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For Miss Polly Ormston

Many circumstances in Miss Pollys constitution and complaints
show too clearly that there is a tendency to consumption. There is
however nothing of that kind yet confirmed, and it is to be hoped
that precautions being taken she may entirely escape it ––
The precaution of most consequence is the avoiding the effects
of winter which in a Northern Climate almost certainly con¬
firms

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the disease, I would therefore advise her being immediately sent
to a warm Climate if it can with any conveniency be done. Nothing
short of the South of France will put her in security. Her travelling
thither if conducted slowly and with avoiding cold will be of service
to her. A place should be chosen as near to the sea as can be con¬
veniently had and even there she should avoid both the morning
and evening air –– With this change of Climate the mea¬
sure next most effectual is the management of diet. She should
take entirely to a diet of milk, grain & vegetables, abstaining
entirely from all kind of animal food, except in travelling when
she may take a little of some light kind at Dinner She must
always abstain from all kinds of spiritous liquor and take to
water and watery liquors alone. Tea taken weak, cool and in
moderate quantity is not bad for her. –––– Moderate exercise
on horseback or in a Carriage will always be of service to her,
but walking or any bodily exercise is very bad for her –– Where¬
ever Miss Polly is, she may be affected with Cold, and therefore
must guard against it, and even in France, I would advise her for
the winter to wear a flannel shirt next her skin and that both
night and day –– I depend upon these precautions for Miss
Polly's health and have but one remedy to advise for her. That is
a blister of about four inches by three to be laid exactly on the
pained part of her side, and a part of this is to be turned into
a perpetual blister, which should be kept open for a year or two
to come, or if that cannot be easily done, a pea Issue should be
made behind her shoulder –– If at any time the cough becomes
more troublesome, let her take the pills ordered on a paper apart.