Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 12 December 1797
Dear Giddy
The first day I saw Miss Baines, she (I suppose) endeavoured to make the best of her case. But offering several suspicious circumstances, I pressed much for a sight of her morning <expectoration>, & with much difficulty obtained it. I confess to you I was extremely shocked at the sight of numerous globules of pus. She had consulted me simply about the Hot-Well water. I immediately wrote to her father, particularly stating that the Hot-Well water was not to be depended upon – though she might take it, I supposed, without detriment – Her aunt seemed not to have any idea of danger. She has never seen me alone: except one day on Miss B’s stepping out of the room, <for 2 or 3 seconds> I told her hastily that she was in the most imminent danger – I shall call today in consequence of a letter from her father, for hitherto, having been consulted only about the waters & not being desired to repeat my visits, I have seen her only thrice – If the aunt is a weak woman, of which I have no means of judging, she will lose any little chance she may have of recovery – However if the symptoms enable me to determine positively, the father shall know my opinion exactly.
I should think the caustics ought certainly to be used in the case of occasional paralysis of the lower limbs. All the patients, I have seen in which there has been organic lesion of the contiguous parts so as to injure the spinal marrow have at all times has some visible want of power to gather up their heels, or to keep the trunk erect – generally an examination of the spina dorsi discovers something preternatural.
Nitrous acid has great power in some disabilities of the stomach & it increases the secretion of urine – e.g.
Acid nitros: gtt XL ad LX
Aq: pimento ℥vii
Aq: fort: ℥ ix
Syrup: zinzib: ℥iij Capt partitis vicibus quotidie –
I have not seen the Wedgwoods yet – my wife desires her love to your sister & says she will soon convince her that she is not so faulty as she (MG) supposes.
I am yours truly
Thomas Beddoes
Address: Davies Giddy / Tredrea / Marazion / Cornwall
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 1797 / Decr the 12th
MS: Cornish Archives MS DG 42/5