Journal of Dr. John R Green, then living at Sulphur City (near Elk Garden) then Virginia.

Jul 3 1853

Today went to see Mrs. Perry Paugh, went to see her about 10 days ago, taken cold not been right for three months, ordered to take one pint of Blood, giver her some light opening medicine give a teaspoonfull of Tint Genciam and two Aloe pill, saw her again on Sunday last still no better complains much of her back and across the Utrus , but little or no feaver on her, give her 1 doses or Madders tea, and to day no better yet laid on a tartar plaster on her Small of the back and give her an order two pills each night of Rhu. Aloe & Myrrh.

And today went to see Cather Paugh, he is in a very strange way, something of Exanthematus , a constant burning of the skin, yet the skin is very little near through sometimes a finer near rash appears on the skin and a few times there was a patch or two with a little water in them, Doct. Clapstine tried to cure him of this complaint but failed two years ago, then he tried ( Doct. Gerstell and he worker with him for 8 or 10 months but he had no better success) I started with him to day, give small pill of Ext. Connum maculatium or Cienta with about a half a gr. Cal. in Each pill, this for 3 days, then to purge off on the 4th day then for 2 days take a teaspoonfull of F. Sulfur and C. Tartar in Molasses three times a day, my Object is to ihrough it to the Surface, and when it is out to rub a little presipate Alba with a very small quantity of C. Sublimate, how I will come out with him I know not, I can but fail as the others done.

Sept 4 1853

The case of Cather Paugh is on the mend as fine as could be expected, yet I am affraid it may return if it should not, it has far easier then I expected, if it should return I shall follow the same course of treatment, only continue it longer. I am f ollowing on now with good living and vegetables Tonicks, if it will show itself it will be by the good food and the Toniks

Mrs. Perry Paugh is no better, I have done no good as I can see of, but the neighbor women don't scruple to say she is Incienty, I am leting her rest for a week or two, or till she gets worse.

Nov 1 1853

Since last Mrs. P. Paugh is pronounced to be pregnant. Perry Swains loudly at her fooling him. Cather Paugh is still bad at times and upon an average is better yesterday I left him pills composed of Connum Maculatum and Calomel takes them for two days, then 3 days flowers of Sulphur and Cream of Tartar and bleed him yesterday I am in Strong hopes of bring him about, I have been to see a Mrs. Rawlings not much better I think her case will never be much better, went to see John A. Rabricks wife pretty nigh getting her bed.

Nov 13 1853

Today I am 53 years old and today 19 or 20 years ago the Stars· made there great shooting on the 9th inst. James Dixon and Acquilla Sharpless went to Rafter's mill, and on the top of the mountain there horses ran away broke the wagon and the wagon run over Sharpless chist and I have been attending him ever since, I have had a rough time with him at Grays Jim and Cray laying fast asleep. I bleed him twice that day and keeped his ribs constantly bathed with Volital Linement he is very much hurt yet I think there are no bones broke.

4 1854

I have not been buisy for several weeks, and I was teaching school for Mary Dixon and I have had a few little cases, and some fine women, Perry Paugh's Wife, Joseph Bosley's wife, and I attending Bing Leatherman's wife she has been laying in bed for 3 years or more, an infection of the Spine, how I will come on with her I can't tell. Should have gone to see her today, but I called to see old Thomas Jones, found him very bad, and I think it will be a doubt if he ever gets over it an infection of the kidneys, or perhaps more of a Diabetos, has been 8 days with·his bowels closed give him an Injection and left. N. C. Smott attending to him, have to go to see him tomorrow, had to see Wallis on the pike.

Date ?

Thos. Jones is still no better been 10 days with his bowels closed, been giving Injections of various kinds but all to no benefit, I think he can't last long. Robt.Wallis is better today, went to see him on Saturday night last and today I found him at first very poorly, with an Inflamation of the Liver, they had been thinking it a Pluensey, I blistered the side give Mass and in broken doses to act on the glands and some dovers, bleed him and Thomas Jones dead.

Date?

Nothing of any importance taken place in my practice, met with some few cases of bad colds and something like Pluensey Punumory etc. but I am informed the Scarlet feaver has broke out on New Creek and two deaths, am going down today if I can, I have a bad case over in Maryland a Mrs Bennet, Gerstell has been at work with her last Summer and fall given her up for a bad case, he thinks it a Complent case of Consumption, but I think it not a proper case of Pulmony Consumption Though she has a very bad caugh etc. but 1 concurred with him treating her for a disordered liver I shall come out with her, time must tell, I left some pill Mass & Calo. Comp. for three or four days at a time then some space of time with pills Sulp. Ferre and some Syr. Squills and Elet. Parrogorick to modrate the cough, in a few days will apply a Tartar plaster to her side and brest, but she is suckling which is against her very much .

