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Malcolm Macneil Esq.r at Carskey.

I am heartily sorry to find that you still continue
to complain & I am sorry to observe that your ailment by
continuing is become more habitual & therefore more difficult
to be removed. A warm summer even without medicines
would have done you service but our last summer was
not of that kind & now the winter is set in there is still
less to be hoped for, however endeavours are still
to be used & I have no objections to your trying James's
Powders, but I must tell you that the pills I ordered
for you, consisted chiefly of James Powder, & as they
so readily run off by stool, I doubt if you will
bear larger doses, which however by the printd directions
are ordered to be given. I advise you not to take a
3d of a paper for the first dose. If that does not purge
you but occasions a little sweat, it will probably
do you service & you may proceed to try half a paper
or more, as you find your Stomach & guts can bear it.
Mind that it is only by perspiration & sweat that it
can be of service to you & therefore if it constantly runs
off by stool you must either give up the trial of it
altogether, or take it along with 20 or 30 drops of
Laudanum. This may prevent its purging & determine
it to sweat but I wish you had somebody of skill
to conduct this matter. If you are to take it with the
Laudanum in order to sweat you should take it in the
morning,

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putting on at the same time a flannel shirt, lay
in blankets & keep in bed for the whole day drinking
frequently a little warm water gruel or weak sage tea,
to favour the sweat. The present season is not
favourable to this course & therefore the practice
must not be repeated often & in the intervals you
must take uncommon care to guard against cold.
I can add no more at present but to desire you
with respect to diet Exercise & the Flesh brush to ob¬
serve the directions formerly given.