Note on letter received 5 February [1798].

Sorry to have not written since 2 November 1796; informed by Bracy Clark that Davall is in bad health. His move to Norwich successful and happily settled with wife and no children. Has been in Wales treating [Mariamne] Johnes' diseased spine. Working on "Flora Britannica". Anxious to send Davall continuation of "English Botany". Has been studying [William] Sherard's [(1659-1728)] herbarium at Oxford and can now settle 'Mentha' to his satisfaction: gives botanical characters of 'M. arvensis', 'M. gentilis', 'M. sativa', 'M. pulegium', and thinks there are no real differences in species between 'capitate' and verticillate'. Publishing a volume of "Tracts relating to natural history"; contents. Lady Rockingham often asks after Davall.

In red ink at top of first folio: "Mr Davall's last unfinished letter".

Revived by Smith's letter of 17 January 1798. His health totally destroyed, intellect affected and faculty of speech impaired at age of 35 by "frequent attacks of one of the most terrible" convulsive disorders. Fears he was too copiously bled on 2 February 1797, losing 150 ounces between that date and end of March and blisters applied to his leg caused violent cramps and tortured his nerves. Attended by a too young doctor trained at Pavia who thinks his ills come from an obstinate constipation caused by too frequent use of purgatives. Has taken a deluge of 'Valerian officinalis', 'Cinchona officinalis', flores zinci, 'Moschus', 'Viscum album', and since 10 January wholly on milk diet.

Letter unfinished and unsent, enclosed in Henriette Davall's letter of 10 October 1798 informing Smith of Edmund's death.

Relieved to receive Henriette Davall's account of his health. Thinks Davall's disorder is debility and prescribes Peruvian bark taken in peppermint tea, does not see the benefit of a milk diet and recommends plain light meats, warns against too debilitating a plan in case it causes apoplexy, fits, and fainting, not to load stomach with physic or food, take light plain broth or a little solid meat and keep bowels gently open. For uneasiness in head recommends bathing legs and feet in warm water before bed. Suspects he has taken too much physic and has too "Sangrado-like" a doctor [sangrado, Spanish for bleeding].

Lists his plans and destinations for year. Continuing work on "Flora Britannica" though currently cannot do more than five plants a day, just through 'tetrandria', grasses very troublesome. Sorry Davall has not received "English Botany" 42 to 66 he sent with letter of 2 November 1796 listing his reasons for moving to Norwich - domestic comfort, cheapness, command of time, and good air, his health much better. Offers to send "English Botany" and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".

Note on letter received 7 May [1798].

Glad that Bracy Clark is with Davall, has received full account of Davall's health and symptoms in Clark's letters. Concludes that Davall chiefly needs repose. Reassures Davall not to worry about the fate of England, "every nerve will be exerted in National defence", he relies on "our navy, which has always saved us". Would like to send his just printed "Tracts relating to natural history". "English Botany" to be doubled to twelve plants a month. Extremely busy: his plans for next few months. Requests seeds of 'Pinus cembra' for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert as he is writing on the genus.

Note for Bracy Clark on second folio, cropped.