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I have been at all times
applying to you in my distress, and as the present is the greatest
ever felt, I must trouble for your aid in getting an opinion
from one or two of the most skillfull Physicians in your place -
I have been for some times past troubled with a stopage in my
water at times, on wednesday last I went to visit my Cousin a
Captain George Sutherland at Recorchar, and that night I was troubled with a
total stoppage of my urine, which put ↑me↑ in a most terrible situatione.
I sent for a man to blood me and sent for our Country Surgeon and
for Doctor Alexr. McKenzie at New Tarbat. I was in downright torture
till the Surgeon got an Instrument minded the Catheter, with this
Instrument, he Extracted all the water then in my Blader, and
it has been used sometimes once and sometimes twice in the 24
hours ever since. When ever the urine is Extracted either shape
I find relief. But when the Bleeder fill again I am much dis¬
strest. The Doctor tells me I have no Stone in the Bleeder, But I have
past Clotted blood at times, at other times clear blood and generally
either the first or last that comes is a tinctured with blood. I am
not able to take my usual subsistance of meat or drinks,
yet I cannot say but I am otherwise in good health and think if
I knew how to pass my water, or get any thing to have that effect

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I would be very well. I own I have been much alarmed and
what adds to my distress is I think of the situation my wife &
family wou'd be in if this was to carry me off. I must therefore
beg of you to get me the best advice. Some of your Phicisans
cannot miss to have met with such cases in course of their practice
If I could get the Clerkship dasposed of even for £100, I would willing¬
ly give it up, for I want much to do you that Justice which your
generous friendship is so justly entitled to. Since I began to write
this I observe that I pass Sand mixed with blood. If you
find it necessary to consult one or more able men I will pay the
Expence on demand. I rode from Rearrhaar / which is three Scots
miles of bad road from this place / on Saturday last, and made
several attempts to get water by the way, but could not. Doctor Mc¬
kenzie advised me to ride every fair day. I rode about two miles
yesterday, but got no ease untill the urine was extracted
about 11 at night. I got a very good nights rest, but no urine
till now that it is two o Clock afternoon, that I tried with great
difficulty, a little mixt with blood and sand. I shall only add
that I am –

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For
Mr Robert Watt of Wood end
{illeg}
Edinburgh

✍
Mr Sutherland
April 18. 1780.
V. XI. p. 6.