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We received your letter of the 23d May and
would have wrote sooner in return but that you gave
no reason to expect another from you very soon after
your last, from which we might gain further informa¬
tion –– We expected also further accounts by Mr Lindsay

We are sorry to find from what we have now learned
by him & by your last that Mr Bethunes health is not
yet better –––– The scanty small roundish Portions of
Fæces which you describe indicate some contraction
or narrowing of some part of the Colon which laxa¬
tives or purgatives cannot remove tho they are necessa¬
ry now & then to prevent the accumulation & other
consequences which would take place were the use of
them neglected –––– At the same time however the
sleepless & painfull nights which Mr Bethune would
pass without the aid of Laudanum renders that Me¬
decine also indispensible We are therefore of opinion
that he must continue to use it frequently & to take
such Doses as you find by experience are necessary
to give him ease & rest interposeing the laxatives
every two days & particularly the Ol. Ricin cum Tinct
Sennæ

as the wind in
his Bowels is exceedingly troublesome & seems to be the
cause of the reaching & uneasiness at his stomach which
distresses him so much in the evening we hope the
following Drops may give some releif from it ––

We much approve of his taking
frequent airings in the Chaise when he is inclined
to it –– a little exercise & fresh air must have a tendency
to brace his Bowels & expell the wind which troubles
him so much ––––

We are