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I have been here some days watching over my poor Girl
who rather declines for some days past, her pulse is never free of fever, although regular
and firm, she is generally restless till she drinks her Ass Milk (near half a Mutchkin)
before five in the Morning and then she sleeps sound for about three hours; she breakfasts
after Nine upon a dish of Tea, for we can scarce persuade her to eat anything att any
time, she rides out about twelve, for two hours, and eats a glass of Jelly before her ride.
About three hours before dinner she complaints constantly of a violent thirst, but seldom att
any other time. If the evening be inviting she rides out again for about an hour
and a half; ↑having taken Ass Milk in place of Tea↑, her Supper is generally a Glass of Jelly a few raisins and a drink of
Water. All dinner she scarce eats anything her Stomach being very much gone, but she
drinks a good deal of Water, her thirst being very violent. After dinner she takes one glass
of Claret about the 12th. part of a Bottle with a bitt of bread this and her Jelly is the only
thing she seems to relish, there may ↑be↑ in the Jellies for a day, near an ordinary glass
of white Wine. Her Cough is not very troublesome through the day but more so in
bedd especially when restless and ↑after↑ her Ass Milk in the Morning she often has a copious
sweat. She spitts up litt litle, butt her Cough is very bound, and more so than ordi¬
nary within these few days.- My Wife informs me that since October last when
she catched this unlucky cold she has been Obstructid and that for some time
before she had been very irregular in that way. She has tried the Bark you
may remember, but gave it over as she said it increased the Weight ↑upon her head and Eyes↑ and confusion
she often complains of, and likewise a Weight att her stomach which she said the
Bark increased past bearing, she now likewise loaths Cocoalat.

My dear Friend do you think any more can be done for my sweet lassie
or is any alteration proper to be made in her diet &c. Some Officious Females

have been saying to My Bairns, why is not Doctor Cullen consulted in her
case. Shall I begg the favour of you to advance the consultation money to
him untill I come to Town which will be in ten or twelve days, and I shall
be anxious to hear from you while I am here. I make no Apology to you for
this freedom for I am sure you will forgive me. I have forgote to tell you that
some times of late she feels a thickness in her breathing but gentle, and she never
has had any pain in her side or breast. I ever am My dear Sir,

Mr. Alexr. Wood
Surgeon in
Edinburgh

Miss Laurie
May 1784.
V. XVII. P. 56.