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Burnet of Counterswells.

Your accounts of Mr Burnet of Counters¬
wells give me a great deal of concern. I think his ailments
have proceeded to a great degree and go on now so fast as
to require the most effectual and speedy remedies we can
think of. I have had a conversation with Dr Grant on
the subject some days ago and we are both of opinion that
a sea voyage is the most promising remedy that can be em¬
ployed and is perhaps the only one that can be of much
service. If it can be employed therefore I would earnestly re¬
commend it but I see there may be some difficulty in the
execution as a neutral ship may not offer soon at Aberdeen
and I find that just now hardly any British ship will stir
out from any of the ports on the east coast. However there
are two schemes to be mentioned the one is not trusting to
the port of Aberdeen but sending to all the ports on the
neighbouring coast to get notice of any neutral ships touching
at any of the ports within reach. A Danish ship came

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into Leith last night and there may be others there. I shall
inquire after them and if I find they can any ways suit Mr
Burnets purpose I shall let you know. The other scheme I
would mention is this. I have heard that the smacks which
at this season go so frequently from Aberdeen to London are very
swift sailors and therefore may either trust to their sailing
to get into a port or trust to their being ransomed tho captured.
Let Mr Burnet and his friends consider these schemes and
determine for themselves. If no scheme can be found for a
sea voyage I am sorry to observe that nothing else very effectual
can be proposed. I should think a journey to Bristol the next
best but I am much afraid to Mr Burnets not being able for it.
However under a certain management it may be possible and
I leave it to your good judgement. If he remains at home I
find nothing to be added to our former advice. The demulcent
pectorals are to be tried and varied by your discretion. The
expressed juice of the Tussilago leaves in such quantity as the
stomach easily bears I have sometimes found of great service
in such cases. I must say further that the accounts I have

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had of Mr Burnets present habitation makes me think it very
unfit for him and if he can easily find one better sheltered and
further from the east coast I would advise a change.

I am not for pushing the opiate more than you are but
I think such medicines absolutely necessary and think that rest¬
less nights from incessant coughing and especially the diarrhea
must do ↑much↑ more harm than the opiate can possibly do.

With respectfull Compliments to Mr & Mrs Burnet and
sincere wishes for his recovery I am with very
great regard