Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 10 March 1795
Dear Sir
I suppose you did not answer my letter, respecting the plate, from an expectation that I might soon receive an explanation of the mistake from you or Mr Pearson. I am prevented, however, from being with you as I hoped. But I think circumstances may permit me to set out in the mail on Friday evening, in which case I shall be at Heathfield between 10 & 11 on Saturday morning & must return on Sunday night – However, if the plate be safe, you need not be at the trouble of ordering it sent, till it be determined whether I can <or cannot> leave two patients, whose state at the present moment is so precarious that they & their friends wd be shocked at my quitting them. I wish extremely to have as much conversation with you as you can spare time for, & certainly will wait upon you if there be a chance of my doing it with propriety –
We go on very well with the press. I shall bring the sheets containing your description with me: & as many of my own as are printed which will be about 3. Within these 5 days I have unluckily brought on a spitting of blood in a nervous patient with an inch of the larger cylinder of oxygene with 25&20 of atmospheric air given twice a day. However there is nothing alarming in the other symptoms & I am pretty sure no harm will arise. I shall now try hydrocarbonate in moderate doses.
I think the pamphlet will make 9 or 10 sheets, more loosely & handsomely printed, than the 1st edition. You & all persons, desirous of genuine information from well-ascertained facts, will I trust consider this edition as exhibiting effective progress in pneumatic medicine & laying a sure foundation for the practice. This is more than ever was done <in the same time> in so difficult & important an undertaking; & more infinitely that than wd have been done if you had not interfered – I am Dear Sir
Yours with sincere esteem
Thomas Beddoes
March 10
Address: Mr Watt / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 1795
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/27/17