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I was call'd to see your Father on Wednesday last, and got
there in the Evening. --- when it gave me the greatest pain to find my
worthy Friend, in the following condition, viz.

His Strength and Spirits were greatly exhausted, -- owing probably in
some measure, to his having slept almost none, the four preceeding Nights:
His Pulse very feeble and small, but regular, and near 100 in the Minute
His Skin cold and clammy - particularly his Feet and Legs, which were
likewise œdematous: -- His breathing distressed, -- yet not by Wheesing in
the Lungs, but a kind of hissing noise in his Mouth, in time of Expiration,
like the hissing of a Serpent: -- On any sudden Exertion he gasped
for Breath and lay quite lifeless -- Cou'd scarcely walk a Dosen of Steps
without making a Stop, both on account of his Weakness and Dyspnœa, tho
supported with his Staff and a Person's Arm; -- yet he does not now complain
of the Pain across his Breast so much as formerly: -- he had been troubled
with a Cough about ten days past, which is sensibly relieved by Squill Pills,
but they had produced four Stools that day, -- this, with some degree of
Looseness a few days before, was more exhausting to him, as his Appetite
had been so much failed that his Stomach loathed all Food, and he
cou'd be prevailed on to drink nothing stronger than Milk and Water.

After taking some warm Egg-Caudle with a good proportion of red Port,
we got 40 Drops of Laudanum, his common Dose, had his Limbs well
rubbed -- and his Bed effectualy warmed with Seltzer-Water-Bottles fill'd with
very hot Water -- which were likewise kept all night at his Feet and Limbs
because they generaly continued cold in Bed. -- He slept pretty well that
Night, and seemed more refreshed next Day -- his Breathing and Voice
more easy and natural -- his Skin more comfortably warm - and his Spirits
a little better, -- and the Looseness gone: -- so that he rode out in a little
Carriage with Mrs. Bell, two Miles that Forenoon, without fatigue.

In his low State, the chief Indications appeared to be -- To support
Nature by light cordial Nourishment, -- To brace up the Solids -- And to pro¬
mote Perspiration. --- I therefore directed Egg-Caudle, as above, -- strong Broth

I shou'd not have troubled you with such a long Letter, had it not
been at your Mamma's request -- She says Doctor Cullen is so obliging as
to desire a particular account of every Alteration in the Case: -- they both ex¬
press their warmest Gratitude for his kind Attention: -- his Directions have
been carefully observed -- and she expactes you will lose no time in writing
her any thing he further prescribes. ---

I know not wether Dr. Stephen at Elgin has wrote You or the
Doctor: -- he had been call'd about three weeks ago, to see your Father, on
the occasion of a violent Paroxysm -- And drew off 6 or 7 Oz. of Blood, --
This, with a Blister and Solution of G. Ammoniac & As. Fœtid gave imme¬
diate Relief at that time: -- I do not however imagine he wou'd now
incline to take more Blood. ---

Most sincerely wishing the Recovery of so valuable a Member of
Society, I am with Regard

Mr. Thomas Gordon - Writer to the Signet
Edinburgh