Series 3 > Papers from the collection of Sir William Fraser

PAPERS RELATING TO THE MEARNS 169
or an ounce of the syrup of white poppys in a proper
vehicle when your lop has it in a great degree.
(12)
PRESCRIPTION by Dr. John Arbuthnott
I approve of my Lord’s drinking some wine for that
despiritedness, he may safely sometimes at bed time take
a pill vft Gummi & caster in it such as
Jfc Gummi Ammoniac
Ass Foetid aa. gr. vii
Caster
Sal succini aa. gr. iii
Balsam peruvian 9s
M. fiant pilulae pro una dosi.
(13)
MEDICAL MEMORANDUM by Dr. John Arbuthnott
The dissease is a very great one of its kind ; & being
inveterate hard to cure. The consequences of that dis¬
temper in the extremity if not prevented by dyet and good
medicine are hectic feaver dropsy an ulcer one or all.
Ther is loss of blood to most by the Haemeroid vessels &
letting blood by the Arm will rather do hurt.
Epsom salts irritate the distemper Elixir salutes too
hott & so is spirit of Hartshorn or spirit of scurvy grass.
The swiming of the Head & other symptomes like vapours
cannot be otherwise curd than by curing the distemper of
which they are the effect.
The intention must be to cool & incrassate the blood
to strengthen the fibres of the bowels for which purpose I
would advice the continuance of the Spaa water above a
pint in the morning & drink at mails v,rt a strong red wine
for ordinary drink.
In the first glass of Spaa water in a morning putt 20
drops of the elixir vitrioli, if it agrees with the stomach
the patient may take 30.