Thomas Beddoes to John Rollo, 10 January 1797
Bristol, 10th Jan. 1797.
I last night read your case of Diabetes with the most eager pleasure, and have ever since reflected on it with the utmost satisfaction. It is a pledge of the advance of medicine towards scientific principles. I am curious to know the progress of the case, and also of Mr. Cruickshank’s ingenious researches. I had not been satisfied with any thing in Diabetes; but I think your experiments, and practice, have thrown a ray of light on this obscure subject.
I have been long looking out for diabetic patients, and your obliging communication will renew my diligence. One patient only I knew intimately – he has been thrice cured by the water here. I did not attend him, nor can I learn whether his urine was sweet. But it is certain he had thirst, emaciation, redness, voracious appetite, excessive discharge of urine (probably 20 pounds in the 24 hours). He has thrice visited this place in 12 years, and each time been recovered in a fortnight. No medical man attended him, and his country doctor is dead.
Published: John Rollo, An Account of Two Cases of the Diabetes Mellitus: with Remarks, as They Arose during the Progress of the Cure. To Which Are Added, A General View of the Nature of the Disease and its Appropriate Treatment, Including Observations on Some Diseases Depending on Stomach Affection; and a Detail of the Communications Received on the Subject since the Dispersion of the Notes on the First Case. ... With the Results of the Trials of Various Acids and other Substances in the Treatment of the Lues Venerea; and Some Observations on the Nature of Sugar, &c. (London, 1797), p. 146.