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
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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.

    25/40 (page 24)
    found it then necessary to apply for medical aid. The tumour Arse treated by a respectable practitioner, for nearly three weeks; but the patient not being aware of the necessity of avoiding exercise, the swelling continued obstinate. Being impatient to get better, that he might return to his profession, the patient was induced, by the pressing solicitations of one of the Committee, to apply to Mr. Whitlaw. Mr. Whitlaw declared to the patient that his case was a cancer^ exactly similar to that of a Captain Cummins, whom he saidhe had cured; that medical men, though they might know what the complaint was, were unable to cure it, because they had not the means; that it would shortly spread over the whole thigh, unless it were checked ; and he promised to cure it in a short time. Patient was then asked a few questions as to his case, and the answers were written down in a book. For this a guinea was charged. The vapour-bath was ordered, a bottle of No. 1, and an ointment for the tumour. In spite of these means, however, the tumour went on, and at the end of a fortnight it burst, dis- charging purulent matter in considerable quantities for a few days, during which the same treatment was continued. The opening closed up; but the swelling went on increasing in size. The heat of the tumour was in some degree diminished by the vapour- bath ; but it at the same time produced considerable weakness. No. 1 had merely a purgative effect; the ointment no effect at all. These means were persevered in regularly for one month longer (making six weeks in all), without benefit; on the contrary, the swelling got worse, and that notwithstanding exercise, which was recommended to remove it. Mr. S. was now advised by Mr.Whitlaw to go to Margate, where a complete cure was promised in two or three weeks. Patient continued at Margate a fortnight, still conti- nuing the same treatment, at the end of which time was worse than ever. In this state was Mr. S. when shoven to me by Mr. Whitlaw for the purpose of obtaining my opinion as to his complaint. I found him full of anxiety, being absent from a very extensive business in London, which required his superintendence; also impressed witli the idea that he laboured under a dreadful disease. After examina- tion, 1 declared my opinion, that the disease was not a cancer; that it was of a very simple nature (not apparently specific) ; and that by a judicious application of discutient means it might be cured in a few days. I thought pressure the most advisable treatment. The patient was much satisfied with this declaration. Mr. Whitlaw went away to get some medicine. In his absence, Mr. S. told me he doubted much if Mr. Whitlaw understood his case; that he would give him another fortniglu's trial, and if not better, would apply to me. I answered, that I could not interfere with Mr. Whit- law's patient.' Mr. Whitlaw, previous to going way, told patient he had taken No. 1 too long, and he would bring him a bottle No. 2.