1796

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 24 September 1796

Dear Sir

You say Dr Withering does not believe the facts respecting Mr W – the melancholia patient – If the Dr is so skeptical as not to believe two brother-Doctors, what is to be done to help his incredulity? I can say nothing – I saw no part of the reported miracle – I have not heard from Mr Udney – I do not yet know the result of the use of the nitric acid in a patient ill of syphilis, who has been under 3 surgeons, taken a vast deal of mercury internally & rubbed on at least 2lb of the strong ointment with^t any affection of the mouth or amendment of a primary venereal ulcer – I was happy to have so fine an opportunity of trying the nitric acid & I expect it will have fair play – but the patient is above 100 miles off –

I cannot say Miss C. is any better – But a most violent cold is rather peripneumary, for which I was forced to let blood, came across our operations – I yet hope to cure her – I think all the patients with odd disorders I had when you were here are either recovered or in a fair way – I was [xxxx] obliged to adopt a bold plan with the perpetual orthopnoea – but the news of the death of a brother in Domingo, whose departure from Britain had been concealed from the patient, brought on the nervous symptoms again. But the great efficacy of the plan adopted makes me hope it will succeed when used again – In another letter I will describe it –

The beginning of the next week I hope to send you some half sheets; but I have been sadly plagued by the printer –

Yr^s in haste

Thomas Beddoes
24 Sep^r 1796

I have been much from home lately – I rec^d the bags &c safe

Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Sepr 24^th 1796
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/29/11