Montgomery Ala. Febry. 24/48
Rev'd. William Jarvis.
Dear Sir. I am happy in being the bearer of glad tidings to you. Dr. Jarvis is wonderfully better. After the hemorrhage from the bowels was controlled last night, he began to improve and to day there is every prospect for a speedy convalescence. His pulse has varied to day from 86 to 92. Skin cool. Countenance almost natural, tenderness of the bowels has disappeared. Sleeps quietly without muttering or subsutius tendinem. Yesterday none of the physicians or visitors thought it possible for him to recover. To day we are all of opinion that he is obliged to get well unless some untoward accident should occur. You need not fear our physicking too much. In his case nature has not been thwarted in the least by a perturbating course of treatment, and to this, with the blessing of an allwise Providence, I attribute his safety.
I asked him to day what I should say to you specially when I wrote, and he answered, "say to him that you and I have just been comparing notes and have not quarreled." So you see he is able to crack a joke.
I hope I may be able to advise you tomorrow night of his continued improvement.
Yrs. truly
