What we find are 3 different approaches to treating wounds and illness.  For cases the swnw felt confident he could cure, the written description stated "an ailment which I will treat."  For cases that were very uncertain of a successful outcome the swnw said  "An ailment with which I will contend." Finally, in cases where the swnw knew he was overmatched by a disease he merely stated  " an ailment not to be treated."