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Dr Gilchrist Concerning Mrs Gordon, Miss ----- Junior
Mr Mackenzie & Mr Mutter.

So far well that there is now no fear of Ascites in Mrs
Gordon. The seat of the Physconia of no consequence for
be it seated where it will, I am ready to think it incurable,
but if she is tired of the Tartar, try some other medicine &
the Cicuta is as good as any. In a former letter you mention
her asthma, which now seems to increase. I do not ascribe it
to the abdominal congestion, but think it a separate
disease in the Lungs, & therefore must be relieved by anti¬
spasmodics. You know what you may expect from musk
& will act accordingly but I expect more from the large
dose of Laudanum. If purely spasmodic the Laudanum
is the most promising but in case of much defluxion
it may not answer so well & vomiting if she can bear it
or blistering may be of more service.

I despair of Miss ---- Junior as I think the
Case now Phthisical. I cant add much to my fomer
plan for the winter. Palliate according to circumstances.
vary the Demulcent Pectorals & employ anodynes often.
Sometimes a vomit, sometimes a blister useful, but
all this left to your discretion.

I rejoice at Mr Mackenzies relief ---

Mr Mutter has had better luck than I or Mr Wood
expected. Neither of us [efer?] reflected a word on his
management at Dumfries. We said that the laying open
might be necessary but wished to try to avoid it & it has hap¬
pened that we have succeeded. On such occasion people will
talk but we shall do all in our power to prevent it. It is
Mr Wood's & my opinion that the former practice of laying
bare Carious bones & the consequences were seldom either
necessary or judicious but upon this occasion we have had
not a word to the purpose. In whatever concerns your credit or
interest you may certainly depend on