Apr 5 1854

Today I have been to see old Mrs. Joseph Dixon. She has been very poorly for some time of a bad cold. Settled on hor lungs but at this time got better and I have been to see a child of Jos. Dixon which is very bad appears an Inflamation of the Lungs, give it one green pill, expects to have to go to night again---April 8 to see Cathrean Sharpless today very poorly her Bowels in a very bad State, give her Hen bain and opioum, and some Dispepsey powders, think the Colombio in them would correct her Bowels and the soda and Capcecum would prevent the Sweling of the Stomack and I give her some hop pills, and the child of James Dixon is and has been very bad of inflamation of the Lungs, how he will come on I can't say, but I think he is a little better this evening. J.Dixon's child is still very bad yet and if he will live or die: why the doctors did not know.

Last night met with a very lucky incident, went to see Mrs. C. Sharpless and found her in full labour no one there all gone to- meeting etc Lizzy Dixon and myself had like to had all the work to do ourselves but Mrs. Mary Dixon and Jake stoped in just in time found a fine girl.

Apr 16 1854

For a week past I have been very strong in William Harvey at Jno. Dixons very sick of a Nervous Feaver on his way to Cumberland, yesterday he was much Better, and he was wishing to go on to Cumberland, but if he had I think it would have killed him for today Easter Day and two inches deep of Snow, and Still snowing and a large sleet . Peach trees in bloom a poor prospects for Peach pies and Peach Brandy. John Dixon been rather poorly I guess he is getting better for I have not heard from him since Friday, Frederick been very poorly of a Bowel complaint, and one of his of Bad Colds, James Dixons youngest child very bad of inflamation of the Lungs think it will get better.

Apr 27 1854

Today very warm this morning and last night very loud Thunder, I was affraid it would turn cold, but today 4 o'clock thermometer stand at 83º   in the shade. Should have started to see Mrs. D. Leatherman but some Domestick concerns stoped me and I have a son of Cosin Edwin Ridings and another young man called to see me on the way to Ohio, fine growing weather today. Since I wrote last I have had one case of a child bed, doing well, I can't get over the river should go to see Mrs. John Barnet.

Apr 30 1854

Been to see Mrs. Barnet had been a good deal better, but the night before she had been worse and complaining of a choking something like an Hysteria case, yet her liver is a good deal better yet not well, I have been giving her mass and Calycinth for three days at a time then pills of Sulp. Ferre, Sent her some of the same today with some Tint. Apothecy ?? when the choking comes on, and the weather is extremly cold, for three or four days was very warm attended with heavy Thunder, on the 27inst. begun to turn cold and yesterday morning a little more snow and very cold last Evening.suffered in coming from Claysville Lane, very night as bad as any time this winter a great many small birds are dieing such as Robins, Pewees & others. Scarlet Fever very bad on New Creek Polly Grason expecting yesterday to loose a child, there has no cases appeared on the mountain as yet, and I am far from wishing to see it, and whole family will be liable to take it.

May 1 1854

Today been working at home, planted some Early-York Cabage, and sowed carrots etc.

May 8 1854

This is the coldest Spring I ever saw for this last week frost even freezing every morning this cold is not confined to our mountains alone, but report says all through the Southern States, even at New Oreleans, the Cotton Crops very much damaged I supose all our fruits in these parts killed. James Murphy made oath on one fox scalp. 1854. John W. Junkins made oath 7 red foxes and on 5 Gray foxes May 10th 1854.

May 14 1854

For two weeks I have not had a patient there is very little sickness about, on New Creek there is now and then a case of Scarlet feaver, I think there has been 8 cases there and foure deaths Dr. Wright in attendance, on the 11th instant Miss Marian Smoot died only sick 4 or 5 days Wright came to see her the evening before her Death, some blame on N. C. Smoot for delaying ? till her death, but if she choaked to Death, and he could not or would not break the throat, she would have been certain to have died, I have seen cases where there has been every appearance of death, yet if the throat burst of itself or was operated on, they would or have recovered, for if the throat is not broak, the patient literaly choaks and Death is the consequence. I don't know that this was the case for I have not seen one of the cases.

