Thomas Beddoes to Thomas Wedgwood, 21 May 1795
Dear Sir
I am glad you are going to inhale oxygene air as I am sure you will proceed so cautiously as to incur no danger. After inhaling a moderate quantity for a week or so, wd it not be prudent to stop for 2 or 3 days to feel how you are after it? Yesterday I received an acct of two clean cures – one of a remarkably obstinate case of chlorosis, which I think will pin up the basket of proof with regard to the power of oxygene air in this disorder, and the other of apparently incipient phthisis by hydrogene – These two cases, I hope, I shall be permitted to print in the appendix I have promised – & which I shall immediately put to press – if any facts that bear upon this subject fall under your notice, I hope you will communicate them for insertion in the said appendix –
The cure of cancer of which you spoke has interested me a good deal. I particularly wish to know why the patient was forced to suspend the local application of fixed air after it had removed the pain – If there was a serious design of attempting a cure, shd not a moderate quantity of oxygene be inhaled in this case? Your brother John heard from Mr Townshend a detail still more minute that that which was published of the miraculous rapidity with which Mr Atwood’s sores were healed; & I wish you wd ask him to repeat the circumstances –
I am disappointed to find that the advertisement of subscriptions has not yet appeared in the Sun & Star, as it was transmitted a fortnight ago & the papers have not been occupied with remarkably interesting matter – When you go to London, I cd wish you to take the charge of getting it inserted once or twice in the Morning Chronicle as that paper is read by a class of persons likely enough to subscribe. I hope you will favour me with a line as soon as you conveniently can after you get to town – & if you wd direct to me under cover to Sir Robt Salusbury MP Clifton Bristol, I shd get your letters post free –
Hoping you will receive Mrs John Wedgwood, not materially the worse for the dust she will be obliged to inhale on the road, I remain yours with true regard
Thos Beddoes
21 May 1795
Address: Mr Tho. Wedgwood / Etruria / Staffordshire
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 1795
MS: WE/WM/1/1/1/WM35.1