1799

Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood, 23 April 1799

Dear Wedgewood

Our Pneumatic Instⁿ. goes on prosperously. We have completely established the power of digitalis in consumption – I think it will cure 4 out 5 cases not in the last stage – & I speak rather below the mark – As to relapses, they will probably be prevented by timely recourse to the medicine on the first alarm. I think we shall discover remedies for some other diseases, not at present within the power of medicine though [?they] are anticipated in consumption – Our first experiments have given us great hopes in palsy & some other diseases of debility – I think we could now stimulate Tom’s torpid machine. We have made out a species of air of which a small quantity has repeatedly exhilarated diff^t. persons in the most remarkable manner & a larger quantity produces perfect intoxication without subsequent debility – Whether this will not do wonderful things for the old & the torpid deserves a thorough investigation. I think it will realise the expectations & conjectures I originally started – at least to a certain degree – were I old or languid, I w^d go through a course of it – It seems to act by giving excitability or life – not by exhausting the subsisting powers as stimuli do.

I have as I promised inquired about the expenses of the Somersetshire sally. I think I can explain the difference in your calculation & my balance – I recollected distinctly as I thought, that on agreeing to take 4 horses, I stipulated with mine host of the George that if I came back without delaying his horses he sh^d. not charge for return. On looking at his bill, & remarking on its amount, I believe he told me he always charged extra because the journey knocked up his horses for 2 days. This we can settle when we meet.

If there were any articles which w^d. at once suit us & you in the future course of your children’s education, I w^d. lay out your 30 guineas in them – & send them to you after we had done with them. We want a pair of nice scales & an elect^l machine. Your magnificent brother Tom has lent us his airpump.

I should have written to your sister Sally, but for the return of Tom. My wife is not quite free from pulmonary tubercles, as far as I can judge, & she has some difficulty in standing the action of digitalis which she detests. However it is evident she has been snatched out of the jaws of death, & I trust will recover.

Your Education MS. wd. have been long since returned but for the accident of Lady Anne Lambton carrying it off.

She is expected here in a few days & will bring it with her.
Remember me to Mrs W.
& believe me to be
Yours most truly

Thomas Beddoes

23 April

Address: Josiah Wedgwood Esq / Stoke / Cobham / Surrey
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 23 Apl 1799
Postmark: A / 24/ 99 // BRISTOL
MS: WE/EL/1/1/E1–564