Dr. Arthur Moray Randolph Account of His Trip to Attend to His Dying Son.

Transcript

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Discharge returned at 12 Oc freely. He has been sleeping more than
half the day a very unusual circumstance. Sent Adam again for Dr
Cochran at request of Dr Peyton, he is not well and cannot come
before Wednesday at soonest.
This has been a cold day the ground hard frozen early in morning.
Saw Richmond Examiner of 18th inst.
Tuesday 25th
This is my poor boys birthday is it the last he will ever have?
He is this day of age, 21 years old. Alas poor fellow, dear child,
my first born, how hard is it to give him up. How monstrous are
the workings of providence, why was he born, why lived to manhood,
why this cruel sickness this unmitigated suffering for a fourth of
a year. For what sin or whose is this terrible chastisement? O Lord
God be merciful, is it not enough O God? Now let thy servant depart
In peace, or rescue him from the pit for thou alone now can save
him alive. Cloudy and rain, disagreeably cold.
Wednesday 26th
Eston rested tranquilly, more so than usual - perhaps because I
had his bed beaten and shaken up well. No change in his symptoms.
The discharge is arrested again. Some rain in the night, cloudy
and cold wind now.
Drs Cochran and Peyton after another consultation determined on
the operation of penacentis [?]. It was performed and followed
by a discharge of at least two quarts of pus, thick and of a greenish
yellow colour, warm water was repeated injected until it came away
barely discoloured. Chloroform was given previous to operating.
Thursday 27th
The night was passed pretty much as usual. He is unconscious of
Any favourable change in his symptoms or feelings even which seems
strange. This day completes the third month of his illness!
Good God what a period of suffering.
Very cold, ground hard frozen, ice in the shade the whole day.
Mr Foster began threshing wheat, I witnessed the working of the
machine which is very thorough, beating out and fanning at the
same time. It requires eight horses.
Gave E. enema again.
Friday 28th
Eston rested quite well I gave him only ½ the usual opiate,
substituting a cathartic pill for second dose without his know-
ledge. Kept poultice to the cut no discharge from it as yet.
Pulse 93.
Eat too hearty a breakfast and was troubled about the stomach and
bowels afterward, took no more nourishment all day, gave him enema
at dark attended by almost immediate and full relief. Accompanied
Mr F. in a long walk, to McDaniels, Temple Smiths, and Mr Welsh.
Saturday 29th
Eston rested as well as usual with one opium pill and a few drops
laudanum. He has eat nothing for 24 hours which is bad for him.
Cloudy raw morning threatening instant rain.
Estons clothing left in Richmond
one coat formerly mine Redish brown woolen pants
old uniform coat 1 large white blanket
Black figured vest

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