June 7 1855

Today been to see Mrs. H. Ravenscroft I have been attending on her since the 24th May She thinks herself something better, but her cough is still bad, She has a sucking Child on her, and I am affraid there is something of a Consumption on her though she began like a common cold, we have had more rain since the first of June then has fell in the same leangth of time for 12 months through teh winter but very modrate falls of snow and all this Spring very dry, there will be but short crops of wheat in these parts, on the first of June it began to rain and we have had some very heavy showers since particularly last night with very heavy Thunder, it has been very cool for a few days, and I had no thoughts of Thunder last night, today been snowing with high wind from s. w. Corn on the mountain not more then 3 or 4 inches on an average Grass looks well and has all spring but rather late. Dave Babb took the horse the last time on the 28th day of April 1855.

June 17 1855

Just returned from Mary Dixon She has been laboring under a Rheumatick affection, I have been treating her with Dovers etc. to act on the Skin and giving 20 shocks of Electrisity in a day and She is much better.

June 20 1855

Today I am very poorly from a bad cold, my lungs very badly inflamed I took some Greens pills which relived me a little, but the did not act on the Bowels properly, I then Bleed and took a dose of salts, but I dont feel like riding I should have gone to see J. J. Long and a woman on Cabin Run, but I will, put it off till tomorrow, I am much better today---June 22 I am starting to Cabin Run in the morning and for Rormey, it is my

court, and there is a young man to be examined for Shooting a David Ornduff and it being Quartrly Court I may have to stay for several days, July 7 Since I wrote last, I was at Romney and on Cabin Run Saw Mrs. Umstot found a bad case, yet I think there might be something done for her, the cheef that is the matter is an Obstruction of the Menses, they three Doctors that has been attending her, have in my opinion been looking at the wrong end, but she is so far off I dont wish to have anything to do with her.

The case of young Mc Donnald was brought up, an to every appearance must be guilty of the charge against him, yet he pled not guilty, and his Councel defended him very manfully he was put back for trial next Sept.

I have been attending on Mr. Brants famaly for this 10 or 12 days they are in a Strange situation, Pop from her old disordered Liver, Susan had the Chills to every appearance Charles was bad Bill also, Bill with a sore leg, I cant say what it is, Brant was sick one day, but they are yesterday all got better, I had fully intended to have attended on his famaly has Usal, and made no differance but if he Brant should act the hog I will act the Sow.

July 12, 1855

Today been to see Pop, found her a good deal worse then when I saw her last, complains badly of her Side and Shoulder, her lungs are in a bad state, with discharge of blood and mucus, I think she is in a very dangrous way, I should have seen her on the 10th but the river was so high, we have rain almost every day, it must be bad on Small grain cut, and it is very brittle wether for harvest, this time last year we were all dryed and burning up.

July 22 1855

Yesterday went to see pop, She has and is yet in a very bad state, she had been very bad, since she got her bed, her liver has been so bad and such distress particularly in the Sholder, but I give on Mercury for Sevral days and she got quite clear pain, yet I wished to bring her closer to Salvation before I Ventured on anything like Tonicks, but she insisted on the Nitric Acid, I give it for a few days, but she soon got has bad has ever. the pain in the side and the Sholder, and all on a Sudin the feet began to Swell, and every appearance of Dropsy, I instantly began with the Squills Digtalls and Calomel, and yesterday the Swelling left her feet.

July 25, 1855

Yesterday went to see Pop found her still very poorly with Strong pain in the Sholder and Side, no farther appearances of Dropsey as yet, but I cant see how she can escape, for the same cause is there has was at first, though I think not so bad, but she is very weake, and her breathing very laborous, it will run her hard if ever she gets over it, I ought to inform her father of her Situation but neather she nor Brant ever mention him her father, nor any of her relations not much Better can be expected of Brant, for his Saw mill and his other worly concearns, Absorps up all human feelings, and I think she is little better Though she has made a proffison of Joing a Church called U.N. Breathern in Christ, yet has never had very nice feelings of humanaty, and like a great many others, what few human feelings they maybe possesed of, they too often loose them, for I have often seen in my wary mortal rounds, that the moment, this professed Christianty slips in, humanaty Slips out, this and other things has created many a hersey notion on these modren, and in short all our professors of Chirstian Churches, for instance what can this Chrisian be, he thinks nothing of kiping the New testement, and pergivinghimself on the same for instance, See the Words case in Kentucky, 8 men out of 12 Jurors, were proffesors of Christian Churches, and See there Verdict, if 12 Jews of Good Standing for the City of N. York had been Empanneld and had been Sworn in the Hebrew manner, Vis. on the lives of Abram Isaac and Jacob and they had taken such and Oath, to return a true Verdict according to Law and evidence, these 12 Hebrews would have died and rotted in that Jury room in Lousvill rather then have returned such a Verdict has those 12 Christians did, the whole world is convinced that these 12 Christian Jurors are a forever Dammed set of perjured Devils, and yet they swore on that Sacred Testement. Somethings rotten in Denmark.