May 14 1854

I am affraid this Dr. Wright is not a practical hand in this Scarletian, for I remember well in 1831-2 down in Frederick Co. Va. the Doctors there knew little of the treatment only from Theory, and when I mentioned braking the Tonsills they hooted at my idea, but subscuently I tried it myself and others too and with success, there idea was, that no absess could form matter in so short a time, but it is a fact, and in foure days I have seen matter flow from Tonsills, I think the matter may be forming before the patient feels anything particularly wrong, I know nothing of Dr. Writes moad of treatment, but in 1832 1 followed the moad of Dr. McGwier of Winchester, and did not loose a case after opening the bowels modratly, I give a gr. of Turpies mineral every two or three hours, not to vomit, but to act on the glands, to bring on a slight salvation as quick as possible and 2 or 3 grs. Dovers powders every two or three hours till the skin is properly open, I am far from wishing to encounter it, but I think I should follow something of the above moad of treatment.

May 15 1854

It has been rather cool for two days wind S. S. today very warm wind N. W. I have heard that another of Mr. Smoots girls is sick.

May 20 1854

Today I have been down to New Creek, and they have got the S. feaver very bad, Sol. Bosley two of his children down one of them very bad the oldest, a daughter of N. C. Smoot very bad I think will run her hard, called to see her today Dr. Wright attending, one of Rener Likkens children taking a relapse. One of the Strangest Springs I ever saw, down off the mountain Oaks in full leave, on the mountains I have seen Red and pin Oaks with buds not more than 1/4 and a 1/2 inch long and white Oaks leaves only about an inch long.

May 30 1854

Today been to see a child of Geo. Barraks very sick of typhoid feaver and so is win?? Hoak (Gray) boath very sick Gray is very bad and has been for 5 days, I have worked faithfull with him I have given mercural purges, Bleed him, then with mercural purges and Dovers, and with Chapmans Nitar pullv. composed of crude Nitar Cal. and Tartar these Chapmans pulv. do very well, only they act too much on the Bowels, the dovers act too much on the Brain, yesterday put 3 Blisters on him, one on the Back between the shoulders, the others on each thigh, to day I think he is a little better and to day been to see Mrs. Jesse Sharpless, she is very poorly of an milk absess, and of a bowel complaint, I lanced her brest today, run a great deal of matter, On Saturday May 29 was down at Claysville Mr. N. C. Smoot has lost 3 daughters and a Boy and another Daughter was laying very poorly, I did hear on Sunday last that the Boy was dead, but I doubted the truth of the report, and today I was told that the Sundays report was not true, how it is I can't say, nothing of a certainty has been heard since I was down on Saturday, Smoot has had a very heavy loss in his family, but as bad as things has been there is people ready to make bad worse.

June 11 1854

Since I wrote last I have been very sick, and Hoke we was boath taken with Pnumony Hoke was very bad for 4 or 5 days, I bleed him and blistered with strong mercural purges along with Diphonestis. Just as he got a change .for the better, I fell down followed the same treatment only I had to bleed more, I bleed 4 times before it would quelce --the Scarlet feaver is raging on N. Creek, yet, but not so bad, Smooths little boy still very bad the neck or throat has broken outward I heard yesterday, how he will termenate not known. Clark Dixon taken. very bad yesterday, the lungs heavy loaded, I bleed him and left him little better I want to see him but it is a wet morning my old woman brought a fine boy 6th instant. [It was his son Edwin Peter Green]

June 13 1854

Today been to see Geo. Barracks twice and to see Mrs. Jesse Sharpless, Barrack's C is in a very low state he was taken before I fell sick and was neglected, he is little more then Skine and bone, yesterday I give him about 5 grs. concrate 5 or 6 grs. mass conbined with 4 or 5 grs. Dovers pulv. my intention was to check other medicine, and to open the Skin, it acted on the skine finly the first time the Skin has been open since he was taken, and this morning had a discharge the largest I ever saw from so small a child and he appears a great deal better, yet he screens and throws himself about bad but not so often as before, today I layed a large hop poltis on the belly and he rested well for some tine, tomorrow I will give Elex Vitrol if he rests well to night. Cathrean Sharpless is much better, I give her pills of B. Mass Hyosismus and opioum, give two a day, they have done more towards correcting the bowels then anything I have given before, it appears that this Bowel complaint is common through the west particularly to strangers, I thought from the first that the Liver was out of forder for the stools at times was quite of a white colour, sometimes of a green slim coat, I had tryed Colombo and. other medicine is to correct the bowels all to no purpos. James Green [his son] went to work Monday 12th day of June for John G. Brant.

