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Your obliging favour of 16th. Instant
I duely received, in answer to which, I must
inform you that you ↑are↑ indeed mistaken in your
conjectures respecting my still using Tobacco
for I do assure you upon the faith of an
honest man that I have not tasted it since
I left Edinburgh, so that the acidity upon my
Stomach must proceed from some other cause
I am sorry to inform you that since I wrote
you last, I have had two returns of the
Piles in the course of the last Eight days
the first a very Slight one, the last came on
about three days ago & still continues, they
do not bleed much at once, but do more
or less every time I go to stool, I have been
much griped during the time & a slight
degree of purging Bilious looking matter
it is however very gentle not above two
Turn Over

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two or at most three Stools in the 24 hours, there
is likewise a Stricture & hardness about the Anus
with an uneasy sensation about these parts, which
altho not very painfull is very disagreeable,
I flattered myself I had got the better of their
complaint altogether, but these hopes are blasted,
but I still trust to get the better of them, as this
return at this time may be owing to some cold
I may have caught tho I am not sensible of it,
the Wind upon my Stomach & Bowells, particularly the
last, are of all my Complaints the most troublesome
& uneasy, it often goes through my guts with a
great noise, - at times I pass it pretty freely
but for the most part it seems inclined to keep
possession of my closs quarters, & as it is at best
but a troublesome & often a painfull guest, I would
willingly with your assistance file a bill of ejectment
agaist it & turn it out of Possession ---

With regard to keeping myself warmly clothed
I pay particular attention to your orders in that
respect, I have wore a flannel shirt next my skin
both Summer & Winter since I was first attacked

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and seldom alter my Cloathing -- the feet & legs I pay particular
attention too as you thought most necessary, I keep my ↑head↑
closs shaved & frequently bath it in cold water
which may in Some degree answer the purpose of
the Sea bathing. - I am preparing to take another
course of the Chalybeate & infusion, which I think
necessary & I trust will meet with your approbation
I send this under cover to Mr. A Gairdner, who
will forward me your answer as he is furnished
with a frank for that purpose -- I have only to
add that I am

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✍

Mc Kie Junr.
October 1779.
X. p.109