Letter 4462

Patient Details

• Patient info
  Name: N/A Unnamed Lady
  Gender:
  Age:
• Description

  Burton was called to see 'the Lady the Bearer', who is 'subject to frequent hysterical Convulsions' and pulses. He believes her condition came about after undertaking 'a regimen she had been recommended to for the benefit of her Eyes viz repeated phlebotomy & Catharticks continued eight months'. The treatment weakened her constitution. Burton 'attended her, and her strength is pretty well recovrd'. Her eyes are still in poor shape. Burton does not know 'Whether it be an hysterick or a Rheumatick affecting of this organ [the eye]'. The patient's vision is obscured and she is in pain.

• Diagnosis

  Convulsions; pulses; eyes; hemorrhoids; weakness; rheumatism; pain.

• Treatment
  Previous Treatment:

  Burton blistered her and gave her a 'Bolus's of Cons: Anth: Cinnab: Antim: Castor: Rad: Valer: Sylo: philo: Visc: querc:'

  
  Ongoing Treatment:
  Response:

  By 16 April the patient developed 'frequent itching, cutaneous Tubercles in various parts of the Body'. She was given 'Diaphoreticks were used till the sympton almost disappear'd and then an Enema'. Burton claims that 'The former seem'd necessary to obviate the Complaint of painfull Haemorrhoids'. The latter have subsided since 'the Disorder of her Eyes first seized her [...] This Cutaneous Eruption was attended with Considerable releif to the Eyes'.

• More information
• Medical problem reference
  Convulsions, Eyes, Haemorrhoids, Weakness, Rheumatism, Pulse, Pain