1797

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 10 December 1797

10 Dec^r 1797

Dear Sir

James is here & certainly better – It seems the most probable opinion that nitrous acid has rendered him more service than any other medicine – He will be at home in a day or two – I cannot refer his symptoms to any other plausible origin but the lust-seuche.

I have to-day two diff^t acc^ts from on board the navy fully confirming those from Plymouth & 3 days ago I had information that >ع had been found to cure lues in France – I am promised full particulars forthwith. There can be no doubt for the truth of the Plymouth acc^ts on whatever the differences of result may depend.

I have ventured to give Mr Kivell nitrous acid with small doses of ☿² – – the former I shall leave off when any suspicious circumstance arises – I think the iron ought to be tried & I see no objection to Ext. of cicuta with it – Mr K has been much better for 5 days than during the last 8 months.

Mr Archer – Irish surgeon general – thinks his stomach-complaints nearly gone from the use of the nitrous acid.

I attend to what you say on the production of air Dr Ingenhousz says he has done Miss Vernon great service by undiluted oxygene. L^d Lansdowne has been taking it –

Every month here curses P—tt The middle tradesmen say they cannot pay – I am afraid I said too truly ‘Mr P. cannot force a step forward without overturning society in his way’ – Altern. compared 58–9

I w^d not scruple to risqué my temporal & – – – salvation upon it – that if Mr P. & his associates had not only a tenth of the income, but all our capital they could not save the country.

That the power to ruin it may soon be snatched out of their incapable hands prays heartily your faithful

& obliged

T.B.

Address: Mr Watt / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Dec^r 11^th 1797 / use of >Ø in France / Mr Kevil —
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/029/26

Notes