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To Dr. Jasper Tough about Mr Brown of Kilmarnock

I am If there was room for suspicion of
any Strumous taint, I should not be averse to his
making a trial of Salt water water, & I desired Mr
Blane to write him last night, that he might safely
make that trial, & I now say to you, that if the trial
shall give any incoragement, I can teach him
how to drink Salt Water as conveniently & Effectually
as at the sea there. But as I do not Recollect any Reasons
for suspecting a Strumous disposition in Mr Brown
I cant bid him depend upon the Saltwater, & if you should
give me any Reason for {illeg} to that Remedy, I would still
say that it can be employed during the Months of September & October
as properly as at present. Whereas this is the most proper time
of all the year, for employing the other Medicine that I think of
& that is the Alterative Mercurial course we spoke of which
together; that he may not be confined more than

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is necessary, I wanted give him the Solution that is necessary
of the Corrosive to the quantity you shall find he can bear,
without its going either to his Mouth or to his Guts.
but I always wish to find some sensible Effects for it either
by perspiration or urine. Along with the Solution, I would give
him the decoction of Sarsa & Mezereon to a bottle every twenty
four hours. The Mezereon I have great faith in as I've had
much success with it, but you must take ↑ great↑ care to have it in good
condition that is very fresh & very Acid Acrid. In that state
you may employ a dram of it for every bottle of Decoction,
but if that dose does not prove very warm or his
Stomach you may go the length of two Drams.
During this course Mr Brown may go about his
ordinary business, but should be more warmly cloathed
than the Season might otherwise require, & he should
avoid being Abroad either in the Mornings or evenings & if
possible the being abroad at any time in very wet weather
This precautions will be more necessary as the course
advances & or as the medicine shows More tendency to
touch his mouth or to make him sweat, these directions
are indeed not necessary to you, nor need I say that his Diet
should be under some Regulation. Strong drinks must
be entirely avoided & animal food taken very moderately