1797

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 30 May 1797

Dear Sir

The account is quite right & I shall expect your dr^t as soon as you please. I had no idea of referring to you in the P.S. concerning R.U. – I shall say ‘since the last edⁿ I have learned so & so’ – At Bath there have lately been some curious & philosophical obs^ns made on the action of airs. One case shews remarkably the effect of oxygene on the blood vessels – It was an oozing of blood which nothing restrained till oxygene was used & that was quite efficacious – I shall be able to give you full particulars when I have the pleasure of seeing you –

If I find my profession as profitable as for the last 18 months, I shall devote £100 or £200 at least to the Pn^c Instⁿ & I believe Thomas Wedgwood would yet add £200 or 300 if it be wanted – He is expected here in a week or two & as he has been so liberal & is at the same time very capable, I wish to concert the outlines of a definite scheme with him – I shall be glad if you & he happen to meet – a committee should, as you say, he appointed – but I know not how ten persons can be found here or near – & what use will committee men be of, who never assemble –

I have by private letters accomplished the payment of most of the money –

My message to Dr Withering was half in jest. A poor man (Pope) told me he had heard the Dr say that Dr M– was the most fashionable physician here, which deterred Pope from consulting him – But I am seriously concerned to hear that Dr W & Dr Darwin are so much unwell – Though no great friends, they have done more for medicine & for society than most of their brethren of the present generation – I have been long expecting Dr Withering to publish the his remarks on phthisical people in Portugal. I thought them highly important; & every person of distinct observation whom I have seen has confirmed them more or less Mrs B is better but thin – she would be glad, if you & Mrs Watt would take up your abode in our house – where we have plenty of room, while you stay –

I hear from all quarters of the good effect of nitric acid & in some bad syphilitic & hepatic cases – I am Dear Sir

Very sincerely yours

Thomas Beddoes

30 May

P.S. I wish you would (if not inconvenient) bring 3 silver & 3 plated mouth-pieces with 12 bags –

Address: Mr Watt / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Doctor Beddoes / May 30^th 1797
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/029/14