[An eighteenth-century doctor in the Scottish Borders. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('<J?> Abernethy') to 'Mr. Hood', with suggestions for the treatment of his 'Ague', and reference to Lady Mackerston.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, despite slight singeing to extremities. He is sorry to hear of the recipient's 'uneasienes', and that he is unable to attend on him, as he is 'oblidged to goe sie the Lady Mackerston's daughter in the afternoon'. If he can, he will wait on him on the following morning, as he suspects there may be 'a tendency to your Ague'. He continues: 'I think yow may cause take some blood upon the account of the paines & to manadge your Selfe with weake things as in a fever, make also use of the ground Ivie tea for drink, or a very small Liquor which is all till meeting'. At the foot of the letter is a note, also in an eighteenth century hand, reading: 'To Mr Hood, Father of Mr H of St<?> from Dr. Abernethy of Dunn believed to be the Abernethy afterwards of London'. Reference to the author is to be found in 'An Album of Scottish Families 1694-96' (Home et al., 1990) and the Kelsalls' 'Scottish Lifestyle 300 Years Ago' (1993).