Montague, Abigale, autographed letter signed to John Winthrop; Hadley, Mass., 1 side (2 pages), 1663 July 19

Correspondence about her seven-year-old daughter, who was suffering from inflammation and discharge from her eye, in which Montague requests Winthrop's advice on whether sarsaparilla root or English barley boiled with herbs would be an effective treatment. Montague adds a postscript about her own health, writing she has a "thick rotten fleame rising out of my stomach" but no cough.

Winthrop, John, 1606-1676, autographed letter signed (copy) to Richard Odell; Pequot, Conn., 1 side (4 pages), 1652 November 27

Copy of correspondence responding to a November 16, 1652, letter from Odell regarding his daughter's illness, which Winthrop speculates is hemiplegia. According to Winthrop, "The cure depends upon the knowledge of the right cause, and not only that but the constand and due aplication of such things as may conduce them thereto, which is difficult to doe at a distance." Winthrop further writes that he did not at present have medicine to send for her condition, but recommends "some general things that might be helpfull." These included keeping the child warm with fox or rabbit furs, an ointment consisting of herbs, wax, castor oil, worm grease, fox grease, or an ointment of balsam. Winthrop writes he has sent an ointment, but does not specify its ingredients. His other suggestions for treatment include cupping without scarification, and an decoction containing sarsaparilla, guaiacum, and spirit of rosemary.