Boston July 19, 1755 Dear Eunice,

Arrived safe, convers'd an hour wth. Doctor Sprague concerning you, & find that I had a tolerable Idea of yr. Circumstances. I mention'd Dr. Hearsays1 proposal of frequent Vomits. He approv'd it as a direct method for Health, sd. he always had propos'd & directed them till severall that you tooke working strangely on you, made father & others determine you should never take another. He says & I have read, that in your Case, vomits frequently act wildly till by little & little being steadily persu'd the stomach recieves them more kindly. As for ponderous Medicines against wch. Dr. Hersay objects as being too powerfull, he observes that at the same time you take them you take yr. Electuary to strengthen Nature to bear them, & it is agreed by the best writers in yr. Case, that they are the only effectual method of Cure. As to yr. Diet, he agrees with wt. little I have read, that Milk is the best Diet, & that your Stomach, however Nauseous at present might gradually be brought to bear it, for besides the benifit of frequent small Pukes, there are certain things made use of wch. prevent the ill Effects of Milk on the Stomach, such as Peony Water, & some Volatile Spirits &c. if I mistake not. I would have you consider these things but in no shape perplex yr. self, & if you should come to Boston soon (as no doubt your curiosity &c. will bring you to see Sister who yesterday PM was safely delivered of a fine Boy) you may consult Dr. Sprague on these matters & practice accordingly. Mean while I hope you will use all the Exercise you can contrive & bear, devote yr. self to a Renagado Life, & if you make Poetry, make it on horse back, that so Pegasus may transport yr. Body as well as yr. mind. I set out about noon for Lancaster, hope to hear your welfare by every Opportunity, but be sure persue this Equestrian Exercise so much recommended & for yr. Encouragmt. I'll present you with a pr. of Spurrs.

Upon the whole, the Dr. declares yr. circumstances no ways dubious. ‘Tis a Chronical Disease & Time must cure it, however neglect not to286adress the Great Physician whose benign Influences saves the Soul as well as heals Bodily Infirmitys. In the Confidence of whose Mercy & Power, the sincere Worshippers may rejoice, tho' the Elements fight against them. I am yr. Brother & Freind,

ROBERT TREAT PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Mrs. Eunice Paine att Weymouth"; endorsed.

1.

Ezekiel Hersey (1709–1770), physician and founder of the Hersey professorships in medicine at Harvard (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 8:432–436).