[Page 1]

I fear from the Length of Time Elapsed Since
I had the Honour of Consulting You at Edinburgh - that You
have thought me Neglectfull in not Acquainting you
how Mrs Cokayne was in her Health before this -- I very Well
know how much Your Time is taken up by things of greater
moment - and as no Material Alteration was Expected
from the Nature of her Disease to take place Suddenly -- I forbore
Writing One Week after another - till I fear'd it would begin
to Look like Ingratitude -- We have Pursued the modes
you was so kind as to Lay down and I am happy to say -- with
much Success -- to Say She is Well -- would not be true -- but I
Can Safely Say she is quite another Creature to what she was
when You last Saw her --- We observe a Strict Attention to
Diet -- and she takes good French Brandy & Water to her
Meals -- in about the Proportion of 5 to One -- No other
Spirit whatever -- Sits with any Ease upon her Stomach
We also avoid Vegetables -- Now & then a few Turnips with
Pepper to them agree pretty well & that is the only Vegetable

---

[Page 2]

we dare meddle with at all -- The least Inattention Either to
Diet or Exercise bring back the Old Symptoms Immediately
She has taken the Steel Pills as directed -- and I think they
have been a Means of taking off that Lumpiness in the
Stools which she was so much troubled with -- We have
been able to Desist from the use of Laudanum now for these
2 or 3 Months -- nor have we Ever tried the use of Alkalies
in her Drink, altho she Sometimes had the Sour Risings -
I have just now began to have her Washed Every Morning
in Salt Water with the Coldness taken off -- it seems to
Agree very Well and If it meets Your Approbation shall
Continue it till she Can Bathe in the Sea -- if You think
Bathing is proper -- We have tried the Cortex Peruv -- but
We Rather fear'd it brought on the Spasmodic Asthma -- as she
was more Short of Breath at that time than any other --
at the Same time the Proof was not full as from the
Nature of the Weather she had not been able to Ride out
for a fortnight when it happened -- if you think We
should give it another trial -- We shall do so -- in Any Shape
you like best, or if any other Mode Seems better to You
Than that We are in - We shall Esteem it a great

---

[Page 3]

Obligation if You will favor us with an Answer
I Sincerely hope Mrs Cullen Yourself & all Your
good Family have Enjoyd good Health Since
I last had the Pleasure of Seeing You -- and that
You & they may long Continue to Enjoy that Blessing
is the Sincere Prayer of Your much Obliged

---

[Page 4]

Dr Cullen
Edinburgh

✍
Mr Cockayne
February 1786
V. XVIII. p 29