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Durham January 11th. 1784

Mr. Rudd began to take the medicines agreably
to your directions, -- On the second or, I believe, on
the third day, the spoonfull, he took in the Evening
produc'd as He call'd it, a distension or stretching over
his Breast and Stomach insomuch as to prevent his
sleeping, He tried it again the succeeding day and
evening and had the same sensation and effects, upon
this he took but half the quantity, but the conse¬
quences were the same, I therefore charged the
mode of giving it, and He took one large spoonfull
only at Noon which agreed well, nor did it in the
least interrupt his Sleep, in this way He went
on increasing the dose gradually at Noon, 'till
he took the whole quantity, ↑order'd↑, viz, two Spoonfulls;
this manner of taking it answer'd his wishes, and He
certainly was much the better for it, as He acknowledg'd
his feelings to be infinitely more agreeable to himself
than they had been for sometimes, the improvements
indeed were daily manifested by his becoming almost
totally free of his usual complaints, his appetite
grew good, his digestion apparently well performd
and his looks & spirits considerably alter'd for the better

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Byt last Tuesday He was seiz'd with a sickness
and purging attended with some colicky pains, which
however, in a about 24 hours, were intirely got the
better of, and since that time ↑He↑ has continn'd tolerably
well, He has, notwithstanding, lost Flesh, and looks
yellowish, this casual increasiness He attributed
to the medicine, which he apprehends had been thickend
by the severity of the frost, and that he had got
in one dose a greater proportion of the Guaicum
than common, but I rather suspect, it was from
some accidental Cold, or by some indigestion that
might happen about that time; - at all events I
advis'd his desisting from taking the medicine for
a few days, and I dare say He now wants only your
sanction to begin with it again, for it became
and continu'd with him a more favourite medicine
than any I have known him take before, which is
a proof that He thought himself much benefitted
by the use of it; I shall hope to be honour'd with
your farther instructions as to the method you wish
us to proceed in. I am, Sir, with all manner of respect
your very faithfull & obedient Servant

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✍

Mr. Rudd
January 1784
V. cv. p.373.