July 31, 1855

Yesterday when to see Mrs. Brant and my wife [Elizabeth Barnhouse Green] went with me we found her poorly, I am almost ceartin that there is water in the Christ, what is termed Dropsy of the Chist, she labours very hard in her Breathing, She thinks that her Lungs are loaded with phleam, there is no Cough, yet there is that laborious Breathing she had a very hard spell of Breathing while we was there and I thought she would have died, yet I let on not to be alarmed, I give her a Vomit of Ipecac, but she could not take it only in the form of pills, which made it some thing longer in acting, it acted well, but I did not see that she expectorated any from the Lungs, which a Vomit is almoast sure to do, nor did she breath much better, I have head from he today, she is still very poorly, but she sent me work that the Vomit had relived her a little, I sent her some Syrup of Squills combined with some Paragorick, and I tried some Tint Digitalis some twice sinc which I think helped here, but she declared it hurt her Eys, but I think if I had never told her it might do the like, she would never have thought so, I added to this mixture of Squills about as much of the Tink Digitalis has would be about 10 drops to a teaspoonfull for her pulls is Strange I can scarce feel it in her wrist yet by applying the hand over the heart, it beats 120 to the minet but I think this case is a bad one, and it is my opinion, she cant live long

Aug 31 1855

Pop is still very poorly have not heard from her for a week, I have had two patents of Billows feaver which has peeped me very throug Isaac Liller, and Marteens Daughter, Lillar is got better I think needs nothing but good nursing, I am going to see the girl to day she was very bad day before yesterday, we have had a very wet time for the last month past, and I am told on the Branch they are geting very sick

Sept 5 1855

I have just been to see Lizie Marteen, yesterday I though she was some better the night before that, I have Blistered the right Side and give Mass combined with Dovers pullv. one pill every two hours, she appeared to be much better yesterday though the pulls was 120, I thus left her a powder every two hours similer to Dovers except in place of Sulp. Potash, Niter Potash, and about one gr. Serpentens pullv. to each powder, about 4 o'clock this morning she become quit faintish the mother stated, and they though she was going to die, I get there at One O'Clock to day, she was in a very strong persperation, pulls the same as yesterday I left her about 2 grs. Ipecac and 4 or 5 drops of Lauchinun to a dose to be taken every two hours to keep up the presprelation

Sept 19 1855

Since I wrote last Lizy Marteen died I was much surprised for I never took as much pains with any one in my life, Today is very rainy and I never felt it colder in my life for the time yesterday was very warm.

? 1855

I have been a long time since I wrote last there has been little to do in doctring, Pop is and has been very poorly all Summer and has been badly neglected, at this time she is very poorly and badly Salavitd, if I had her more handy I think I could soon bring her about, Brant is still driving on with Saw-mill preaching praying & etc. Susan Yoakiny for him at these meetings, Pops Situation down there is a very bad one she has got herself there and no one to blaim but herself, she never grumbles and I am sure I will not grumble for her, but I know if she had such treatment from he she would have cursed all Blue, but she has got Religon and thats a fine thing.

? 27, 1855

Yesterday went to see Pop her sallavation is stoped on her and the liver was begining to swell as befor, I commence with Mass quinine with some little Serpentin a Vis. two pills in a morning, and in two or three days three pills in a day.

Jan 7, 1856

I have little to do in Docrting for a few weeks Pop is still very poorly and not likly to be much better. The whole of the Brants famaly appear to be frends with her, in fact she has been sick I sinc last June it is reported that the have been consulting the Oracles of the Spiritual Rapers and there is a report that the neighbors that the Oracle have told them that She will or would die about Christmas, but Christmas is come and gone and She is till alive, James was down yesterday 8th and she is very poorly complaining of her head and mouth, Brant wrote to me wishing me to come down as soon as I can, he things that if her Natrul concearns has brought on might be of benefit to her I don't belive in this for it she could bet better on her other complaints she would soon recover them concearns, and I have often seen bad work in attempting to fetch these things about. 9th last night was the coldest night these has been since the 3 of Feb. 1836 very night 20 years this morning at 6 o'clock the Thermoneter 16º below zero in 1836 it fell to 15º below zero in January 1834 it fell to 18º below. this fall there was great conjecturing about this winter a good many predicted for a mild winter and the fall was very beautufull and modrate. This puts me in mind of 1812 and 1813 I recolet it well, for it was the winter that Buonepart invaded Russia, and in England it was very fine till near Christmas, but the Snow began to fall on the 6th of December and was a very hard winter through out all Europe. and the winter of 1813-14 was the hardest and longest winter I have ever known and it only set on St. Thomas day 21 December and never was a thaw till the 15 day of April 1814, so if there would be any conjecturing predicting what kind of a winter a mild fall oftenen brings a hard winter then a tough fall but there is no Rule for conjicturing a winter, to night at 6 O'Clock Thermometer 4º below zero and the ink freezing as I write and only 7 feet froma large log fire.

