1794

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 21 August 1794

Dear Sir

You are making large strides in the business you are about. The application of water to extricate fixed air from chalk in the large way is particularly happy. Does the chalk yield air in solution in an acid afterwards? The stronger the vitriolic acid, for acting on manganese the better. I moistened the manganese with oil of vitriol too, but suppose as much water as will moisten <it> will not be detrimental. If you use the smallest qt^y of [alchemical symbol for sulphuric acid] necessary for expelling the oxygene air; a dry white mass remains; & I fear the retort will be in danger in adding water to rinse it for another process. Hence more [alchemical symbol for sulphuric acid] will perhaps be found economical. In this exp^t the mass swells little or none, which is fortunate as you can use small retorts. – Mr Geijer’s exp^t, as you observe, was certainly not perfect. You will find whether sp. of nitre yields oxygene in proportion to nitre; if you convert all the acid, it ought to give much more. – You remember your chafing-dish apparatus; w^d it not be as well to mention that? It may be useful, & somebody else will think of it & perhaps make a great bustle about the ingenuity of the method –

You may certainly with^t inconvenience to me revise & even new-model your communications; I meant they sh^d come last. I mean to promise as concise & familiar a statement of the facts relative to the inspiration of ordinary or modified air as I can draw up, & add the best directions I can give for a safe application of airs to diseases. I shall hardly have the first proof this week. It will be a very trifling inconvenience to transmit the proofs of your description & c to you. If this will be more satisfactory, pray direct me to do so. Otherwise, I will be answerable without any credit that the references shall be accurate. I care not how soon this publication appears after it is put into a fit state. But I am rather fearful my Bristol Printer’s performance will lag behind his promises. I w^d have printed in London but for the inconvenience of the distance.

I know not if ever you met with a lately published little pamphlet of mind entitled – A Guide for self-preservation & Parental Affection – Two editions have very speedily sold. A third is in the press, somewhat improved. I will send you a few copies. It is chiefly for the uninstructed – I sent two drawings by the Birm^h day coach <of yesterday>, not the mail – shall you adapt the same furnace to both tube & pots with a sand-pot, as I mentioned, your contrivance will be extremely convenient for the chemists as well as the practitioners of pneumatic medicine.

If you alter your papers much, pray insert the facts you have observed relative to the inspiration of these hydrogen airs – the sickening & life-suspending property of that from charcoal – the freedom with which that from zinc may be inspired, comparatively speaking & its effect on the fauces & mucus –

I am
D^r Sir
With comp^ts to Mrs Watt
Your obliged & obed^t servant

Thomas Beddoes

P.S. There need not be a moments hesitation about the shading of the plates – especially as it will make them more distinct as well as more neat – Pray order this accordingly –

Mall, Clifton

Aug^t 21 – 1794

Address: James Watt Esq / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Aug^t 21^st / 1794
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/28/11

Note