1803

"...told me I might have his Daughter & I rather think I shall take her."

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 ...told me I might have his Daughter & I rather think I shall take her.
Letter of physician A.H. Smith, "New Burgh" (N.Y.), Sept. 12, 1807, 3 pp., 8 x 12 1/2. To noted Dr. Charles Smith, New Brunswick, N.J. Integral address-leaf, manuscript "12." "...The report of my ill health is untrue...I can walk up our long hills more expeditiously & with less fatigue than any man in N.Burgh. I never have been a day unable to attend to my business since I arrived here from Jersey. In the month of Aug. I booked nearly $300 worth. I have this day charged 3 patients, & visited several that were in a state of convalescence. Dr. Burch, Mr. DeWitt's son-in-law is here. He did me the favor to visit a patient with me that is singularly affected. It is a ch(il)d of Capt. Griswold's of 9 m(on)ths old. He was attacked with the influenza which seems to assume the form of Pleurisy. The symptoms were extremely urgent. I bled, blistered, gave several emetics, & the fever & cough continued, together with an apthous affection of the mouth... larynx, if not lungs. Demulcents 'soothing ointments], nauseating med. & at last calomel were administered with affording anything but temporary relief. A few days since I was alarmed by the appearance of a large tumor that filled the space between the sternum & inferior maxilla, which appeared to be of the Emphysematous kind...Air could not have escaped from the lungs, as respiration was perfectly free & easy...Dr. D(avis) also happened in town & visited the ch(il)d with me. They approved of my treatment...Doubtful whether the patient will recover. I have another interesting case of a burn from gun powder. Capt. Solomons, who commands a coasting Schooner belonging to this place was taking in a cargo of G. Powder at W(est) Point to take to Wilmington...Some damaged powder was burned from his toes to his hips in a most shocking manner. I was for a time doubtful whether his life could be preserved. However as his habit was good, by the u(se o)f Turpent(ine), Linseed Oil & White Lead, the parts destroyed sloughed off & the ulcers assumed a kindly appearance. I have lately made use of nothing but a wash of Lime & water...He will soon be well...Judge Gardner started last night for Baltimore...He is a warm friend of mine & moreover has told me I might have his Daughter & I rather think I shall take her - but not in less than a year...She has gone to Catskill & Troy...Be a little polite to him. You will find him to possess a strong but rather uncultivated mind...Dr. V. Kluck remains at his lodgings patiently waiting to attend any in distress...." Two words affected where opened at red wax seal, some soiling address panel, light wear, else very good. A splendid medical letter.