July 11 1854

Since I wrote last I have been very strong in some places, two week since Mrs. George McCormick was in labour found a stomach presentation and the women thought she could be delivered without force, so they sent for Mrs. Warnick she tryed for a whole day but she had to go to extreams but was delivered and I supose doing well.

Last week Pop had an Abortion, had been very sick of a complaint, and from Bleeding and Strong medicine brought on this abortion, she is but in a feeble State of health, and complains of much feaver and headach, I expect she has not done ?--? headache and the Liver Complaint, but I will try to remedy this liver if I I can in a day or two, the Scarlet feaver has stoped on New Creek Smoot lost 4 out of his family, and today there funerals are to be preached at New Creek, Old Mrs. Dixon has left old Grays walked as Jasper Kitzmillers and her 78 years old, the weather hot and dry, if we don't get rain in a day or two, it will be hard times, for everything is burnt up, I was down on Beaver run on Tuesday last, and I never saw things so dry in my life, I saw Mrs. Leatherman, no better as yet, there is a few cases of flux off the mountain but supose not to be bad, I look for it as soon as rain comes, or some other maladay but anything rather than flux.

 July 22 1854

It is still very warm and dry no rain yet everything like corn and pasture burnt up, a good people has been depending on this day as it is the first day of Dog Days, and yet no rain, I have never known it so hot since I come to country, the hotest day I knew off the mountain was 96º but it has been as high as 98º on this mountain, and that for many a day.

 July 24 1854

Yet very warm, and no rain not been so dry since 1838 yet I am informed in some parts it is quite seasonable even in the county down on the North river it is very wet, but all our rains this season has been in showers & quite partial,. Wm. Pool was very sick on Saturday, and his wife was taken sick on Sunday morning, have not heard from them since, on Sunday yesterday I went to see Daniel Henderickson he is very bad of Punumony, stay all night this morning not any better as I could see, left directions to have him bleed and a blister put on his side, going to see him tomorrow.

July 26 1854

Today I have been to see Mrs. Ebenezer Kitzmiller She is very bad with a dropsey, commensed with her to day and Mr. Thomas Wilson is very poorly he apears to have something like a Appoplect concern on him he is very stupid and dull, I bleed him & give him 4 green pills.

August 4 1854

Today I have been to see Mrs. Kitzmiller and old Mr. Wilson, I am doing as well with Mrs. Kitzmiller as I could expect nearly all the water has left the belly, and today I give her blue mass and Quinine, but Mr. Wilson is very bad and has lost the use side of one side intirly, and his speech he has no Stomack to eat anything at all, I have give him very little medicine I have been thinking electrifing him, but when I left today he apeared to be geting worse, and I think he will not last long except some unforeseen chang takes place with him, Old Jo. Dixon is still very poorly and I think he is not yet well, he is the most contrary old devel I ever had to contend with.

August 17 1854 

The Dysenty has broke out in our Neighbrood but not very bad as yet, I think if rain should come it would be worse, the Scarlet feaver is Still going on New Creek, one Case at Sol. Bosleys, Still very dry not a Rain for 3 months except Thunder Showers and then very light in our Neighbrood though in some parts was very heavy, yet this drought is very general throug the U. S. as far as I have heard of .

There has been some more Shooting of cattle in our Neighbrood. Wm. Junkins & Vanmeeter each one Shot through the horn but not killed, I supose this is for a warning that there will be something worse to follow if they don't keep there cattle up.

August 22 1854

I have nothing to do at this time all my petants have got better. Mrs. Wilson is tolerable well recovered, but I am looking for 3 or 4 old women's Scraps perhaps this week.

August 24 1854 

Still continues dry, never was known so dry we have had no rain for two or three months, this dry spell has Burnt up everything, about Ridgville looks bad, even Bushes & trees are dead and dieing.

September 21 1854

It nearly a month since I wrote before, and yet very dry we had little rain night before last, but more more then 10 or 15 minets the nights begining to be very cool, through the fore port of this month very hot, on the mountain the Thermometer Stood day after day 98º the Shade, and off the mountain 102º it was not just a hot day or two like in other Sommers, but was day after day very hot for week, all streams are very low, some quite dry that was never seen dry before, and moast every Spring has failed more or less, some quite dry, and some hardly fit to drink there has been a great dread of Sickness in the country, but it is we may say, quite healthy there is or has been a few cases of flux, and at this time I have two cases of Bilious feaver Jesse Sharpless and his daughter, Jesse has been very bad, but more from a Damed fool, then a bad case, he is I think geting some better, as the rain has keeped off now till late. I am in hopes it will be a tolarable healthy fall.

