Letter 0137

Henry Downing to Hans Sloane – July 19, 1726


Item info

Date: July 19, 1726
Author: Henry Downing
Recipient: Hans Sloane

Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4075
Folio: f. 73



Original Page



Transcription




Patient Details

  • Patient info
    Name: N/A Henry Downing
    Gender:
    Age:over the age of 27
  • Description

    aversion to exercise, sedentary, frequet catarrhs and defluxions of rheum, soft flesh, slend limbs, small boned. Had blotches as a teenager (palm and elbow). Had VD in late 20s.

  • Diagnosis

    He currently has pain in his left breast, shoulder and arm, vertigo, heart palpitations, defluxion, fear of suffocation, pain and heat in the anus (he cannot sit for long), difficulty urinating, weariness, difficulty swallowing due to a sore throat and "startings" in bed. He thinks the anus pain must be piles. He also notes that the heat in his anus seems to have spread to his scrotum and urethra. His face has also broken out in scales and he has "wandering" pains in his limbs.

  • Treatment
    Previous Treatment:

    He had been, from childhood, ricketty and frail. This was made worse by his sedentary lifestyle. He lists several ailments. For scaly and rough patches on arms and hands he took anti-scorbutic juices and chaylbeat and Bath waters internally and externally. They did not work. Then he underwent a salivation after which he felt much better. Then at age 27 he contracted gonorrhea and underwent a three month cure.


    Ongoing Treatment:

    On the back of the letter there are prescription notes for bleeding, emetic and electuary.


    Response:
  • More information
  • Medical problem reference
    Urinary, Regimen, Insomnia, Venereal complaints, Throat, Skin ailments, Pain, Lungs, Headache, Haemorrhoids, Genitals, Emotions, Dizziness, Heart, Scurvy