of blisters, purgatives & other remedies, he recovered his senses & the power of speech to a considerable degree but the affection of his side still continued to a considerable degree & was nothing alleviated by the use of the flesh brush & friction with flower of mustard which were used without much perceptible benefit. But for about ten weeks past, electrical sparks have been daily drawn from the affected side & since that he has been progressively improving, so as to have considerable power over the diseased limbs & to speak with tolerable ease.

Novr 14^th

Has been regularly electrified during the course of last week & thinks that he moves his hand in particular with more ease than before. In other respects he continues much as formerly.

Cont. Electr. u. a.