[Page 1]

Your kind favor came here
some days ago - When I was out of town
to which you must Impute the delay
of writting you -- and as I had not
seen your father this Eigth days -- I
thought it would be proper to go to Mouline
in case there were Any Change since
I had Seen him before - I {illeg}
went up yeaster day and dined with
him -- His Complaint I am sorry to say
is rather gaining ground than other¬
wise -- The Blotches that were on his
arms and legs when you saw him
last -- [Have?] now [covered?] a much large
surface and are of a more florid
appearance -- discharging a sort
of thin & hash Liquor -- which seems
to Corrode the Skin all round - And

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from the freshness of this Liquor to¬
gether with the Itchiness of the part
I believe is owning its preceeding
so Much -- He has All Along been
very Costive - to Obviate that he
has got some doses of the Polycrest-
Salt -- and Continues the external
Application [becom?] mended by
Dr. Menzies of Couper of Fife -
he has [given don the Lowland?] --
He is likewise much distressed
with pains in his Legs - which
are a good deal Swelled -- especially
the One that was not fractured -- and
Emits at the Ankles a Liquor of the
same Nature with that discharged
from the Other Blotches --

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[Page 3]

It is confined as yet to the Extremeties
The colour of the Leg that is Most swelled
is something {illeg} or {illeg} - but dont think
there is any Danger -- as I believe it is the
Effect of the [fire?] in a great measure - He has
his appetite pretty well -- I have recommended
a Vegetable Diet to him -- And I cant help
thinking but it is a Scorbutic complaint
[However?] I may be mistaken - And I beg you take
a Consultation -- Youll be better able to de¬
scribe the appearance of his complaint from what
you saw of him -- Than I am able to do within
the Bounds of a Letter -- I dont know whether
or not pitkeathly ↑water↑ brought up for him would not
be proper -- however this leave to the decision
of able Men which you have Within reach -- I only
beg you will if [possible?] let me have there
Opinion on Tuesday -- As I wish much
he Was better --- For No[thwith]standing his not

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not being well -- And this Cold [wrath?]
he persists in preaching every sunday
which I really think is bad for him
but could not prevail upon him
to let it alone I wish you would write
him -- Best respects to Mr. Ferguson
& sisters -- I hope you have had good Accounts
of Sir George -- I am my Dear Sir ---

Niel Ferguson
Esqe. Advocate
Saint Andrew's Square Newtown
Edinburgh