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To Mr Duncanson about Mr Grant.

Matters seem to be in a threatening way to Robt. Grant. Capt. Urquh. ¹
information only confirms my fears of the faint being laid deeper than we
at first imagined. His hectic, advances very fast & if his spittle be not
already purulent, will soon be. Of such cases, the event seldom favourable.
A case such as Capt. Frazer's, not once in 1000 times. I write all this at
Capt. Urquhart's desire, but whatever our fears, we will take all the
pains &cc. For this

I cannot bid you return to the Tartar Emetic but there may be occasion
for the Anodynes. Night fever & sweatings are [inc?] aggravated by the
coughings & an anodyne given early in the Evening by quieting the cough renders
the fever & sweating more moderate. Therefore, such anodynes as your
discretion &c. You may fear difficulty from Costiveness but this is
rare & a tendency to Diarrhoea comes on always, sooner or later & even with
the anodyne, plenty of subacid fruits, which are now proper, will obviate
all Costiveness. If he get plenty of fruit the Elixir will be less needful
but at any rate it can do no harm. The Issue in his back is now as
necessary as ever & must be continued The low diet formerly recommended
is now even more necessary. A little gentle exercise on horseback
or rather in a carriage, but his strength not sufficient to benefit by it,
& this season &cc. However I leave that to your discretion. If the
Balsam do no harm, it will probably do good & you may increase the
dose as it will sometimes quiet the cough when Opiates cannot properly
be employed. Tho I have little faith in Pectorals & they will come
in this case too late, I offer you a very innocent one which has often
been of service.

If this you can
bring him thro the winter we may have better opportunity of doing something
for him in the Spring. &cc.