Dear Ruben, That's a good summary, but neither that nor the NMSS site refute the claims that MS is diagnosed by triangulation (probabilities and inference); and therefore autopsy is still the "gold standard of diagnosis" (to quote my neurologist).
Good find re Pepys's autopsy, surely for the benefit of medical science. I'm not as curious as he - no autopsy of me would yield much. My manual tremor and spasticity are being treated and still tolerable; and I've taken a modifying agent for 9 years.
Dear Ruben, there are *NO* "bright line" tests for PD or MS, but only a pattern of clinical symptoms and correllative evidenct from MRI's, LP's, etc. I say this as one who was "diagnosed" with MS 40 years ago -- and have since then lived with the increasing symptoms consistent with it. My late father's PD aside, the website of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society states: "At this time, no single test is available to identify or rule out MS." http://www.nationalmssociety.org/… What is treated are the clinical symptoms.
Pepys's diagnosis favors the morning's distraction -- what can be made from holding and filling offices -- which we ourselves have been too distracted by bowel movements to comment on.
"whether it be the jogging, or by having my mind more employed (which I believe is a great matter) I know not, but … I begin to be suddenly well, at least better than I was."
"but I do now piss with much less pain and begin to be suddenly well; at least, better than I was."
"the great laceman in Cheapside" is a blank in L&M.
"yet when I came home and tried to shit, the very little straining..."
"I had about two stools in the night and pissed well. Voided some wind."
-------------
Ahhhh, the pause that refreshes! Reminds me - when I was in Germany in 1962, a brand of institutional toilet | loo paper was "Endlich Allein" a whiff of the German sense of humor | humour....
"form of knotted embroidery practiced in England from the 16th century to the mid-18th century, but especially in the 17th century. Used for upholstery and table covers, it was worked in imitation of Turkish carpets, which are known from paintings to have been imported to England from the 16th century. The designs were usually of geometrically stylized flowers." http://www.britannica.com/eb/arti…
"all the day within doors, I finding myself neither to fart nor go to stool after one stool in the morning, the effect of my electuary last night. And the greatest of my pain I find to come by my straining to get something out backwards, which strains my yard and cods, so as to put me to a great and long pain after it, and my pain and frequent desire to make water; what I must therefore forbear." - so L&M.
A drug mixed with sugar and water or honey into a pasty mass suitable for oral administration. ETYMOLOGY: Middle English electuarie, from Late Latin electuarium, probably alteration of Greek ekleikton, from ekleikhein, to lick up : ek-, out; see eghs in Appendix I + leikhein, to lick... http://www.bartleby.com/61/31/E00…
Prunes are dried plums, but perhaps fruits weren't dried, eaten only in season because prized for their aesthetic appeal, as has Pepys reported himself subject to on occasion?
"It is the berries that give gin its distinctive aroma. Although first made in Holland, Gin was popularized by the English. It was the drink of the working class and they brought to the US. The majority of Gin sold in the US is Dry." http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/gin…
"---Medicinal Action and Uses---Oil of Juniper is given as a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the kidney and bladder. The oil mixed with lard is also used in veterinary practice as an application to exposed wounds and prevents irritation from flies.
Spirit of Juniper has properties resembling Oil of Turpentine: it is employed as a stimulating diuretic in cardiac and hepatic dropsy.
The fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially sheep, and is said to prevent and cure dropsy in the latter.
The chief use of Juniper is as an adjuvant to diuretics in dropsy depending on heart, liver or kidney disease. It imparts a violet odour to the urine, and large doses may cause irritation to the passages. An infusion of 1 oz. to 1 pint of boiling water may be taken in the course of twenty-four hours." http://www.botanical.com/botanica…
"I had a couple of stools forced after it and did break a fart or two;"
Wheatley can deal with "stools" and "wind," but not "fart," "piss" or "shit" - some of the seven words George Carlin once said could not be said on TV in the US ("tits" is another); L&M transcribe what they find writ.
