Thomas Beddoes to Thomas Wedgwood, 6 March 1795

Clifton March 6

Dear Sir

I will send you the proof of the sheet containing your observations. I propose only to extract the passages in your letter relative to the power of charcoal in removing your unpleasant eructations. I have the most ample & satisfactory information respecting the power of this substance in foul ulcers. I have also the pleasure of assuring you that all the friends of science & mankind will be satisfied with the other facts my new Ed. will contain. Many of the cases are vouched in a manner, superior to all cavils. They relate to the most formidable diseases, the result is satisfactory & the particulars are stated with the requisite accuracy.

I have been able to make a few exp^ts on animals of a difft kind from any attempted by myself or others as far as I know. The result has been striking & they have very unexpectedly coincided with some of J. Hunters doctrines – These doctrines will occur to you when you come to read my exp^t I sh^d think my pamphlet w^d be out in 3 weeks –

I suppose £500 or 600 may be subscribed – but I delayed advertising in the London papers partly from a suggestion of James Watt, partly from the necessity of contributions to keep the poor alive this hard winter & I think there need not be more delay – A general infatuation has seized the English gentry – here at least they are zealous for those measures which alone c^d bring on them the fate of the French noblesse: the folly of the minister’s management with regard to Ireland may, if persisted in, excite convulsions in that country first, & then in this. It seems to require but a short time & some accident that may easily happen to bring matters to a crisis. I think the common people are getting dissatisfied; & the present requisition cannot please the yeomanry – Reflections like these make me apprehend that the Pn^c Instⁿ will be defeated by public disasters, even if the subscription sh^d be adequate. However, this apprehension is only with me a reason for trying to get it forward.

I am yours with sincere regard

Thomas Beddoes

Address: Thomas Wedgwood Esq / Basford / Leek / Staffordshire
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes
MS: WE/WM/1/1/1/WM35.12

The full versions of these letters with textual apparatus will be published by Cambridge University Press.