[Page 1]
Mrs McNachtane Hunter.

I am very clear in your case. It is one that puzzles us because it [takes?]
on the form of no particular disease; but it is not less intelligible as an affection
of the whole system giving a great variety of symptoms & in your case
they all unite in expressing a relaxed nervous system. I believe yours
has been originally such & more increased since you came of age by
circumstances in your manner of living. So far as your System hads
been originally weak & your complaints have in length of time become
somewhat habitual, they will be of difficult cure & it is perhaps impos¬
sible to restore you to the Vigour of other persons, but by proper atten¬
tion it is possible to render your complaints lighter & tolerable. The
[m]eans of doing this is by Tonic remedies & avoiding debilitating cau¬
ses. Cold bathing has not done so much as was to be expected, –
[bu]t still should be continued. Another means of consequence is being
much in the fresh air & frequently on horseback. So far as Costiveness [arises?]

---

[Page 2]

continue the use of the solution, but no further as all evacuation
do harm. Tho I believe your ailments depend more on your head tha[n]
stomach, yet I dont suspect there is any furthness or congestion in
the Brain & therefore should not advise bloodletting – but as you have ren¬
dered such an evacuation habitual for some years past, I cannot ad¬
vise you now to lay it aside entirely, but advise you to lessen the
quantity every year till you can leave it off altogether. In the way
of medicine Bark might be of service, but it cannot be employed
in such quantity & with such continuance as would be of any great
service without being in danger of doing harm, for I am per¬
suaded the the frequent & long continued use of the Bark or Bitters
will at length destroy the tone of the stomach. The Tonic which
I can most safely recommend is the prepared Powdered Steel [This]
you may take to the quantity of 10 grains twice a day, & will
be more agreeable if rubbed with a little powdered Cinnamon
& Sugar & take them for a fortnight together. I would have th[is]
continued no longer at once; but after an interval of some
weeks repeat the course. The Course will answer best with
you about the end of Spring & beginning of Summer, as I hope
for the present your bad season is nearly over –– Your experien[ce]
has taught you that the emptiness of your stomach is hurtf[ull]
& I therefore approve of your light suppers rather than none. At
Dinner take solid animal food, but with respect to quantity
keep your stomach always light. Avoid the Viscid foods as
fish & young meats. Beef & Mutton will agree with you
better than Lamb or Veal. Tho I think it is right to be reserved
in strong drink you will be the better for 2 or three glasses of
Port every day at Dinner ––