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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Norman Mudd
Report on Alostrael's [Leah Hirsig] Health 23 October 1923
1. Cough. About one bout a day—never more. Sometimes a bad one. E.g. last night: this A.M. persistent pain in right lung (apparently) but eventually better.
2. Sleep. Perfectly normal: neither too long nor too short. Wakes naturally and is refreshed and lively.
3. Collapse. There have been none at all this last week [illegible] of the old alarming kind. She "[illegible]" very occasionally; but a few minutes lying down is enough to put her quite right. She is spontaneously active in a playful way most of the time. I have been careless once or twice about [illegible] her in the matter of King J's Patience, but that's the worst of it.
4. Appetite. Rather irregular. Hope this [illegible] 3 days in desert (Tuesday - Friday) will get her going strong.
5. Digestion. Uncertain. I can't tell yet what things tend to upset her, and she seems to have no idea herself.
6. Smoking. Has quit Thursday - Thursday. Can't say I see much benefit; but I think the local part of the cough is better for the abstinence.
7. Drink. Ought to drink more water: Expect dune-trip will help here.
8. Nursing. Mohammed ben Brahim helps some, and will help more when she forgets she has to boss him around. Of course Alma [Alma Hirsig] could help lots by taking over all responsibility: this is the important thing of all. She worries most unreasonably about money: wants to have the cash in her stocking!
9. Univ. Med. Only 2 doses so far: they have done wonders. Next 3 days I hope to [illegible] it in good and hard.
10. Mental State. In extremis, but rapidly tending to flatter curves and higher average bouts. Fits of depression rarer and shorter. Much irrational crossness now and then; but this is rather a good sign. Convalescents always cranky: docility goes with resignation to invalidism.
11. Exercise. Early efforts have lost their charm. But she enjoys walking, and it does her good without tiring her. Our 3 days' [illegible] will tell me a whole lot.
12. Work. Has lost all sense of duty—or very near. I'm very careful not to start any serious job. All I do is to keep her amused. e.g. yest[erday] P.M. worked out the characters of "Passing the [illegible]" [illegible] from talismans.
13. Play. Fooling around: pretending to shop: lounging in Oasis: playing [illegible] etc: chats on café balcony after dinner by moonlight (God! you ought to see [illegible] here! Scarlet, azure, emerald, violet—all together!)
General remark. 2nd week has been good advance on 1st. Not spectacular, but steady. She's getting accustomed to getting better: as she forgets she is getting better she will be better and stay better. Again I look for much good from the 3 days in the desert.
93 93/93
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