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Having been long under Complaints beg to let
you know my Case - Near two years ago I had been long ill
with a severe Cough but got the better of it, Was seized wt.
the same illness in febry. last but recovered About two Months
ago turned ill by degrees - The Cough encreased - Took many
Softening Remedies Without Effect. Five Weeks ago was let
Blood. Took two Vomits. Continued to use Emollients as before
but the Severity of the Cough hath encreased A Tickling in
my Throat makes me Struggle to get up some Defluxion
but commonly altogether in vain I have no Appetite can
not taste Meat roast or boiled though I am hitherto able
to eat an Egg at Breakfast and at Supper - Within these
five or Six days past have been overtaken wt. a violent
Looseness wc together with the Coughing hath weakened
me greatly And yet all along I cannot say that I feel
any pain in my Breast - Some Nights I sleep tolerably at
other times the Cough & Struggle to get up Defluxion inter-rupts
my rest, rents me prodigiously and keeps ↑me↑ long awake

Having ever had an Entire Confidence in You I wished some
Weeks ago to trouble You with a Letter of this Sort but Sloth, I
believe is an Appendage of my Disease. Above all I wish to
come & see You but am afraid will hardly be able to bear the
jolting. But if You advise me I will Venture If not I beg
you will give me what Directions You judge proper by the
Return of Post if You have Leisure - When the Cough forces me
to throw up Breakfast or - I am much easier for a while thereafter

In this Illness I am taken care of wt Uncommon Attention & tenderness
by the Young Woman whom I married about a year & half ago
but I am old born in May 1709 tho' not so old by Dozen
of Years as as my father & Grandfather were

Expected a Call of the Advocate when he Was last at Paisley
My best Wishes to Mrs Cullen & Family While alive

Doctor Cullen
Edinburgh

Mr Wm Thom of Govan
Astringent & Anodyne
Mixture
Vomit, Blister, Riding
22 Augst. 1781