DEP/DUA/1/47/25 (Transcript version)

George Gibson

(1789)

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George Gibson at 38. N^o17.

In case of this patient as well as in those of Dav Sheriff & Alexr Napier already treated of, an evid ex of Taenia.

After what already said therefore resp these cases necess to add but little resp. it.

Here was intent, to make trial of the specif powder of Mad Nouffer.

The root of Polypod Filix mas or male fern.

This used in worms cases as early as days of Dioscord.

And partic against Taenia.

Accord to him, Lumbricum latum quam Taeniam vocant excitit.

But had fallen almost entirely into disuse till revived by Husband of Mad Nouffer.

By him however his mode of treatm kept secret.

But after his death purch by French goverm & pub for good of the pub.

Into all minut of her treatm need not here prop to enter.

May referr those who wish for full act of it, to treatise which had former occas to ment pub in France & transl. by Dr Simmons.

Suff to obs. that first case to empty intest canal.

And after this, to give at early hour in morning, before any victual taken the Fern powder, to quant of one two or three drams.

About two hours after while anim probab in that state of sickness which it occas. a strong purgat empl.

And by operat of this, at times when from dimin of vital power, unab to retain place, is alledged to be comp. expelled.

Sometimes however comes away even from Fern powder alone before purgat taken

And from experim out of body, evid app. that this artic to a cert degree oper. as a poison to the worm.

Or at least dimin vital powers for cert length of time.

But found also, after influ over, that the animal again revives.

Hence when not disch from Fern powder, great part of cure must dep. on empl of expelling force of cathart at proper time.

And in general found to succeed best at end of two or three hours after Fern tak

This pract I have formerly found success in some cases, where prev fair trial of Tin powder & other pract without affect.

But on other hand by no means success in every inst.

And have been for my own part oftener disapp in disch large fragm by this than Tin.

Fern often fails from what exhib. not being of good qualit.

Very liab to suffer much from keep.

And root by no means equally active when taken up at all seasons.

Whether to be expl from these or any other circum, had not in pres case the desired affect.

For even after repeated trials no large fragm brought away.

During use of purgat indeed accord to acct of patient, a quant of matter resemb grease brought away.

But in this respect his acct perhaps hardly to be dep on.

For as before obs. either origin of weak underst, or had been weakened by pres of worm.

But whether here any very pecul app or not certain that the animal still remaind as before.

For at end of some weeks during which empl stomach pills & mixt with view of strength bowels, found him still disch joints as before.

Next resolvd therefore on trial of Tin powder.

Of this, took you will obs, two diff courses in same manner as had been empl with Sheriff & Napier.

And although in both their cases, brought away large fragm, in this inst was as well as Fern powder without any effect.

That is no consid port obs to be disch.

But for some weeks afterwards obs no more joints.

And at his own desire dismissd.

With regard to this patient may observe, that exclus of irregul attend seemd not very cap of underst direction given him.

And notwith his reports is yet with me doubtful whether med regul emp.

Hence do not consid his case as affording ground for concl against either pract