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For Mrs. Gordon

After considering every circumstance I must own that Mrs. Gordons case
is somewhat doubtfull. It has the appearance of Dropsy, but this I cannot find
to be certain & I am clear that the case is not of any immediate Danger nor at
present requires any operation. I am very hopefull that the disease by attention
& care may be prevented from growing any worse & that Mrs. Gordon for a long time to
come may enjoy a tolerable state of health. The measures proper are in the 1st plan
↑are↑ frequent gentle exercise in the fresh air, either on horseback or in a carriage suiting the
degree of exercise to what she can easily bear. Walking would do no harm to her
principal ailment, but for another which she is affected with it is absolutely improper &
she should walk no more than what is absolutely necessary, & particularly she
should never stand long upon her feet. In taking exercise she must take great care
to avoid cold, & therefore in the course of winter she must go abroad only when the
weather is mild & tolerably fair. She must take particular care to keep her
feet & legs always very warm & dry. It will be a great security against cold if she wears
constantly a flanel shirt next her skin. In diet Mrs. Gordon must avoid much li¬
quid & all flatulent food, & therefore for the most part she must avoid taking broth
of any kind. Her dinner should be a little solid meat rather roasted than boiled. She
may take of Beef mutton veal lamb Rabbit or fowl but should preferr the
younger & lighter meats. Some of the lighter kind of white fish boiled, she may
take, but it should not be frequently. Eggs she may also take on the same conditions
Besides those more solid & nourishing foods she may take any made of grain
& she should every day take something of that kind to save her taking too much solid
food. Roots greens & other Garden things she must take very sparingly, or not at
all. A dry meally potatoe is one of the safest she can try. If she digests milk
easily it may be a part of her diet, but not very largely. In drink of any kind
Mrs. Gordon must be as moderate as possible. All malt liquors are to be entirely
avoided & what ordinary drink she requires must be water with a little white wine in it
Or if she perceives that wine is ready & become sour or windy on her Stomach,
she may take water with a little spirits in it & of the latter Dutch gin is ↑one of↑ the best
for her. She should not at any time take Tea, & for her breakfast she may take a
little Coffee or weak chocolate. With her Coffee she may take bread & butter as usual.
These are the particular of Mrs. Gs. Regimen wcwhich I hope shall contribute to
preserve her health & prevent the increase of her disease & in the way of
medicine I think there is little to be done. The rubbing of the Belly with
oil may sill be continued once a day. The only other medicine I have
to advise is prescribed on a paper apart. It is an Infusion of which 2
or 3 spoonfulls are to be taken 2 or 3 times a day for a fortnight at one

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time, but after laying it aside for a week or two it may be taken
again for a fortnight more & this perhaps to be repeated several
times during the course of winter