DEP/DUA/1/47/31 (Transcript version)

Alexander Kerr

(1789)

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N^o20 Alexr Kerr at 43.

When this patient came under care consid his case as not altog without doubt

Even then however was disposed to consider it as an ex of Phthis.

And from every thing that have had opport of learning during prog of affect this susp. conf.

While at same time, as indeed in general happens in that disease cannot say that derivd any matter benef from pract here empl.

With view of relieving dyspn & giving determ from breast had here recourse to a blister

And as means of support change of circul thus induced, directed that should be kept open by issue ointm.

With blister & issue, conj also what we call comp powder of G. Myrrh.

That is p. [ae] of G. Myrrh & Crem of Tart.

An artic which since strong recom of it by Dr Saund. Simm & others have often empl with Phthis pat.

And I think in some cases even decidedly markd not without benef.

From blister & issue a free disch took place.

And upon this thought his dysp at least somewhat relievd.

Although therefore other sympt still as before this suff inducem to contin

But in this partic patient did not long compl with direct given him.

For from issue as indeed in genr happens at commen. was subj to consid pain.

While at same time imag that had consid effect in induc weakness.

And although prob mere conseq of the disease yet not altog [without] found.

But whethr opin well founded or not learnt at succeed report that had allowed it to heal.

And in this situat would prob have served very little purp to direct [ren].

Resolvd therefore to cont with G Myrrh alone.

But now found that had some influ in moving belly.

Or at least had two stools daily.

And by contin to consid extent had reason to imag that would be augm.

Directed therefore that a dose should be taken only twice daily.

Seemd however necess to do somethn farther with view of obv. urg. cough.

For this purpose, directd a mucil mixt with prop of Tinct. Theb.

And to prev operat by sweating as well indeed, as to counteract sw. which had already taken place, added a propor of dilut vitriol acid.

From use of this mixt imag that both cough & dysp much relieved.

And so far from augm sweating that thought this also consid diminished.

Cannot however say that benef thus reapt was perm.

For notwith contin of med cough became again more severe.

And although looseness not encr. was yet much distressed with tenes.

This imag might be supported & encr by G. Myrrh.

And as after trial for some weeks found prod of no adv. thought it inad to push it farther.

On this account therefore deserted use.

And as means of counteract Tenes. with contin of mixt. directed addit of prop of Conf. Japon.

Whether from this addit or not tenesm soon after became less distress.

And for a few days somewhat easier.

But this relief only of short cont.

For soon after recurr of sympt with addit even of sickness at stom & vertigo.

Circum prob. indic of progr of disease.

In this situat however saw no benef. to be exp from change of med.

Thought it suff therefore to [desist] contin

But since that have seen [nothin] more of pat.

And what has been terminat of his case cannot pretend to say.

Reckon it however not improb. that disease still contin prog if has not even already termin fatally