September 27 1854

Still very dry the nights cool & days hot, we are in a more healthy State then may expected to be, if it was not for the low state of all the Springs it would be quite healthy, but moast every spring is dry or in a bad state, Our James came home last night wore out with dry living, he has not Scaraly seen a pint of milk except when at home dry meat & bread for 2 or 3 months, and nothing but River water to drink. Brant has got is mill on hand, yet, and I think will take him till Christmas before he sets it under way. Jesse Sharpless daughter has been very low for 3 or 4 days I saw her last evening, expect she must be dead this morning.

September 29 1854

Jesse Sharpless girl is dead. I am attending on a boy of Alex Harvey of flux it is a bad case and I think he will die I can't act on the bowels as I could wish, and do all I can his are not fully acted on.

October 15 1854

Today for the first time came a Smart snow storm.

October 16 1854

Yesterday we had a little Snow for the first this season. I am attending on a Boy of Wm. Fouts very bad of the Typus feaver . Should have gone to see him today but, I have to go to see a Boy of John Murphy's don't know what is wrong 'with him.

November 10 1854

I have not recorded any for a long time I have had very little to do in my line of bussiness now and then one we have a very dry fall the waters are very low the rivers I could very near step across and not wet my feet, and at this time we have to water our few things twice day, and people can't fInd water to scald there lean hogs they are killing, this day week foure or five inches of snow fell, in the evening the wind rose very high and such a storm that I never saw for so long, the Thermometer fell to a few degrees above zero, our County is and has been very healthy all this fall, today it is quite modrate and some little rain, but I am affraid the wind will rise, and come cold again, if we have not a thaw with some falling weather it will be hard to get bread-stuff for the streams are all too low to grind at the mills. J. G. Brant has got his Saw-mill finished ready to saw but has no water, he is going tomorrow to try to sell off all his stock and depend on his Saw-mill I think he will repent his course he is talking of Sawing 2000 feet a day for runing the mill Day & night, and Calculates of making 100 Dollars per month clear of all expenses fine business $1200 per year.

January 1st 1855

Today I am going down to Junkins mill to hear from a Geo. Barnet. I was to see him on the 29th ulto.something like a plursy, I blistered and give him greens pills it to hear from him to day perhaps will have to go, for 2 or 3 months past very little sickness, may we have as good a year as this has been in health, but it has been a very dry summer and very little crops of any kind, it still continues dry to this date and if it was has hot, the ground would be has dry.

January 11th 1855

I was yesterday down on the river at Brents Saw-mill a David Abernathey cut his foot very bad his big toe nearly off, was just starting to make a roof on the sawmill and was cuting the rafters, when it hapned, Brant has got his mill to run and they say it goes well, yet every body thinks that Brant cant make any great things out of it, time will determin, Brant is still a wild dreaming projecting mortal, some think him a Soloman, some a fool, his wince is a continued Buble, he belives in dreams, he also thinks he is ordained by God to be a Shining light to this world but if he had been a chosen light to act as an agent for Gods purposes I would have thought he would have chosen a man of more wisdom than Brant, but some times good comes out of foolishness and bad.

