Vienna febr. 10th. 1784
This will be delivred to you by my good friend the Prelate or
Abbe Nekrep president of the oriental College at Vienna a
gentleman much estimed here, a very good scholar and philosopher.
He goes for a few weeks to Paris in pursuet of knowledge
regarding his profession, and as his particular pride is to know
you, I take the liberty to recommend him to your acquaintance.
I recieved your lettre of the 23th of Jan. and have recieved
allso a Satisfactory answer of Mr. le Roy.
Mr. Nekrep was one of our philosophical society for constructing
the balloon, of which nothing will be done, because the Nobility
has not furnish’d us with money enough to bear the expenses.
however I feel myself reather happy that the undertaking was not
encouraged; because I foresaw to many difficulties, danger of
miscarrying in the execution, and after great peine, care and
trouble to find at last my reputation in danger. your answer has
confirm’d me in the resolution of giving it up.
As Abbé Nekrep will only stay a few weeks at Paris, you may give
him, when he gets out, what ever you may have at that time to send
to me, a lettre, a pamphlet, american news papers &c.
I have also given him an introductory lettre to Mr le Begue and
Le Roy. I am with great respect Yours obedient and humble servant
and affectionate friend
Verte
It gives me peine to be informed that you labour under a stone in
the bladder. However, as it gives very little trouble, you have
the best change that it is one of that sort which will not produce
much peine.
There is indeed very little to be depended upon true
lithontriptics or dissolvents of the Stone as yet tho we doe not
dispare to find out such a remedie those which have given the
greatest relief are lixivium alcalinum or soap lie, quick lime
water, and soap. Doct. Chitticks medecine was soap lie. Sir John
Pringle had some confidence in it, but prescribed often only
Spanish Soap made up in pills and taken two or three times a day
at a dose of 20 grains or a scrupul, increasing the dose to three
dragmas or half an ounce a day, and even more if the stomach could
bear it. it has often the effect of diminishing the symptons and
preventing the growth of the Stone. I saw several times a very
singular effect of water impregnated with fixed air by Parker’s
machine. they trink of it at least a pint a day. this water is
only an artificial seltzer water, and this last may be taken
instead of it. it is very innocent and can doe no harm if it does
no good. I publish’d a pamphlet upon it during my last journay
being in London. it was a latin translation of Dr. Hulme. you have
a Copy of it which I presented to you. the titel is Nova tuta
facilisque methodus curandi calculum podagram, destruendi vermes
... is printed at Leyden 1778. I would not advise you to change
materialy your diet as for eating and drinking, so that your
appetite or digestion may be hurt by it. in your age nothing is
more essential than to keep up the good disposition of the
stomach.