It is of great consequence to the Admiral's health to have his belly kept
regular & therefore when necessary for that purpose to take a medicine. But
all the Sharper purgatives are Unfit for his purpose as they either do too little
or too much & when they purge they are ready to leave an astriction which
increases the costive habit. It is therefore desirable to find a medicine that
may give a single stool nearly a natural one without purging & at the same
time leave no astriction. As I cannot now have an opportunity of trying
what will best suit the Admirals Constitution I propose here three several
remedies which I think may Answer the purpose & of which the Admiral when on trial
may take a choice & also adjust the dose of it to his own Constitution. One
of them is an oil which with many persons Answered very well but I
doubt much if it can be had in Russia If however it shall be found to
suit the Admirals Constitution very well it may be readily got from this Country
but let it be observed that when it is so procured it should always have a 5
part of strong added to every dose & let this be well shaken with the oil before
it is taken. The dose of this oil is to be taken always in the morning as it
commonly operates in a few hours after it has been taken. The other two
Medicines prescribed are such as may be had almost every where. The one is a
powder of which 1, 2, or 3 tea spoonfuls may serve for a dose. The powder is to be
mixed with a little honey or simple syrup & taken in the morning. The pills are
always to be taken over night & one 2, or 3 are to be taken for a dose. In the
use of all or any of these Medicines it is to be observed that they should never
be used but when necessary & always when they are so. I think this rule may
be observed. When a stool happens at least once in 2 days a medicine is
not necessary but when 2 days pass without a Stool on that night or
next morning a medicine should be taken