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I am well persuaded that all Mr Gordons Ailments are owing to his
not having the Gout in his Extremities for some time past. We cannot
command the return of it, but we know many things that are favourable
or unfavourable to it & by these we must order his regimen.

By this regimen we expect to take of his P Present complaints and
to dispose nature to give us her assistance towards obviating them for
the future –––

Nothing is more improper for him than much application to business
& if he can any ways do it he should give it up for some time altogether.

At the same time it is of consequence to keep his mind amused and there
is no better means than variety of place & company ––– To obtain this
he should travel about, make tolerable long journeys & never remain long
in one place ––– Very frequent Exercise is as necessary to his
body as amusement is to his mind & they should therefore be joined together

When he is in much Exercise & while the state of his digestion continues
as it is now, there is not much occasion for nicety in his diet but there are
certain things wch at all times he should avoid – Bacon, Pork and of fat
meals or heavy sauces, All baked & fired meats, or drest dishes or brown
sauces ––– He should be sparing of fish & especially of the heavier kinds [Page 1]

and drest shellfish –––– On the other hand he must be more carefull
in avoiding Cold things, Sallad, Cucumber, Melon & most kinds f of fruit
In general all greens & Roots must be taken sparingly ––– Vinegar
must not be taken freely all pickles are to be avoided and more especially fresh
Lemon Juice - Spiceries taken moderately and not improper ––– If he digests
milk easily he may at times take milk meals that is boiled milk & Grain but
he should not take cold milk & cream is extremely improper –– Eggs he may take
sometimes & cheese to the quantity that people take commonly take after dinner
is very allowable but Macarone or toasted Cheese would be very bad for him.

The best drink for him is toast water or with a little strong Wine in it.
Small beer Cyder any kind of Punch is in my opinion very improper ––

A strong drink at Every meal is very proper but he must keep
within strict bounds & whatever goes the length of heating him will always
do harm. If he is very moderate in the quantity I would not dispute with
him in the quality of his wine, but I think there is some danger in Claret,
Chamapagne all other french White Wines & in all kinds of Rhenish &
that Madeira & Red Port are good Sherry much safer ––––

He should take very little tea or coffee but he may take the first at
breakfast if he take it in weak ↑in↑ moderate quantity & with plenty of bread and
butter ––– All kinds of Sweatmeats are bad for him –––

It is of consequence for him to avoid Cold in every shape but more
especially in his feet and legs –––

Upon this regimen I would depend very much & offer him very few
medicines – Bitters may ocassionally be of use but the long continued
use of them may be hurtfull. If any medicines are likely to be of use it
is the Chalybeats but even these I would not advise in the summer season.

If towards the approach of harvest he either finds himself no better and ↑if↑ after
being better he finds his complaints returning I would advise him to go
to Bath & make a cautious trial both of drinking the waters & bathing –

Just now I will advise but one remedy & that is a Pea Issue put below his
knee which he may have done as soon as it ↑is↑ convenient for him to be at home
for a fourtnight together ––––