11th of January yesterday morning the thermometer was down to 10º degrees below zero, this morning at 4º below and the wind more modrate, through this whole Storm the wind has been very high from the N.W. wich has made it very sivear for man or Beast.

Jan 20, 1856

To day Snowing agan there has been three very fine days but if perhaps may blow up a N.W. in a day or two

February 17 1856

Yesterday it Snowed all day more or less and on the river it rained but in the night it snowed faster and the wind rose higher the wind this morning very high the Snow drifting very much so that the roads will be quite impassable again, they have got so that people could get about a little, this morning as disareeble as we have had it this winter, we have had a very Stormy winter, such not the Oldest inhabatent can remember for Snow is full 20 inches deep of an average I jonjecture from its depth in the woods, neer open grounds are drifts that will be till April, from every appearance, this cold set in on Christmas night and not more then three or foure day, but what has been exceptin cold which is 50 days at least, when it will modreate no one can tell, for at this minet Blowing dredfuly and prehaps this night will be a very cold night, On Thursday 14th the Termometer fell to 14º below zero, --- Pop is very low and I have not seen her for a month it is quite past riding but Dr. Gerstell is or should be attending on her, have not heard from her since Tuesday 12th.

March 1 1856

Today it is snowing very fast when in the E. it snowed on Wednesday about 3 inches, but there has fell more Snow today then fell the whole day Wednesday, we have 20 inches of an everage of the Old Snow, if it holds on a few hours longer, we must have very high waters if winter breaks up suddingly this has been the longest storm I have seen since the year or winter of 1815 and 1814 or 1813 and 14-- but which of the years I have forgot, this storm commenced on Christmas night, which is 67 days, and likely for 30 days more, this must bring Stock feed very Scarce.

March 6 1856

Today went to see a Child of Joseph Boslys that had got a Bean up its nose, I got it and while there such a Storm of wind and Snow I never saw, this morning the Barometer fell 1/7 inch in an hour.

March 10 1856

This morning very cold thermometer 8 below Zero. Snowed all day yesterday.

March 12 1856

This morning something finer in the Sky then yesterday. Yesterday one of the worst of days I ever saw in deed it was not much behind some of the worst in January and Feb. yet not quite so cold but the Thermometer stood 10º below fresing all day with a very high wind from the north west nearly west, and it snowed all day, besides the Snow blowing, the drifts are far worse then ever, and the roads must be quite impassable, the food is becoming very scearce in the mountain, if this wether continues a few days longer there must be great damages by floods for hear in the woods on an average with us it is 30 inches deep of snow, and I am told it is far deeper west of the state there has been many lives------

March 16, 1856

Yesterday I was to see Pop she is now in the last stage of Dropsy, she was 2 months and no doctor had been to see her this winter has been the hardest winter I ever saw and the river was in such a State I could not cross it, Brant thus employed Dr. Gerstell, and he had only been once to see her in 8 week the Dropsey had set it yet it appeared to advance very modratly and he Gerstell paid but little regard to it, about the 16th instant he and I meeting he not knowing her former state of her Liver and Brant not giving him the particulars he had not a chance of acting as he ought to have done, when he saw her situation on the 16th he was very much alarmed, he proposed Taping but she was quite oposed to it, he then proposed a plan of applying Nitrc Acid and Manatick Acid deluted with water, then sprinkle powderd Squills, this plan she could not stand at all, Gerstell then went to Baltimore and neglected attending on her as he to promised to do till the wether and road go as I could travel, at this date Gerstell had not go to see her, I had proposed on the 16h to try my plan of Vinegar Squills and claterium with Nitri Potash, but he wishes to try his planes.

March 25 1856

As above mentioned but on the 20th Brant sent for me informing me that Gerstell had not been to see her, and that he was in Baltimore, I then went to see her on the 21st and found the water had accumulated very much since the 16th. I then mixt up the following Vinegar Squills 2 ounces nitre potash 2 dram extract Elaterium 4 Grs. Aqua fount 20 dram a teaspoon full every hour or as often as the Stomack would have it, but she could not stand more than one teaspoonfull in 5 or 6 hours, but the famaly not caring anything about giving the medicine she was quite neglected, this morning I sent James with an ounce Vile of tint. Digitalis to give 15 drops twice or three times a day, but I am afraid she is a gone case, fore she is a dreadfull sight, and it is impossable for her to stand it more than a week, except there is some means of the water being drawn off.

March 28, 1856

This morning was snowing, Blowing and very cold Ther. 16 degrees below the freesing point, how long this hard winter will last our wise Augurs cant tell, wild geese has passed over a week since I think they may come back agean, for the Lakes must be still frose over, there is begining to be loude compliants for feed, and it is time Oats should be sowen, adn yet 2 feet deep on snow in the woods.

