July 27th.–So ill to-day from heat, bad smells in the house, and fatigue, that I sent for Dr. Miller, a great, fine Virginian practitioner, who ordered me powders to be taken in “mint juleps.” Now mint juleps are made of whiskey, sugar, ice, very little water, and sprigs of fresh mint, to be sucked up after the manner of sherry cobblers, if so it be pleased, with a straw.
“A powder every two hours, with a mint julep. Why, that’s six a day, Doctor. Won’t that be–eh ?–won’t that be rather intoxicating?”
“Well, sir, that depends on the constitution. You’ll find they will do you no harm, even if the worst takes place.”