London and the transatlantic slave trade [...] The Royal Adventurers.
"In 1660, the king granted a charter to the Royal Adventurers into Africa. Supporters of the new company included:
members of the royal family important nobles major London merchants. Samuel Pepys also became a shareholder.
Rise and fall The company quickly established its trade in gold, enslaved people and African goods. Some of the gold brought from West Africa was minted into coins, which were soon popularly known as 'guineas'.
In 1665, it was estimated that the company earned £100,000 from the trade in enslaved Africans, which had become an important part of its activities. Thousands were transported in company ships to the West Indies.
But the company’s finances were never on a sound footing. Private traders removed any advantage of the monopoly over the African trade. In 1672, the Royal Adventurers ceased trading." http://www.portcities.org.uk/lond…
There is a Jews Synagogue near the upper-left corner of this segment of the 1746 map between Ironmaker Row and Dukes Place, north of St. James and Mitre St. http://www.motco.com/map/81002/Se… Though Creechurch Lane is not marked, in 2005 a property on it near Aldgate is also bounded by Dukes Place and Mitre St. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/pl…
"Wind" (gas) was a matter of great medical moment.
Cf. *The Anatomy of Melancholy*, by Democritus Junior [Robert Burton] 6th ed., 1652.
"SUBSECT. IV.--_Causes of Hypochondriacal, or Windy Melancholy_.
"In repeating of these causes, I must _crambem bis coctam apponere_, say that again which I have formerly said, in applying them to their proper species. Hypochondriacal or flatuous melancholy, is that which the Arabians call mirachial, and is in my judgment the most grievous and frequent, though Bruel and Laurentius make it least dangerous, and not so hard to be known or cured. His causes are inward or outward. Inward from divers parts or organs, as midriff, spleen, stomach, liver, pylorus, womb, diaphragma, mesaraic veins, stopping of issues, &c. Montaltus _cap. 15._ out of Galen recites, [2444] 'heat and obstruction of those mesaraic veins, as an immediate cause, by which means the passage of the chilus to the liver is detained, stopped or corrupted, and turned into rumbling and wind.'...." [there are, in all over 50 remedies thereof] http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10…
Anent that, L&M claim that the entries 5-13 October, 1663, are "one of the best-documented attacks of flatulence in history."
Apart from dispensing nostrums and collecting fees, Mr. Hollier likely has the clinical interest in Pepys's bowel movements that my R.N. mother-in-law had in her grandsons'. Just as her husband tired of hearing about it, so may we tire of the minute and repeated reports of symptoms.
"methinks [Commissioner Pett] do talk to me in quite another manner, doubtfully [suspiciously] and shyly, and like a stranger, to what he did heretofore."
Methought, in the last exchanges between them, Peter Pett was rather sullen, having been chastened by the upstart Pepys, for having failed to command the yard at Chatham as the Clerk of the Acts would have had him do it.
cos·tive, adj. 1. a. Suffering from constipation. b. Causing constipation. 2. Slow; sluggish. 3. Stingy.
[Middle English costif, from Old French costeve, past participle of costever, to constipate, from Latin constipare; see constipate. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/…
Comments
First Reading
About Monday 12 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Dear Ruben, That's a good summary, but neither that nor the NMSS site refute the claims that MS is diagnosed by triangulation (probabilities and inference); and therefore autopsy is still the "gold standard of diagnosis" (to quote my neurologist).
Good find re Pepys's autopsy, surely for the benefit of medical science.
I'm not as curious as he - no autopsy of me would yield much. My manual tremor and spasticity are being treated and still tolerable; and I've taken a modifying agent for 9 years.