January 18th 1855

Very little sickness for some time two cases of bad colds with a kind of inflamation of Lungs, but of a very mild Characture, soon got well, on the 15 January Mrs.Bing Junkins brought fourth a very fine boy. I have a case on the Creek of an Affected spine, the oldest son of Wm. Fout, there are to joints of the back very bad, I am using counter iretants by blistring etc and I have been giving pill of Myrrh and Iodine, they appear to agree well with him, I have been expecting some roots from England, but the weather is so cold I guess he Cosun James cant take them up, I have had two or three News papers from England latly, giving a full discription of the Rusian war, it appears the Allis have got themselves into a tough job, and it is a doubt to me if the Allis will ever take Sabastipol, or if they do the Rusians will anoi or torment them from the back part of Sabastipol, we are hourly in expectations of news of an attact. On the 3 of Feb. was the coldest day I ever rode in, there was such a high wind, I went to Wm. Abernathey to see his son David, by some means inflamation got into his foot and a large blister came above, & a sad concearn it was, I poultised it in the cut put a little R. Banks I stade with him two days the swelling went down appeared to be doing a good deal better, the river is frose over and of course no sawing at Brants, but he and James Davis and our James getting saw-logs, fine for hawling logs, Brant still Thundring & Preaching, he declares the Devil resided in a north section of Heaven before he rebiled against God, (and I sopose he think it was a Cold country, and the land poor and Cold, and as this Almightys district was in a more southern and Conginal climate, he the Devil envied the Almighty of his possions and made war with this almignty, and if he the Almighty had not had a good Jeneral Michel, the Almightys existance would have been in Japordy, or thrust out of heaven like the Devil was.) The opinions of Brant are quite of Dreaming wild Characture, my observations within the (brakets) they are of my own, I never heard him say the like, but I have often thought he had such Ideas, and has Pope says somewhere in his Esae on Man, this man, forms Ideas of heaven according to what he sees of earth, for no Doubt, a king or some of the Vast and wealthy Ideas are, of Cristal Palasis, Streets paved with Silver gold and diamonds. The wild Indians can have no such Ideas, because he never saw or knew them hear on Earth, his the Indian believes on Rivers full of Fish, Woods full of Elk Bares, Bufflow Deer etc. and has Pope says, his fathful Dog his companion. My reasons for forming my opinion of Mr. Brant is, I am confident he is been expecting to plunge into riches wealth and a great Land owener, he Dreams he is to be a great orator or Speaker, not from any aquirement, but from some gift of God, he gets very much offended if not a full attendance or audiance, his very wild Ideas in What he calls preaching attracts more for Amusement & Curosity than from Any Theologean Doctring, he will Stamp, fome froth etc yet in what we may say in the Craft or improvemet of preaching, he has not improved himself at all, only he gets up into the pulpit with more the anticks of a fanatick then an improved Theolegan, I asked him "Why St. Paul excelled all the other Apostls" his answer was the gift of God, Paul's education, his knowledge of the world, and of man & mankind , was nothing in St. Pauls qualifications, all was the gift of God, it would be a think impossable to dispute, in St. Paul's case, but I am confident no Thelogahan at this day, only advances to one hight--viz. a little more Stamping, more wild gestures of his face and Body, without a knowledge of the world, particularly historical, Yet M. Brant I think lives in hopes, he will be a bright and a Shining light, and become Vastly Rich. "Hope springs etearnal in the human brest, Man never is, but always to be blest." And when all these earthly hopes fail this man he has one consulation, is, in the life to come. I sopose when this last hope fail him, is when this man commits the fould deed of Suiside, this is my own opinion of such. I may be wrong. I shall stop my comments on Mr. Brant.

Feb 17 1855

I have been Teaching School this last week at Mary Dixons and there has not been a call to the sick for 10 or 12 Days the whole county quite healthy never was known to be so healthy, I am told in Romney the Doctors have nothing to do, not Enough for one, and there are three.

Feb 27 1855

The wether Still very cold this month has been very cold there is 5 or 6 inches of Snow yet, on Monday 26th yesterday, the thermometer down at 0º with a Strong wind from N. W.

Mar 3 1855

Last night about 11 o'clock I went to see Mrs. Wm. Bean I had been to see her the day before, I could do but little for her, I put a blister on these Sore throats are bad things to manage, last night I put on the blister again, and Steamed the throat with strong vineger for 3 hours when it sudenly broak which giver her instant relief the famaly all thought it was the steaming that burst the throat, but the last thing tried always gets the praise, it is expected the throat will breake sometime and so with all other absess, but the last application is the cure all, yet I am of an opinion the Steaming was of good efect for in five minets she fellt much relieved, hence the reason of Steaming the throat for 3 hours, it keeped her quite easy, I think if there was good in the vinegar, that Niteric Acid a little Stronger then Vinegar would answer better, if I meet with another case of the Kind I will be for trying it, --- The wether still cold but not as cold as it was a week ago. My box is arrived in--expects it is at Piedmont I have sent down to Claysville to see about it Cosin James Ridings has turkey on March 14. Yesterday there was tolerable Sleet, and what was more strange there was very heavy thunder to the west, at the same time was very fogey, this morning quite clear and sun shining bright.

Mar 17 1855

Last night I think there was as much rain fell as fell in 6 months before, and about 4 o'clock in morning very lowd thunder, today cleared off, and this afternoon very high wind from N. W.

Mar 20, 1855

Yesterday I went to see a Mrs. Wm. Arnold , they came for me on Sunday, but I could not go, but I went next day, they sent me word she had the plursey, but I found she had a very disordered liver, and was quite in a dropsyed form or state, I was not prepared to give her any medicine then but I am sending her some tomorrow. Today is very cold and freezing hard with high wind.