March 30 1856

This morning Ther. down to 8º above Zero, and yet not more appearance of Spring thence it did in January except when the sun dos hapen to shine, it has a little more warmness then in January, this is almost equal to 1814 in England, winter never broak till the 15th April.

April 1 1856

Very Clean and Cold, a very cold night and morning Ther 8º there is not more prospects of this winter breaking then in January only, we know it is the first of April profet has been saying a month since that winter could not last but a few days, I don't know how many days constutes a few days, but 31 days has gone since, Oh, this man loves to pry into futurity, and he ought to know no more than a "man's a fool and God is wise" we have a great many beings wishing to see into this futurity, and peopel who profess Christianity, who will belive in Gipsys, forturne tellers and the very off Scourings of Earth, and these same profesors with belive on the Conjectures of the wether in the Almanack, yet there is not such a School in all onlighned Eurpoe that teaches Astrology, or it ther now an institution of Astronomy that teaches anything of the 12 Signes etc. but yet in our community these profesors belive in these Almanacks Signes I belive on the New Testement if the Almanack misses (which often has it) they will excuse for it or say nothing about it, if it the Almanick hapens to hit it, they sing its praises and its wisdom fare more then, Christ makinng Clay and anointing the Blind mans Eyes, and restoring him who was born Blind.

April 3 1856

Yesterday I went to see Pop, have not seen her Since the 24 inst. but I had sent Jim and Jack once each to take her medicine, I had heard from the Boys that the water was coming from her and the swelling going down, but I found it to be all fals, the Belley might be a little liess, but very little, and the legs and thyes far worse then on the 24th and the Liver had begun to swell on Sunday the 30th of March, what I am to do with her now I can't tell, I have been accused of using Mercury and afecting the glands, and how this Liver can be reduced with a mercural course I cant tell, her mouth is not recovered from the last effects of mercury, I think there is no prospect but Death, and I guess her ;ast bereaths will be a welcom sight to the famaly at large, for I never saw such careless, and even rough conduct in a famaly in such a Circumstance as hers; they laugh and hollar as loud has at any weding, even Brant himself allows such proceedings, I have never seen the like, on at Gapsey Harves(Harris?) when that poor unfortunate girl was dieing, these methods only convinced me the more that the moast of them are only a set of hypocrits, or at least divested of anything like humanty, but I have often thought that when this profeed religion got into an individual, 99 cases out of a 100 that humanty sliped out, the two appears to be in oposition to each other, and why I cant tell, for according to my vews of Christianaty Christ taught nothing on princable humanty, but if anything like torture can be invented, give it to a Methodist, for nothing less then a Methodist could have thought or have invnted a plan like one I knew of, of one of these modorn Saints, this was he could not beat his horse to his Satisfaction The horse was too strong for him, he then Blind-folded the horse, his plan succeeded so well that he could give his horse a beating to his Satisfaction, and vile drunken reprobate could hardly have invented a more acute method of cruelty, and yet this was one of these, and preacher too, he ought to have lived in Spain and Portugal in the days of there Inquisition, Oh, what a valuable aquistition he would have been to them, if there is anything like Retribution for this world, won't such like get it, see Psalm first but our modran devines says it all for the nex world so they have a far longer credit against retribution.

April 19, 1856

Today we have planted or Sowen 80 of my English peas about 60-8 inches appart, I have only 2 pods Sent me from England, one with 5 peas in, the other pod with 6, they grew very well but something got at them and eat 5 or 6 pods but I spread a net over them, to prevent the birds from distroying them, we have from the ll pease I think betwix 400 and 500, I have given Perry Paugh and Mrs. Hartman 40 peas each, last year we had planted all our potatoes by this time, but the ground is very wet and not fit to tuch, weather with plow or spade.

April 20, 1856

On Wednesday I returned from seeing Pop she was very poorly I havent seen her Since There has been a week of fine and warm weather but yesterday it turned cool, and to day been Snowing all day off and on, I have been to Church to day and heard a Great Sermon preached by a Mr. Garner from the VIII chap of Romans, which if it is really Orignal, cant leave any doubt but he must be a Good Orator but, I was informed he preached the Same Sermon on N. Creek.

April 26, 1856

On Monday 21st instant the snow fell 10 or 12 inches but was not very cold just froze a little, the whole of this week been toltarable fine, yesterday at ten O'Clock the came to inform us of the Death of Pop, and it was near 9 O'clock last night before she was bured, She is out of her pain and trouble and out of the way of Brant can mind his work and fill his apointments without any trouble on Pops account.

May 5 1856

This morning a very keen frost, ther is something wonderful lucky, or unlucky, on the 5th of May 1821 N. Bounepart breated his last, admids a dredfull storm, did great damages on the Island of St. Helena, I think some other great Tyrant died on this day. On the 28th of April we planted 8 Rows of potatoes, and today we wish to plant some of my Seedlings Mountaineers I know nutting about the Signes, we would have planted them long ago, but the wether has been so late and wet.