About Monday 12 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Dear Ruben, there are *NO* "bright line" tests for PD or MS, but only a pattern of clinical symptoms and correllative evidenct from MRI's, LP's, etc. I say this as one who was "diagnosed" with MS 40 years ago -- and have since then lived with the increasing symptoms consistent with it. My late father's PD aside, the website of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society states: "At this time, no single test is available to identify or rule out MS." http://www.nationalmssociety.org/… What is treated are the clinical symptoms.
About Monday 12 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Was it the butter?
Pepys's diagnosis favors the morning's distraction -- what can be made from holding and filling offices -- which we ourselves have been too distracted by bowel movements to comment on.
"whether it be the jogging, or by having my mind more employed (which I believe is a great matter) I know not, but … I begin to be suddenly well, at least better than I was."
About Monday 12 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"In Pepys days an autopsy was 'modern medicine'."
An autopsy is still the "gold standard" (as neurologists are wont to say) for some diseases, e.g., Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.
About Monday 12 October 1663
TerryF • Link
More ellipses, but with satisfying outcomes
"but I do now piss with much less pain and begin to be suddenly well; at least, better than I was."
"the great laceman in Cheapside" is a blank in L&M.
"yet when I came home and tried to shit, the very little straining..."
"I had about two stools in the night and pissed well. Voided some wind."
-------------
Ahhhh, the pause that refreshes! Reminds me - when I was in Germany in 1962, a brand of institutional toilet | loo paper was "Endlich Allein" a whiff of the German sense of humor | humour....
About General song information
TerryF • Link
The Pepys Ballads sung a cappela
scroll down and click on the "Song" of your choice - uses Quick Time Player.
http://emc.english.ucsb.edu/balla…
About Sunday 11 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Turkey work
Red tapeestry in Turkish style.
(Select Glossary)
"form of knotted embroidery practiced in England from the 16th century to the mid-18th century, but especially in the 17th century. Used for upholstery and table covers, it was worked in imitation of Turkish carpets, which are known from paintings to have been imported to England from the 16th century. The designs were usually of geometrically stylized flowers." http://www.britannica.com/eb/arti…
About Sunday 11 October 1663
TerryF • Link
And the last ellipsis
"After supper to bed as I use to be, in pain, without breaking wind and shitting."
About Sunday 11 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Wheatley's ellipses filled in
"all the day within doors, I finding myself neither to fart nor go to stool after one stool in the morning, the effect of my electuary last night. And the greatest of my pain I find to come by my straining to get something out backwards, which strains my yard and cods, so as to put me to a great and long pain after it, and my pain and frequent desire to make water; what I must therefore forbear." - so L&M.
About Electuary
TerryF • Link
electuary
A drug mixed with sugar and water or honey into a pasty mass suitable for oral administration.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English electuarie, from Late Latin electuarium, probably alteration of Greek ekleikton, from ekleikhein, to lick up : ek-, out; see eghs in Appendix I + leikhein, to lick...
http://www.bartleby.com/61/31/E00…
About Saturday 10 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Prunes are dried plums, but perhaps fruits weren't dried, eaten only in season because prized for their aesthetic appeal, as has Pepys reported himself subject to on occasion?
About Saturday 10 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Hiplew, nice nose - indeed, 'tis!
"It is the berries that give gin its distinctive aroma. Although first made in Holland, Gin was popularized by the English. It was the drink of the working class and they brought to the US. The majority of Gin sold in the US is Dry." http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/gin…
Just whisper "vermouth".....
About Saturday 10 October 1663
TerryF • Link
Juniper berries
"---Medicinal Action and Uses---Oil of Juniper is given as a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the kidney and bladder. The oil mixed with lard is also used in veterinary practice as an application to exposed wounds and prevents irritation from flies.
Spirit of Juniper has properties resembling Oil of Turpentine: it is employed as a stimulating diuretic in cardiac and hepatic dropsy.
The fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially sheep, and is said to prevent and cure dropsy in the latter.
