1794

Thomas Beddoes to Thomas Wedgwood, 12 August 1794

Now, my dear Sir, I will answer your letter immediately because I much wish the projected Medical Pneumatic Institution to have your support. In the first place I refer you to a small pamphlet entitled Letters from Dr. Withering and Dr. Ewart & c to me, Johnson 1794, wherein are facts tending to shew the medicinal powers of elastic fluids. I think I can aver that in several cases which common medicines c^d not reach this new mode of treatment has been efficacious: I have reason to believe that oxygene air will be almost infallible in putrid fevers as they are called; but I have not had instances enough, though when it has been used its powers have appeared very striking. In consumption a lowered air always proves highly grateful; and that some nonrespirable airs have efficacy in this disease, the pamphlet above mentioned, I think, will convince you. I was lately called to Mr Watt’s daughter at Heathfield. She was in a consumption, we applied airs as well as we c^d to her great ease, though she died before we c^d get a proper apparatus made & c five days after I saw her. Mr Watt upon this set himself to work to invent a domestic apparatus for procuring & holding airs; in this he has pretty well succeeded, & I have in my hands a drawing of it to be published with a number of what I think illustrative exp^ts on animals. Messrs Watt, Boulton, & Darwin Mr Keir & many other eminent men from science a [xxxx] think well of my project & they approve of the outline I have drawn, which will very soon be printed & of which I will then immediately forward a copy to you. The Duchess of Devonshire has taken it up with much ardour & I hope she will procure many contributors.

Charcoal has certainly [MS torn] in bowel complaints. After your letter I discovered that a cork burned to charcoal is a domestic medicine for the colic; & as Theophilus Holbrooke assures me, a very efficacious one. I will try its application to chancres.

I am
Dear Sir
With much esteem respectf^lly

Thomas Beddoes

Aug^t 12

Address: Thomas Wedgewood Esq / Tallaton / Ottery St Mary / Honiton / Devon [this address has been crossed out and the letter re-addressed ‘Josiah Wedgewood Esq / Cresselly / near Narberth / W. Wales’ – Thomas Wedgwood has forwarded it to Josiah]
Endorsements: Dr Beddoes // I have sent for the pamphlet he mentions – & think I shall contribute as the attempt must be successful in part if it only goes to prove that the airs are not efficacious in medicine, and he seems determined to give them a thorough trial – No news stirring here – yours ever – TW
MS: WE/WM/1/1/1/WM35.19