Inquiry respecting Mr. Charles Whitlaw's practice in scrofula and cancer : and the propriety of instituting an asylum, under his care, for these complaints, &c. / by A. Rennie.

Rennie, A.

Date:: 1828

Credit: Inquiry respecting Mr. Charles Whitlaw's practice in scrofula and cancer : and the propriety of instituting an asylum, under his care, for these complaints, &c. / by A. Rennie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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$the first i»itervie\v. ! 'ad I not done so, the nose by this time would, in all probability, have been gone; and had the ulcerations in the throat taken the direction of the larynx, the patient's life was not worth a straw. The following case of pulmonary consumption has been ab-eadv alluded to. R. , age 24, Jibout four months ago caught a severe cold with violent coughing and pain in the chest opposite the sternum. Tliis cough continued some time, and gradually went off.—It shortly thereafter returned, though in a slighter degree, accompanied on one occasion with expectoration of a considerable quantity of bright red congealed blood. A blister was applied, and rest enjoined with some relief; but shortly after caught a fresh cold, which caused cough to return with hoarseness of voice. These symptoms, though better and worse, continued severe. About two months and a half ago, the cough being very distressing, applied to Mr. Whitlaw, who told her that in a short time he would make a complete cure of her, saying it was merely a sore throat, and that the lungs were free from the dis- ease. Her case was then taken down, for which paid a guinea. Mr. Whitlaw then ordered, as usual. No. 1 and the vapour-bath. This .treatment was continued for about two months. The vapour-bath at the time produced slight relief, but next day was always weaker in consequence. It was so often repeated, that patient was obliged to give it up, from the excessive weakness it produced. The other me- dicine produced no sensible effect except on one or two occasions slight purging. About a month ago was ordered to Margate by Mr. Whitlaw, where she has been since. Found the air much too keen, for after walking she always felt pain in the chest. Received no benefit from Mr. Whitlaw's treatment, but, on the contrary, health being in a declining state, has given him up. A medical man declared the case to be confirmed consumption. Pulse 120. Cough incessant, especially during the night; much expectoration of purulent matter; appetite bad; sickness and vomiting after eating; breathing much affected; voice almost in- audible, from extreme hoarseness; occasional pain in the chest; sleeps very ill, and considerably emaciated. In this state was this patient on the 1st of August, when she left off Mr. Whitlayv's medicines. She is now, by a different treauneut, able to resume her former occupation. The pulse is under 90, quite steady. She seldom coughs, the expectoration is nearly gone; the appetite and digestion are now good; the breathing much more free, and the sleep sound; the hoarseness still in a considerable degree continues. These favourable changes in the symptoms lead the pa- tient's friends to consider her almost wholly recovered. Whether a cure ultimately takes place will depend entirely on the care that is taken, and the species of ulceration which exists in the lungs. One thing is certain, that contiiuicd ptivgingand vapour-bathing were the$