May 7 1856

Yesterday a very wet day and cold, some little snow with it and to day very fogey or a strong mist.

May 30 1856

This morning Snowing a Strong Snow Storm

June 14 1856

To day Old Jacky Bosly dies been very poorly for two or three weeks, every thing this spring very backwards nothing grows, of any account

July 17 1856

Been a long time since I wrote last, had very little to do in Doctring, some few cases had colds with very much imflamed Lungs, Old Mrs. Dixon has been very bad, they thought it was all over with her but I treated her has if she had been young, or I thought she could have gone but I bleed and followed the other depletions plan as if she was 40 years old and I had no reason to regret my plan

July 25 1856

Tomorrow I start to Romney and it is very dry no rain for two or three week and I think every thing burnt as bad as in 1854, there will be no Oats Corn nor anything else the small grain is all got in, and I suppose a tolorable crop, but what will become of us I cant say, only one year since the other dry year people are getting in there hay, there will be no spoiled hay like there was last year, in the spring it was so wet and cold that nothing grew, I never saw such a backward Spring in my life and now all is burning up.

? 17 1856

I have not wote for a long time, we have still a very dry time very little rain or Snow, and the streams are all very low, if we have no rain we shall have bad times to get Grinding, the whole county is very healthy, little to do in way of practice,

? 12 1856

The wether is very fine or very changable, we have had some very hard freezing and the streams are very low and frose over, I am now teaching school and I have had some doctring to do which has keeped me very busy

? 21 1856

I left Martin F. Swiers yesterday morning, she had a miscarage the night before, she had been complaining for 7 or 8 weeks and no doubt the child was dead at that time, for when she was delivered it was in the moast putred state I have ever seen a case in my life she flooded tolerable much but in the morning she was better then I could expect.

I was intending to start to see Mrs. Arnolt but the wether was so bad and my mare was so smooth I could not Venture on her, I came home and I was called on to see Mr. Wiseman, he had been at our house about 5 o'clock in the morning, and talked very strong about 10 o'clock they came for me, and I was astoneshed to find him quite out of his mind and had ever appearance of Mania, I bled him, but before I took a half a pint of blood, I then give him 4 pills (green) and they took no efect on the stomac, the should have sickened him tolerable but they had little effect, he had not had his bowels opened for two days, so at 4 o'clock in the evening I give him a large table spoonfull of Castor Oil combined with 2 drops of croton Oil, and about 8 o'clock he had a discharge. Jack has been over to see him this morning and he appears to be more in his right mind, but Jack is not much of a Judge, it is such a cold morning that I do not like to start so early, but I am going in a few minets.

January 19, 1857

Today one of the coldest days I ever met with, Mr. Wiseman had got better from his attack on the 20th ult. but he has never been quite right and for these few days back, he has been getting worse this morning I am going to see him, I was to have gone to see him yesterday, but it was so cold I could not go, the Thermometer in the morning was 8º below zero, and was below all day, with a strong high wind from N.W. this morning a little calmer yet very cold. I am going down to N. Creek to see C. Grayson and Mrs. Arnolt.

February 4 1857?

This last 4 days been very cold on Tuesday 3 the Thermometer was down exactly at Zero in the morning and on the 2 a very stormey day, on the night of the 2 Jake Kitsmiller the say was frozen to death, at all events I supose is dead, on the 3 Susan Kitsmiller died.

March 30 1857?

I have not wrote much of late, this winter has been very cold one, there was not as much Snow as last winter but the cold has been very intense through not by the Termometer as low as last winter by 4º, yet there has been more pottatoes frose there has been for many a year and at this time seling at $1.50 at the depot. I have had very little to do in Doctring H. Ravenscroft has been very sick of a Rheumatic affections I attended on him at first the same way as I did 17 or 18 years since but the women had got it into there head that Dr. Wright could do wonders, they then called him in I had been on the Dispenses plan, trying to throw it as much as I could to the Spin, for these rhuematic affections will have there time to do all we can, and like the Gout the chiefly danger is it falling to the Stomac or Lungs, so my plan is to peep it out by sweating , etc. Dr. Wright tried strong tonicks and the Cold

May 5 1857

For several days I have been very throng, the measles is very bad on N. Creek, and John Dixon went to the Depot, and while in the Store There was a Boy of Isaac Lillers Sitting by the Stove and he was very sick of Measles, and give it to Gray, and a Devil of a time I had with him, I could not see but what he was doing well, but he groaned and prayed, and nothing would satisfy him but to send for Dr. Wright and so he did, and Wright could find no fault with my treatment except he recommended for him ot have cold water and cold drinks but he got worse and I fell too my treat him in my own way, I fixed up 5 pills of Mass Cubanth comp. and Julap. and the acted well on his bowels this morning and I called agean at noon to see him and he wants to eat every hour as he has shown a great deal of Hypocritical fooling all through the course of this measles, he wanted to find some fault with my treatment, so that he could have some excuse for a dispute, he would appear to doubt every dose of medicine I give him, and kispute its effecy with as much impedence and gravitity as if he was a great a chemist as Sir H. Davy, I would rather never attend on him again, for I would rather attend on a real Ignorant man then a conceated fool.

