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I have again carefully perused the
account you gave me of your sons complaints and have re¬
flected on all I observed from seeing and conversing with him¬
self. Upon the whole I have no doubt concerning his
disease. He is threatened or is indeed affected with what we
call a spasmodic asthma. A disease attended with little
danger but very ready at times to continue troublesome for
life. Its attacking him so early in life is ambiguous for on
one hand it gives hopes that on his return of life it may be
removed but on the other hand if it does not then yield, the
early attack shews a stronger disposition to the desease and
gives fear of its proving obstinate and troublesome for life.

I have thus given you fairly my opinion of the disease
and I wish I could give you as clearly the means of curing it.
I know by much experience that this is difficult but I shall
give you very earnestly the best assistance I can

I am very clear for giving him immediately the {illeg}

I have no doubt but that he may be better in sailing
than at home but at the same time must observe that
as I suspect he will bear little of any bodily exercise so
the exercise which the business of a sailor requires may be
too much for him and I must advise that on his first voyage
he must (↑ay↑) only look on and put to his hand very little.

Upon this plan I am clear for his trying a voyage
especially at this season and till that trial is made I
would not advise any other remedies and now I shall only
advise a few cautions to be observed on his voyage.

A day or two before he goes on board let six or eight
ounces of blood be taken from his arm

Let him take care that during the voyage he does not
become very costive and if costiveness does come let him
obviate or remove it by taking in the morning a teaspoon
full or two of the Electuary prescribed in the inclosed.
If this Electuary by keeping becomes dry let him have some

At all times let him take care not to be warm by the
sun or otherwise and particularly when he is ashore let
him ↑avoid↑ much walking.

Let his diet be of a middle kind by no means
of much animal food nor on the other hand en¬
tirely of vegetables. On board the ship he must
avoid salted meats. Let him have some portable
soup to make a little fresh ↑broth↑ for himself almost every day and
this with bread will always be a proper meal. When he can
get it he may take a little fresh meat but his chief dependance
must be on bread, rice, flower of rice, barley, sago & oatmeal.
Of these with currants, raisins, apples & preserved fruits he
↑may↑ make a great variety.

When you shall be pleased to give me a report of this voyage
I shall be ready to advise further being Dear Sir