Mar 27, 1855

Yesterday was tolerable fine the fore part of the day, but in the afternoon began to blow from S.W. A very high wind with rain and before I got to the top of the mountain it began to snow and the wind changed to N. W. and by dark was very cold and this morning thermometer 15º below freesing and on Sunday was has cold a day we have had for a month, went to see Mrs. William Arnolt found her a little better.

April 9 1855

Yesterday I came from seeing Mrs. S. Oats, went on Saturday Saw her this day week ago, Mrs. Harding was attending on her I did not wish to attend on her, for she was in a very high feaver the liver appeared to be very sore and the feaver appeard of the Typhus or perhaps more of the Typhode Kind, her bowels were very much out of order, and bad to keep open, I did not like to attend on her for if Hardings treatment would do anything in Such a case, I should do quite wrong, yet they famaly insisted I should go to work on her I did so and give 6 doses of Dovers with about 6 grs. of Calomel with them and to carry it off with C. Oil she rested very well all that night, on my return from Arnolds they wishes me to give my vews. and my opinion for the future, to be given to Harding I did so, but he pretended to believe it was too bold a treatment for her, I had very cautious and proscribed a very mild form, it was thus 6 small pill of mass with about 2 grs. Coly. Comp. one pill given every 3 hours, and still go on with small doses of Dovers without Calomel in, and particularly if the mass & Coly. should act on the bowels too much, and to assist the Dovers about 20 drops of Sweet niter in her drink, this treatment acted well and in 24 hours reduced her pulse from 120 to 90, this Harding objected to, my opinion is he did not understand my proscription, for I had in case the bowels should be painfull to give small pills of Hyoscyamus Ext. combined with a little opium every 2 or 3 hours, and omit the dovers, he declared he durst not give such medicine and so his patint, I have been a little more particular for he Harding is in my opinion a complet fool.

April 10, 1855

Today we are planting potatoes Machanicks, I pay no regard to Almanick Signes but I will plant a row or two our ground is in very fine order, and we have no time to plant all or I would do so, I am cutting the crown or main Eye off, and planting them about one foot apart, the root end if large enough I cut in two or three, and will plant two in one place about a foot appart, these Roots I will plant in the first row the other in the Second thus No. 1--No. 2 and perhaps I will not finish our planting for a week or two, though I will plant a row every day or two-------- we have just finished planting our two rows, and I had cut more then I thought of, and we planted the whole length of the patch with the root end of the potatoes two and three in one hill, the crown sets I planted from the Lnyen stump in No. 2 with one every 6 inches, for about the half of the row and has we had more sets then would finish it I planted two even 6 inches the other half, so we will see which produces best, we also sowed turnips on the whole of what we planted today, I have tryed them ever since 1839 but never could get them to grow, in the 1839 we had very fine Turnips and plenty to Eat by the 2 Sunday in June.

April 14 1855

Today we have sowen my seed I got from England it is raining a little wind S. W. and we have sowen a bed of Beets, and one of onions, and a bed of little Onions (Silver Sckins) and if it does not rain to much I will plant a row of my seedlings potatoes though I am told by the belivers in Signes, that they will produce nothing but tops, (Vines as they are called) I will see what wonders there is in signes.

Yesterday I returned from seeing Mrs. Sampson Oats I stayed two days, I could make but little impresion on her for the better so I stayed two days & give about 15 grs. of Calomel with a little mass & colycinth, I was afraid it might be too active on the Bowels, but it did not act when I left at 8 o'clock, I had put on the side a heavy or large Blister on her side.

We have just finished planting 3 row of my Seedlings, I was told yesterday that if I planted with the illustration omited Cancer I supose, I should have nothing but top for my crop, my ground was in fine order and I put Signes at defiance, last tuesday we planted all our Mechanicks, let the signe be where the Devil it may be ------No.111 from the middle to the N. Machanicks Seedlings. iv from the middle to the S. Yellow Seedlings from the middle to N. Machanicks seedlings V from the middle to N. Seedlings Machanicks that is from the No. Stick from the Stick to the S. mixed seedlings Machanicks and some other kinds all together.