May 11 1857

I was to see John Dixon this morning he is a good deal better Dr. Wright was to see him a few days ago adn stated he had taken the Typod feaver, in my opinion there was nothing more than eating too much, and drinking too much cold drinks, and we agreed on a ceartin mead moad of treatment, and it did well, yet he Gray was hard to convince that he was anything better, he still wishes to find some fault in my treatment, this morning I called to see him he was doing well, I was called to see Solomon Bosley the whole family are all down with the measles.

May 14 1857

Yesterday come from H. Kitsmillers, got a fine girl Gray is still poorly got feaver yet, and as big a fool as ever.

May 15 1857

Yesterday I went to see Conly Fout and to have a Consulting with a Dr. Lupton of Romney, he decleared that the Bone of the Spine was not affected only the Catralidy cannot in my opinion be affected unless the bone itself be affected in Short what is Catrlidj but Soft or Elastic Bone and it Grows from the Bone and closer it gets to the bone and harder it gets, in Short the Carledj grows out of the Bone, I have been today to see J. Dixon I think he is now on the mend yet he is very unwilling to own to it and his pulls is not so good as it was yesterday Tomorrow I intend to try some little tonics I will try the Muneatick Acid.

May 18 1857

Today I came from John Dixons, he sent for me on Saturday evening he was very poorly I stayed with him all Sunday and till this morning on my way on Saturday I bethought me that we had been treating him quite wrong since the measles left him, from the time he was first taken his Urine was in a bad state but thought it meanly the height of feaver, but he began to complain of such a pain in the back, and in his Groin that I found it to be a inflamation of the Kidnes, and sence I have Cuped him and given him mild drinks such as Barley water Dandelion Niter and etc., Urine is got much better, but he is still as damed a fool as ever, one minet he is dieing the other quite dead the next telling some damed lie on himself, in short I am quite sick of him, .....This 18th day of May is very cold and while writing it is snowing and cold wind blowing from the N. E. the Boys planting corn at the Jes. Sharpless place sent Dick home too cold for .......Strong wether

May 19 1857

Last night it quit Snowing about 8 o'clock, and began to rain for three hours, if not longer, but when I wakened at 5 o'clock it was full 3 inches of snow, and still snowing very fast from the N.E. at 7 o'clock in the morning was full 5 inches deep, and if the ground had not been so wet, I think it would have been a foot deep. Yesterday every fool was sheering sheep I guess the Sign was wright in the Almanic, but I think if they don't get their Sheep into some Shelter they will find the signs very wrong. It is astonishing to see a Enlightened country like this to believe in such like stuff, it is chiefly among the German race, and some few of the English currupted with the damned Superstition and Nonsence, if there was any foundation or truth to be found in it, we might think something of it, and what is the moast Strong, the Stongest Teachers of Christianity are the most guilty of this superstitution and foly, I think ther is many of these Bigots profefesors of what is called Religion guilty of this nonsence then are the non proffesors and if I am not much mistaken, a man can not believe in the New Testament, or in other words they believe more in the Almanac then in the New Testament or the old one either, the Methodist and others preach up and condem what the call the Supersitition of Romish Church, but I have never seen or heard of greater folly in this Detestable primetive church then these worshipers of John and Charles Wesley, but I have often spoke in this Journal of this Christian hypocry, I have often wondered how this Superstition crept into this country, I see of no other way than from the Dutch hence comes that the Royal family of England are such, particularly George the Third and George the 4th the former Idot the other Gluton.

To Measure an Acre by Jas. Dixon

The following moad of measuring an Acre is not quite correct, but so as to ascertain and Acre within a trifle.

For an Acre

12 Rods on the 1st side, 13 Rods 2nd side, 12 rods 3rd side and 13 Rods 4th side; the Circumference of an acrew 825 feet or 275 yds, or 206 feet 3inches on every side

May 22 1857

I was down to the depot yesterday to buy some fish Herring are $9.50 per Barrel, I was to see Mrs. James Barricks she has improved since I saw her last for more then I could have expected yet she has some of that dry cough remaining, but I think she is on will get better John Dixon is still very poorly yet, but I think he is getting better I give him about 10 grs of Calomel 5 or 6 grs Heysomus to see if it will make any impresion on him, he complains of a fullness in the Bowels, and a Sickness on the stomack, and a pain the groin and down the left thigh

May 25 1857

To day I have been to see John Dixon he is still compeling very much but I cant see but what he is better, I am still giving heysomus and to night I combined with a little morphin and directed him to drink freely of Gum Arabic,

On my very horse I gathered a stong plant to me, found it growing on a high rock, at first I thought it was one of the Passion flowers but when I got home I thought I was mistaken, I think it belongs to the Monoecious Class, I wll try to give its General Characteristic as well as I can, but I have studied Botny so little for my (?) years.

