_I Have seen Dr_ Friend’s _Letter to Dr_ Keil; _and Dr_ Friend _I understand has been so kind as to consult you, and several Others in the Case; whose Judgments, though I have all due Regard for, yet in the present Circumstances (though I give the Preference to_ Unction _in some stubborn Cases) I dare not encourage it in this: For my Reason at first, for beginning so mildly, was, that in this uncommon Case, we might by degrees, make some Judgment of the Effects of_ Mercury, _and then proceed accordingly: For had I not been prevented by the Accidents you have, by Dr_ Friend, _been acquainted with, I should have been very desirous to have gone at least to the Heighth mentioned by Dr_ Friend. _But since I find, by encreasing the Quantity of the Dose to a_ Scruple (_of which he has taken four_) it has not affected the Glands at all, or made him Spit the more; but his Stomach is much more oppressed by it, with vast Quantity of Phlegm, viscous to a degree I have not met with, and gives him more than common Disturbance, not to be relieved but by often Vomiting, to which purpose the_ Turpith, _has answered very well for the present: My great Fear is, all things considered, that if I should proceed to_ Unction, _and it should produce the same Effect, that it will be too many for him. If my Fears are too great, my more than common Concern and Friendship is some Excuse for me; as also I desire it may be to You, for this tedious Account from_, Sir, Yours, _&c._ Feb. 22d, 1718. J. RUSHWORTH. I not receiving, in due Time, an Answer to this, and the Patient being reduced to a great Weakness, and to so great a Disorder, that he could not bear Talking to, I writ these few Lines for him to consider of. Dear Sir, _As your Case now stands, I must own my self a Coward: Though Dr_ Friend _is much mistaken to think I am either unacquainted with, or fear the common Accidents that often arise in Salivating: But that irregular and uncommon Effects are, in extraordinary Cases, produced by_ Mercury, Hale’_s Case is to me a sufficient Precedent, of which I have formerly told you the Particulars; and though your Friends in Town took no Notice of the unusual Disorder in your Stomach, yet I should think myself Inexcusable if I should not. And if, upon using an_ Unction, _any irregular Ferments should again arise, weak as you now are, I should dread the Consequence. In these Circumstances, I think it most prudent for me, to advise you, to let what is already taken, go fairly off, and if you find it not effectual, you may with much better Prospect, when you have Strength, begin_ de Nova, _by_ Unction, _and have an Opportunity to have it done by the_ infallible _Men_.