The letters from a known doctor named, William Cullen from the UK will soon be published online offering a unique insight into the world of 18th-century medical practices.

Doctor William Cullen, who received and sent some 5,000 letters as part of his medical practice between mid-1750s and 1790 when he died, is known to be the foremost medic of his age. The doctor ran a lucrative trade in medicine by mail from his house in Edinburgh. The Enlightenment era medical practice was only available to those visiting Scotland but the letters are soon to be published online for a wide variety of audience.

The large quantity of letters and responses that were gathered by the Scottish medic, will be made available online on 11 May at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh. The online publication is a result of aproject by Glasgow University to copy and catalogue his cases that ran for a period of four years.

Dr Cullen became one of the most eminent and best-known physicians of his era even as he came from a humble background. He became a professor at Edinburgh University and became famous as he started delivering his lectures in England instead of Latin. He also developed a private practice with patients from across the world writing in search of treatment

Dr David Shuttleton, a medical culture lecturer at Glasgow University, who led the project, said: "Medicine by post was common in the 18th Century. Travel was difficult, physical diagnosis rudimentary and laboratory medicine non-existent. As a result a fair description of somebody's complaints was thought sufficient for a tentative diagnosis and the institution of treatment."