The chief use of Juniper is as an adjuvant to diuretics in dropsy depending on heart, liver or kidney disease. It imparts a violet odour to the urine, and large doses may cause irritation to the passages. An infusion of 1 oz. to 1 pint of boiling water may be taken in the course of twenty-four hours." http://www.botanical.com/botanica…
About Saturday 10 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"I had a couple of stools forced after it and did break a fart or two;"
Wheatley can deal with "stools" and "wind," but not "fart," "piss" or "shit" - some of the seven words George Carlin once said could not be said on TV in the US ("tits" is another); L&M transcribe what they find writ.
About Africa Committee
TerryF • Link
London and the transatlantic slave trade
[...]
The Royal Adventurers.
"In 1660, the king granted a charter to the Royal Adventurers into Africa. Supporters of the new company included:
members of the royal family
important nobles
major London merchants.
Samuel Pepys also became a shareholder.
Rise and fall
The company quickly established its trade in gold, enslaved people and African goods. Some of the gold brought from West Africa was minted into coins, which were soon popularly known as 'guineas'.
In 1665, it was estimated that the company earned £100,000 from the trade in enslaved Africans, which had become an important part of its activities. Thousands were transported in company ships to the West Indies.
But the company’s finances were never on a sound footing. Private traders removed any advantage of the monopoly over the African trade. In 1672, the Royal Adventurers ceased trading." http://www.portcities.org.uk/lond…
About Synagogue (Creechchurch Lane)
TerryF • Link
There is a Jews Synagogue near the upper-left corner of this segment of the 1746 map between Ironmaker Row and Dukes Place, north of St. James and Mitre St. http://www.motco.com/map/81002/Se…
Though Creechurch Lane is not marked, in 2005 a property on it near Aldgate is also bounded by Dukes Place and Mitre St. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/pl…
About Friday 9 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"Wind" (gas) was a matter of great medical moment.
Cf. *The Anatomy of Melancholy*, by Democritus Junior [Robert Burton] 6th ed., 1652.
"SUBSECT. IV.--_Causes of Hypochondriacal, or Windy Melancholy_.
"In repeating of these causes, I must _crambem bis coctam apponere_, say that again which I have formerly said, in applying them to their proper species. Hypochondriacal or flatuous melancholy, is that which the Arabians call mirachial, and is in my judgment the most grievous and frequent, though Bruel and Laurentius make it least dangerous, and not so hard to be known or cured. His causes are inward or outward. Inward from divers parts or organs, as midriff, spleen, stomach, liver, pylorus, womb, diaphragma, mesaraic veins, stopping of issues, &c. Montaltus _cap. 15._ out of Galen recites, [2444] 'heat and obstruction of those mesaraic veins, as an immediate cause, by which means the passage of the chilus to the liver is detained, stopped or corrupted, and turned into rumbling and wind.'...."
[there are, in all over 50 remedies thereof] http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10…
About Friday 9 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"My great fit of Collique"
Anent that, L&M claim that the entries 5-13 October, 1663, are "one of the best-documented attacks of flatulence in history."
Apart from dispensing nostrums and collecting fees, Mr. Hollier likely has the clinical interest in Pepys's bowel movements that my R.N. mother-in-law had in her grandsons'. Just as her husband tired of hearing about it, so may we tire of the minute and repeated reports of symptoms.
About Friday 9 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"methinks [Commissioner Pett] do talk to me in quite another manner, doubtfully [suspiciously] and shyly, and like a stranger, to what he did heretofore."
Methought, in the last exchanges between them, Peter Pett was rather sullen, having been chastened by the upstart Pepys, for having failed to command the yard at Chatham as the Clerk of the Acts would have had him do it.
About Thursday 8 October 1663
TerryF • Link
"my constitution being costive"
cos·tive, adj.
1. a. Suffering from constipation.
b. Causing constipation.
2. Slow; sluggish.
3. Stingy.
[Middle English costif, from Old French costeve, past participle of costever, to constipate, from Latin constipare; see constipate. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/…