My dear D^r Clark

I am going to beg you to add to your many kindnesses to me and all family.² My eldest son’s horse fell with him six weeks ago, and he had concussion of the brain. Sir J Paget who saw him a fortnight afterwards said the concussion must have been a severe one.³ He suffered afterwards in the usual way from sensitiveness to light, obstinate constipation &c. Paget expected that he would be able to travel in three weeks & return to his Bank work in three months;⁴ but his progress has been far slower. His digestion is now in a bad state, which together with other symptoms & some rheumatism makes me very anxious for your advice. He is of a gouty constitution   I may add that previous to his fall he was greatly overworked as Chairman of two philanthropic institutions.⁵ We find it extremely difficult to judge how far to avoid any excitement on the one hand, and yet not to make his life too monotonous.

My son fears the journey until early in next week, and I should be most grateful if you would give him an appointment as early as possible on Tuesday 4^th, as he will sleep in London. If you cannot see him on Tuesday I hope you will do so on an early day.⁶

One of my sons will accompany him, & I should be glad if you could send us a message through him with your opinion & any verbal instructions.⁷

Believe me | My dear D^r Clark | Yours ever truly obliged | Charles Darwin