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I came here yesterday to inquire for Mr Bethune
who I found still distressed with his stomach Complaints. As you
know his case already so well, I need only inform you of his
State since I saw him Last & ask your advice with regard
to what may further be done for his relief. He is drinking
hartfield spaw water which does not disagree with him only
he feels it a strong astringent to Obviate which he has recourse
to Rhubarb at times & Other times to tinctura Sennæ Composit.
So much air is generated when his food is digesting that when he
cannot get it easily up it brings on Straitness & painfull
Spasmodic twitches in his Stomach & bowels. If you approve
of it I was proposeing to give him a tea spoon full of Mag¬
nesia vita with his Rhubarb; or in a Glass of water, Barley
Cinnamon water or peppermint as he pleases at any time
when he is much distressed, and lessen the quantity he takes
of the Hartfield Spaw or Dilute it with a third part of
Common water. If you think the Calcined Magnesia proper Mr
Lindsay who is to deliver this to you had better send it by the
Carrier. I think it may reabsorb fixed air that is generated in
the process of Digestion & help to keep him easy in his belly.
He sometimes feels a Giddiness but I understand it is mostly
when his Stomach is uneasy so that it may proceed from

Doctor Cullen professor M. P
Edinburgh