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I received only this morning your very kind Letter of
the 26th of last month, which must have been sometime detained
on your Side as the regular course of post betwixt your City and
this Town is now reduced to five days -

I am much obliged to you for the concern you express about
the State of my health and for the good advice you give me
upon the occasion - the Nature of my disorder Seems to have
now taken a decided turn to the Gout, which for the first
time took possession of my right toe the second Christmas
day, which prevented my Surgeon from placing a perpetual
blister in the Nape of my neck, as he had proposed to do that
morning - the fit of the Gout was very gentle having only
confined me 6 or 7 {illeg} and t'is now So far gone off that I wear
my ordinary Shoes & walk thro the house - the weather
for some days past has been so foggy that there is no Stirring
abroad ev'n in a close carriage - my head was clearer
while the gout continued but I have since been troubled

Dr Wm Cullen at Edinb.

again with a headache at night, and confusion in my head in
the morning, which generally diminishes after breakfast and
in a great measure disappears after dinner - it is attended
at night with a Slow fever - my mouth much parched ---
I formerly used to perspire copiously, but neither the use
of my clarify'd whey nor that of white wine whey which I
took Several nights warm in bed, have had any effect worth
mention, but late in the morning I sometimes feel a little
moisture on my Skin, which I have tried to encourage by
drinking warm Tea but to no effect - I imagine the Issues
you ordred by way of drains may now by useless & that
ev'n the Pills may be delayed untill I receive yr further
advice on the Subject - if my headache continues I propose
making use of the Loch leeches upon the right temple,
and shall for the rest Strictly observe your Prescription as
to Diet - flannel I wear next my Skin constantly these
3 yrs past at your own desire - my left Arm & legg are
perfectly restored -. Catharine joins me in Sincerely
wishing you & yours the Compliments of the Season - She
is now quite recovered & continues an excellent Nurse - the
boy very healthy - I ever am with Singular Esteem =

By Caxton
Norwich January Eighth 1787
Dr William Cullen
Edinburgh
H Hobart

David Gregorie Esqr.
Jany. 1787
V. XIX P. 19.