This was found in Samuel's 1884 Diary. It is addressed to John Lockhart.
Sir:
My father and mother were here on Saturday night, and my wife was inquiring of them for Dr. Johnson's address but failed to get it; However my step-mother said that she had been afflicted in the same manner that your mother is and affected a cure by taking a white flannel rag the size of her hand and saturating well with lard, then covered it with pulverized rosin and placed it over a live coal from a wood fire placed in the bottom of a chamber mug and sit over it while it burned and thus smoked the parts affected.
This should be repeated frequently, perhaps once every day or at least every other day according to the urgency of the case. Wife is very anxious to call and see your mother, but has been prevented by circumstances which could not well be controlled. We tender our sympathies.
Yours, Samuel J. Melvin
Given the nature of the treatment, I cannot imagine what the problem actually was. But it sure doesn't sound pleasant.
