WCP5605

[1]

Hurstpierpoint.

Jan. 16, [1866]¹

My dear Hanbury /

Many thanks for the kind promptitude with which you have attended to my wants. The hamper arrived yesterday morning, & I have taken a little of the Vichy² with every meal since. The Usquebaugh³ is only for emergencies, in the fainting-fits, when it is said to be the speediest reagent. I had no idea it would be so difficult to find, but I suppose one might easily make it by ^infusing steeping aromatics (of what class?) in cognac.

I have been so far better since Saturday that I have had no more shiverings. I have been reading up a little on Atonic Gout⁴ — does not hold out much hope of a complete cure in the stage at which I have arrived. You recollect poor Schomburgk⁵ at Bath — well I am of about the same colour and consistence as he was — a little better in my limbs, but weaker in the chest and spine. It seems that one phase of Atonic Gout is attended with spinal symptoms very much like those I detailed to you lately as my own experience, which seems to corroborate Dr. Radcliffe's suggestions that the spinal weakness was "owing to some special exhaustion".

[3] Many thanks for the Red Bark⁶ — one half the dose you assign is sufficient to sustain one wonderfully through the day, but my doctor tells me that it does not conduce to removing the gouty element from the blood. Stimulants it seems are proper only when combined with aromatics, tonics and astringent. I feel sure I have been for several months, taking too much stimulant, & that by advice, for everyone has insisted on the neccessity of taking brandy or wine to fortify the feeble flickering pulse — your Dr. Taylor especially.

I find I can take the Vichy cold quite well, the gas liberated from the carbonic acid in the stomach causing an immediate sense of heat.

May I trouble you to send me another 9 lb packet of chocolate? I have consumed a good deal lately, having lived a good deal on that and beef-tea.

I enclose a cheque for the amount I shall be owing to you, minus the Vichy, for which you do not say how much I am in your debt.

Wallace is coming to H[urst]p[ier]p[oin^]t next Monday, to stay a week. A lady⁷ is the attraction, & I trust it may this bout end in a wedding.

Yours ever truly | Rich^d Spruce [signature]

D[aniel]. Hanbury Esq.