Apr 25 1855

Since I planted the above we had a very fine rain, and it has been very warm, except a day or two after the rain. Today 25 we finished planting and from the Hickrey stump down the hill all seedlings, and greatest part of them of the Machanick kind, the sign hart and moon first quartring, now we have planted in the old of the moon, and the new of the moon all above the Hickrey Stump are proper machanicks, and a row of Carrots betwix then and the seedlings, with a few beets among them. My turnips I sowed on the 10th instant are come up, as full as the can stick and today I have just returned from seeing Oats famaly Mrs. Oats very bad I think she will die, and two of the Oldest children very bad.

May 7 1855

I have Just returned from Sampson Oats, I have had a very tough time I had a bed start with her and She being (incienty) I had a bad chance to work with her and two of the oldest children got the feaver I soon got them well, but I have got throw with Susan, yet she is very low, and looks more like a dead woman then a live one, yet I think with good management she may recover but Mary Robreck is Boss, and as low as Susan is she has got a head of her own, and so has a Showing horse.

Yesterday was a very cold day for the time, in the morning there was considerable Ice on the fences, quit a Sleet, and in the evening it began to snow by squalls, and this morning on dry Situations, an inch or better of Snow, our James is plowing our field a Second time, what he missed at first plowing may hit the Second we wish to plant our corn as quick as we can I have seen corn two or three inches high about Ridgvill, but I guess it will not be much wrong as this cold blast will not be of much benefit to newly planted corn. On New Creek the people appears to be very Slugish in puting in stuff about Ridgvill every inch of Ground and every potatoe that can be got or Spared is in the ground it reminds me of the Spring of 1839 how this summer will turn out no man can tell, but we have the moast beautifull appearance for grass I ever saw, pastures look fine, and meadows also at this time provisions have very high flour $l2.OO $l3.0O per Barrel, but I have heard, that the speculators have been somewhat burnt, and that a great decline has taken place in the Eastern Citys, but I don't know how true, at all events we cant have it much cheaper hear, till we have grain grown.

May 10, 1855

This morning the strongest frost I ever saw at this season, the ground is frose a compleat crust on and in the open and Clear sunshine at past 7 o'clock in the morning the around and grass still white with frost, not in tho shade, but in the open Sun Shine as stated above, and the Sky clear not a Cloud to be seen, frut must all be killed, for Peaches & Apples in Bloom, though some of the peaches going out of bloom but Apples in full bloom.

May 16 1855

It is thought the frost on the 10th has left some of the frut alive, yet in places it must be killed, the Season is still the same as last summer and through winter, everything now very dry, there has been no rain except a little snow for two or three week, I see no change in the general range of the Season, the wind constantly blowing from the North end N. W. it will appear to Cloud up through the afternoon except a Clear place in the N. W. and every appearance of rain, about midnight it will be all cleared off, in the morning dry and cool, this it will be every 5 or 6 days, what will be our fate God only knows, at this time every thing or kind of food at the highest, flour from $l0.00 to $l4.00 per barl. beef in N.York and other Eastern markets from 12 to 16 cts. per to corn $1.12 to $1.50 per Bush. and all other eatables in like range, it appears the Wheat crop will or would be tolarable good, if not dryed up, our Country have been selling off flour all winter to Eng., France and Else were, though we had no other prospect but Starvation before us from the failure of Crops of last summer yet to make dollars, we would sell anything, I guess we would sell our children for dollars, we can preach, Sing and pray, but Dollars are the Gods of all.

May 31 1855

Today we have a South wind and to look at we might have a rain any hour, but for 18 months there has been symptoms of rain, and the wind from east and South, and in a day or two the wind would change to the N. and I am affraid it will do so at this time. I have been very throug for a few weeks measels are on the Creek, but what few cases there are, are getting better, The Election is over and from all reports Wise is Elected, this has been the moast excited Election there has been since I came to this country and I think there has been more cause then ever was, the K. N. have been making sad harvock throw this country for a year or two, but Virginia has withstood the shock of fools, and could not be equlled, has easy has sum of the more holy States, but is my opinion that Virginia has Saved the Union for I consider Virginia is the mother of these United States and of course all Sound honest true harted Republicans, and men of Democratic princabls, will follow this State, I myself Voted for Mr.Armstrong and he is defeated, and he is Strongly suspected of being K. N. if so I am well pleased with the result, this K. N. I am afraid os a sceam got up for some purpos, not known to honest men, but in Virginia they have got but little foot hold.

June 4 1855

True enough Wise is elected by 10,000 of a majoraty and I think this will put our Union to rights once more for a time, what new fangled hoby-horse will Spring nex I cant say but I think K. N. is on the decline though but of short reigne.