Letter 0185

Patient Details

• Patient info
  Name: N/A Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull
  Gender:
  Age:Evelyn Pierrepont, b. 1711, d. 1773 [Cokayne, Complete Peerage, vol. 7, pp. 307-308]. Movements described as being typical of children.
• Description

  The Duke was reading (which Hickman thinks he does too much for his strength." He was seized with contraction on the side of his face. Hickman threw cold water on him after which the Duke became sensible and told Hickman he was tired. Afterwards he had sudden twitchings and startings. He also has "childish habits", such as sniffing his nose and opening his mouth, and trouble forming words.

• Diagnosis

  Sloane's prescription: "vensect. fontanell. vescator. pulv. ad. quittet."

• Treatment
  Previous Treatment:

  Sloane had given Hickman advice for the Duke of Kingston.

  
  Ongoing Treatment:

  While waiting for Sloane's advice, Hickman administered: first he gave Pills of resin of Jalap mixed with "pil. fetid." He began with purging because the hot weather. Hickman also thought that a foul stomach was the underlying cause. He also prescribed an electuary of wild Valerian and bled the Duke. For the Duke's trouble sleeping he gave the Duke a small bottle of Lavender to carry with him.

  
  Response:

  The Duke was adverse to cutting and asked Hickman not to do it unless Sloane said it was necessary. He kept having fits, which is why Hickman was updating Sloane.

• More information
• Medical problem reference
  Fits, Facial contractions, Childhood Diseases, Epilepsy