Patels 4 somting like Stemans through flat broader at the top similiar to the resplendent resplended at the bottom with many summits.

Specifick characters. Patels 4 of a light purple oval shaped the flowers pending. Leaves 3 on one Stalk plant creeping leaves in whirls and the flowers spring from each whirl

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There is a more correct way of measuring an Acrew thus 69 on one side 70 other 69-70 yds the other

July 3 1857

This spring has been very cold and backwards, this day I have been to see Ric. A. Dixons wife she is very poorly has been going downwards for two or three years her nathral courses are quite out of order, and something like Dispepy her stomac quite wrong, I left her some Green pills and in a day or two, to take some of Claytons powders for her stomac, and common pills to see if I can get her courses come on at their regular time, she complaines of burning pain in her stomac and under her Eyes very much swelled, and at times her feet, Mrs. Martin F. Swines if very poorly of prolassusletra, and I have not got a Glass Pesserys I have sent for one to Doct. Snyder.

July 4 1957

Today been to see Mrs. Swines still very poorly and today we have sowen about one-half of the Turnip patch field with Buckwheat, and we expect to sow the other part on tuesday 7th and we have the ground all ready in the field by the house for buckwheat and Turnips except by the fence, and Rye is quite green yet and hardly out of Bloom yet it is quite late it will be August before it will be ripe.

July 7 1957

I went yesterday part way to John Abernathy but a Shoe came off my mare and I turned back and stayed at Jennys Spring all night, we have a very cold and wet summer so far, this time last year we was burning up.

July 20, 1857

Today we sowed a patch about a Rod squair called Hoaks patch, as it was all in readyness we thought we would try as I don't belive in this particular day of the month 25 of July for I have tested their Signe works 20 years ago, and agean in 1855 with potatoes all to be fools nonsense, and we sowed our main patch on Wednesday 22 of July 1857, but as I have tested all this foolry to be nothing, excepting as Mr. David Gibson belives, this I think is all the Good in the signes work that is thus, those who belive in Signes execute their work at a given time the sow, plant, cut timber, make fence at there Signe times so of course they are up with their work at something like the proper time, for take it for a rule that early Sowing planting often is the best, yet I have seen this too Early or when the Ground is not in proper order miss or come out bad, then I have seen 10 or 14 days after (quite out of Signe) do well. See my nots for April 10th and 14th 1855 all that planting I tried to do as mych out of Signes as I could and the planting I did on the 10th 14th all did well, we began today out potatoes in or on the day I returned from Court July 28, 1855 and we used they every day that summer out of 1/2 of a Acre, and we did not eat potatoes Slow, for they was our constant food for 10 of a famaly, no farmer not even old Jo. Dixon had as good as we had with all his signe works, but at this time I should have liked it better if our James had sowen our Buckwheat a little thicker, we sowed some on the 4th of July and on as we could get time till the 17th perhaps this thin sowing of Buckwheat will do the best, but I always belive in Reason, we have spent a good deal of hard labour in our Garden, but as it was a meer Bog or Swamp in April, we could not Expect to raise much from such a pice of Ground, our Pease do little or nothing and the Onions not much particularly say they Cabage will never have and hearts or heads.

? 8 1857

I have not wrote for a long time I have been very throuh in Doctring for a week or two, with a Boy of Richd. A. Dixon, something of a Rhumatick the wether is very changable sometimes very cold and at this time very warm, the Thermometer in the house 76º every body butchring hogs and if the weather dont get colder there will be some spoiled pork I saw Mr. Bing Rodruck yesterday she has a mild absess I lanced it.

? 25 1857

Today I have been to see Mrs. David Shields and it is quite a modrate day, she got her bed about 7 weeks ago and was quite well for two or three weeks but her Nurse left her to attend on a Big meeting and then she had to go to work and a bad cold took her and a Voilant Cough, and with the cough and work and exposing herself brough on a prolapaus Utru I have applyd a Pessero, and I guess she will get better soon There has been great excitment with the running away of Wm. A. Duling and his wife and famaly, I have been attending on little Thomas Dixon of a Rhumatic affection and it appeared of a low grade he is got well of the feaver and his quite well except his legs, on I think is something of an Absess, I expect to have to open it tomorrow to Dec. 31 I came from R. Dixons and I opened his other leg today I opened the first leg on the 25th and a great deal of watry fluid came from it, and the same today with the other leg but not quite so much, Yesterday it rained nearly all day this morning began to snow from the N.W. and a bitter cold it is.

