| Description | Journal of Jonathan Troup: July 1791
He has been in country with his uncle who is unwell
Throughout the month, he pondered whether to stay or not. At the start of the month, he stated that he could not remain long in Aberdeen unless he got business and was thinking of advertising as a surgeon in the paper. Later in the month, despite his making an effort to 'parade about to show myself', he believed he could not remain here 'to live handsomely and make anything'. There was also no occasion to give advice free as the Dispensary did that. He said that he planned to return to West Indies if nothing came up but would wait until he got letters from the West Indies
Bob Barber's death was in the Star newspaper on 30 May 1791
He received a letter from William Watt; Letter from Reverend Bisset desiring him to practice in Aberdeen
He issued his tickets. Remarks were made about the design and wording of his ticket. It was suggested that the design of his ticket implied that he sent his patients to heaven and that he should have left 'Aberdeen' on it
He got the ticket of James Morrison (Hatter in Aberdeen and formerly class companion) and 'Dyce'
He drew teeth of his and Mr Cromar's sisters
He spent a substantial part of the month treating Jean Gordon's boy (William) who was 12. He had fever and purging, had passed worms, choking and once vomiting with dizziness. He updated his condition in detail every day. It worsened until his 'breath stops a few seconds then he fetches sighs; skin is covered with patechiae and very hot to touch'. Dr Troup remarked that it felt as if you'd burn your finger to touch him. The next day, a great eruption of red pustules came out all over his body and especially on his face. Following this, he improved rapidly although he had a slight relapse later in the month.
Jean Gordon suggested that he should advertise her son's case so he wrote it out and gave it to her to advertise. He then changed his mind as 'I cannot get business and all my acquaintance is gone'
He visited Mr Innes and supped with him
He visited Tom Tawse, merchant in Montrose, formerly servitor to Mrs Forbes when he was at Ballogie
He visited Capt Urquhart who had recently come from London and Edinburgh with his children. He gave them cards to carry to Alford and heard Capt. Urquhart preach at Fittie.
He made notes from Riad Pinedás' Spanish Grammar
He called on Dr Dunn who does not receive him very freely so he resolves not to call as often
He treated another patient who was suffering from piles
Dr Bannerman's son calls, he gave him shells
He treated Mr Woods daughter for a sore finger of scrofulous appearance
He called on Dr Innes at Rubislaw and on Dr Fillan's sister
He called on Mrs McCook who was suffering from consumption. Following treatment, her condition had improved
He heard a sermon at St Paul's Chapel. Mr Dean was Minister at £75 per annum and Troup remarks that he is a 'shrewd fellow'
He treated a woman for a headache
A man called with cancerous nose and Troup gives him blue lettuce which made it bleed and stopped the itching. A few days later he remarked that the man's nose was looking better. Corrosive sublimate of mercury was burned
On Mr McCook's 6th anniversary, Troup went with him and Mr McCrude to Rubislaw where they caught a salmon
He saw a butcher who got a cut on his head with a knife. Dr French came and dressed it, the cut was trifling
Dr William Innes died of consumption. He was called to the funeral but made excuse as he had no blacks
He received a letter from David Wood in East Indies
He drank tea with Mrs Boyle
He learned that Dr Clark is giving up business by Christmas
He heard a sermon at Nigg with Mr Cromar who stays the night
Reverend Thomson called on him. He wanted to know the manners and customs of the West Indies as he was going out there. Later, Troup remarked that 'Mr Thomson has left off thoughts of going abroad at present and I advised him from it. Supped with him and gave him his flute on loan'
He read 'L'Ecole Du Monde Amsterdam 1699 Promenades from M Le Noble' which contained entertaining little stories with morals drwan from them. He quoted from it in French
He received a letter from George Moir wishing him prosperity and happiness
He discussed the Rectorship of the Grammar School and Dun's Mortification
He quoted in French and Latin
He received a letter from Mr Watt in Edinburgh. Mr Watt is as dissatisfied in Edinburgh as he was in St Andrews and he goes to London in October
He wrote to Dr Brown in Hamilton regarding a recommendation to the Duke of Richmond
Mr McCook's child died in chincough. Troup remarked 'I had nothing to do with it'
Mr Smith, the botanist, called in. He arranged to breakfast with him the following day and gives him some natural productions. The following morning, he drank tea with him. He plays nation music tolerably and his mother is a free clever woman.
He wrote to his brother that he has no great chance of success here and gave him a present of Dr Fresney's Chronology (2 volumes) and italian exercises
He transcribed verses in French |