Letter no. 1 - Letter no. 35

Dear Weekes I suppose you begin to think I have almost forgot there is such a place as Hurst, at least that it is now inhabited by any person I know; however, I assure you that is not the case. I am sorry to hear of the Death of poor Tom Wadg's Wife; it must be a great loss to him; the Puerperal Fever is certainly a terrible disease, and since I have attended Dr. Clarke's78 Lectures on Midwifery I have often wonderd it does not oftener occur, owing to the very improper treatment which the old headstrong Nurses will often persist in, in spite of us.I am ashamed to say I have not called on Grace79 since I received yours, but hear from Dick8o & the Dodson's81 she is very well; whom have called on me 3 or 4 times. I am happy to hear of your success in Midwifery, a bold stroke! Dr. Clarke recommends us in Puerperal Convulsions, which may happen either before or after Delivery, during the fit to throw cold water in the face so as to give the sensation of drowning to the patient; to open the Temporal artery, & to give as large a dose of Opium as you dare to give; Dr. C. informs us by this mode of treatment that out of the last 13 cases of true Puerperal Convulsions he has lost but one Patient; but at the same time recommends Delivery immediately. You must well have an Idea how extremely busy I am now, but just to give you an account of it, will farther convince you of its reality, I will begin with the morning before breakfast at which time I have to visit several patients in the Hospital, at 10 0 Clock Dr. Roberts82 Lectures on the Practice of Physic & Materia Medica, at 1 0 Clock we go into the Dissecting rooms to hear Demonstrations, at 20 Clock Mr. Abernethy83 begins his Anatomical Lectures; dine at 4. half past 5 Dr.