?27 1857

I have been attending on Mrs. Streets she has been fluding very bad for some time and fully expected the Prolopsus Utru, and so it turned out to be, there is hardly a woman now a days but is eather afflicted this way or an affected Liver, there mood of Dressing I am convinced is the princable cause of it all, they ware 2,3 or 5 peticoats weighing 10 lbs to 20lbs supported or girthed round the middle by small Strings, thus friticion constatly on the surfice of the Liver, and at the same time, forcing down any of the abdomal Orgins, particularly the Utra, hence so many cases of prolapaus Utra, and desordered Livers, I have expostulated with the fools but to no affect, if fashion should come about to go with the people with the back or fore side naked, would, would, be gladly embraced particularly amound the Saints of the Meathodist Church for at this time the go with there Brests Swing loas man like an Old sow, the a decent female woman, all to have a great rump.

We have had one of the mildest winter I have seen since the Winter of 1827 and 1828 last night and for several nights past been quite warm in bed and even sweating, this morning a little more Cool than for a week, my Thermometer been out all night and Stands at 36º above zero, I knew a winter in England, I think it was 1813 on the 12th of that Feb. I found an English Robins nest with 5 eggs in it and hatching, in the next month March still warm, and the Typus feaver brook out through all Lancashir, and made dreadful havock particulary in large towns, it extended all through Great Briton and Irland, in London was dreafull I hope this warm winter will not affect us the same way, I have just mentioned this Reference sake

Jan 11 1858

Yesterday was very cold and windy day went to see Absolum Lillers wife, and been there to day, this morning the Thermometer fell to 2º below zero 34º below freezing

Feb 6 1858

For Several days been very cold, yesterday went Richard A. Dixons Thomas was something worse Bouth is legs are very sore, and one has three bad holes in it, the other has to, but the one with 3 holes in has been Swelling in the knee, and I am affraid will end in something bad, there has been two or three small pices or shell of the shin bone, I am washing the one with Creoasat, and Bathing the kneewith Vinegar and Myrh linnument, wether is very cold, the Ther. stood this morning at 3 below Zero and at One O'Clock stone at 12 above zero.

March 8 1858

Yesterday went to see Tom Dixon think his knee some little better yet it is very much swelled, I am affraid the leg will or the knee will be trouble to him Since the 5th been very cold on Saturday 6th Ther. stood at 4 below Zero, yesterday there fell an inch or two of snow, this morning cold and very stormey, I am quite sick on my Stomack this morning March 9th

March 17 1858

I have been very throug in work James Dixon was taken with pneunia on this day week and I never saw a case so Voilant and progress with such rapid Strides, though I took full 3 pints of Blood within 12 hours of the attact and cuped him purged him modratly, and Blistered him yet his lungs bled very much

April 16, 1858

I have not wrote for some time I have not had a patient for 14 days our parts are quite healthy and I am not much Sorry for I have lost Old Ball (his horse) and nothing but Put to ride, they the Dixons wishes me to get a horse by Subscription but I dont think it a just think to farmish me a horse by Subscription for James Dixons near Carelesness or his famaly but if the subscription for if paid by the Dixons own famaly, it will be well enough, but if James Dixon is to be helped out, or his famaly helped out by others he James Dixon will never reform his bad conduct neather in his horse Stables nor farm he has a famaly that will run through the income of the best farm in Hamsphire County, and would be no better than those that are now his Stabls, fields, his house are all of one pattren, if there ever was a man in the Hen-pick Club he James Dixon is a full member, for it is my sincear opinion that he is Ruled by his wife, and if there is a Devil, The Devil rules his wife, they whole famaly is a compleat extravagant set, Richard Dixon lives well and keeps as good a table as the best of the land and I fully believe he R. Dixon keeps his table on what Ja. Dixon famaly waste and Distroys, I have wrote out a Subscription paper to offer to the Neighbours but I am afraid they the Neighbours will Reject it, Yet John Dixon wishes me to do this, I suppose I cant complain if I get another horse as good as Old Ball, though She must be over 20 years old, yet I would not have taken 75 dollars for here I was Safe when on her night or day Rough or Smooth Roads and She would work at end in everything.

May 16 1858

Today wet we have had nothing but Rainy wether for 4 or 5 weeks and there is no Corn planted in the mountain, nor any Gardin done, those who have Gardined on the Creek, have got vegetabls tolarable good, we have not had such a wet Spring since 1838 and then followed the Dryest Summer was ever known what this season will be I well be known at the end.

May 21 1858

Yesterday I was at Frederick Nethkins John was very sick of Pnumony last week Eliza was sick of the same, John discharges much blood and is very bad with pain in the side, I bleed him twice, and cuped him he was some little better when I left him, it is very Strang wether, at this time there is some little snow flying, I am afraid there will be sickly times after this worse then we have.

May 24 1858

Today I came from F. Nethkins, three of them very bad, Ann has taken a relaps I think it will run hard with her. I could not get to Bleed her, we have been planting 7 rows of pottatoes, it was the (ground) in nice order this morning but our folks neglected the opertunity and about noon it rained heavely and the ground is very wet, how they will do time will tell.

May 25, 1858

This has been one of the wetest day there has been for 4 or 5 years I expect to hear of very high water.

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