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I have attentively considered the whole history of this
case which I percieve to be drawn by a person of skill & discernment.
From the whole I am very sorry to observe that Mr Forbe's habit
of Body is in very bad conditions, and has been so for sometime
past, and that now also some particular parts as the kidneys and
bladder are more especially affected. In this situation of things at Cap¬
tain Forbes time of life his recovery must be very difficult, but en¬
deavours must be used for his relief and if we can support him for a
little time, it is to be hopped that the discharge from his boils may
draw away a great deal of his bad humour. For supporting
him & putting his Body in some condition to throw off its bad hu¬
mours the Gentleman at Inverness have very properly put him on the
use of the Bark This I would wish to continue, and if the quantity
mentioned is given in substance I think it must be of Service. Another
Remedy that I think would be very useful is Opium, which in all cases
of Suppuration is very safe, and by its queiting his pains and the frequent
irritation to make water; it may give him sleep, and thereby support him
greatly. The only interruption that I can foresee is from the hectic fever
which if attended with sweating as it frequently is the Opium may perhaps
increase these. But it depends upon the good judgement of the Gentleman
on the spot to determine whether Opiate does more harm by a little
increase of fever and sweating than good by relieving pain and giving
sleep, and I am disposed to believe that the latter will be the case.
While pains are thus taken to relieve & support him, it is to be wished
that we could do something also to mend his blood, and were it not
for his weakly state & Hectick fever, I should have advised an alternative
Mercurial Course, but I must leave it to the Gentleman upon the spot
to find if there is any opportunity for trying it safely. In the mean¬
time I cannot doubt of the safety of giving Antimony, and he may
take daily some doses either of the Antimonial wine or Emetic
Tartar to the quantity that his stomach will easily bear.
This will go the further if along with it he takes what he can
bear of the Sarsaparilla Decoction every day. These are the
only Remedies I can at present suggest. If we shall have more

time to treat the case, and any circumstances shall discover farther
the nature of his Complaints. I shall be ready to contribute every
thing in my power - For the present I think his diet should be
entirely of Milk and Vegetables without any Animal food except
a little sweet ↑weak↑ broth. I would give as much Milk as he can easily di¬
gest, and if he does not digest easily the plain Cows Milk, let it be
mixed with an equal part of water gruel and be well sweetned
with sugar, both which will favour the digestion of the milk
very much.