1796

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 1 January 1796

1 Jan 1795 [sic]

Dear Sir

I did not speak more precisely concerning Mrs Kerr, because I thought the new power had not been applied so long or so properly as to produce ascertainable effects. The rot.ch took some time <& several alterations> to prepare before it w^d go with^t noise. Mrs Kerr says she thinks it does make her sleep better, when it goes slow. The Hcarbonate has made Mrs Kerr slightly giddy, but I think had no soporific effect. For this fortnight past she has had no evening heats – she came here with chills in the morning & evg. flushings. The chills were certainly taken off by airing particularly on rough roads. The heats did not go off till the dusting & the rotation (which had been persevered in with great constancy during the nights) came into play. We did alter the diam^r of the pulleys. The powder was first yellow bark & ceruss 1 & 2 parts. It has lately been Y. B. 8, ceruss 3, flor. Zinc 2 parts. It produces no irritation to cough. I am not afraid of and in this confirm, only fear enough cannot be got into the lungs. Seeing the symptom of fever abated & the appetite being feeble, I ordered the yellow bark freely 5 days ago. It seems to agree well. If the above circumstances indicate a favourable turn, we shall have abatement in the qt^y & improvement in the quality of the expectorⁿ soon. This I shall watch narrowly. The cough is not altered as far as I can learn.

The reason I wished for more velocity than our first construction allowed was this – Mr Kerr & myself had a glow when quickly turned. I wished to make Mrs Kerr glow about 3 o’clock, thinking this might keep off, by anticipating, the flushings at 5 or 6. Now the same time & velocity did not produce such an effect in Mrs Kerr. I believe when regulated by a little experience this machine will be of considerable use in medicine – I will try your proposed exp^t with Mrs Kerr if there be occasion; if not, with another patient –

A physician near this place who confines himself to insane patients is going to fit up the closet you recommended to R^t Thornton.

I have had 2 other patients breathing dust – one a surgeon pure ceruss but he is too far gone for any hope – another not so far gone as Mrs Kerr – Neither are here – but I shall know the general result –

You are of the same opinion as I am respecting associations – so the measure of the committee will prove nugatory. My plan is ‘soothe & instruct the poor’ – they cannot be compelled. Not a human being but feels a consciousness of his rational nature, when compulsion is offered. My wish is to introduce barley broth of bones. When you dissolve bone in weak marine acid, cellular substance remains. I suppose this w^d dissolve in water at 350^° but not at 212^° Perhaps the different gain is not worth the trouble of a digester – sh^d not all brewing of beer except small beer be stopped – I verily believe Lord Daer’s apps is arrived at Bristol. When I know not. I will look tomorrow – my operator discovered it, by accident – looking for something else.

I am told Dr Pearson is going to publish facts respecting airs – I am glad to hear it

I am d^r Sir

with my best wishes & respects

yours truly

Thomas Beddoes

Address: Mr Watt / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Jan^y 1^st 1796 / Mrs Kerr, rotative couch / inspiration of powders
Stamped: BRISTOL
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/28/25