Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood II, 20 August 1799

Dear Wedgwood

Instances occur (& I have seen them) where a single gland shall be scrophulously diseased & no other – In fact, I believe, any one nerve or muscle, or fibril of nerve or muscle, may be disordered while the rest are perfectly performing their functions. The conditions of such unsociable maladies are unascertained.

I w^d put a couple of leeches upon the tumour & after the bleeding (or after the wounds were well clogged up) apply stimulants often so as to rubefy the skin – Spirit alone, or with camphor or cayenne pepper (a drachm infused in 3 or 4 ounces of spirit) will make a strong enough liniment – were it practicable, I w^d apply a pad so as to make gentle pressure – but that seems difficult, considering the situation – Remember me to Mrs W –

y^rs truly

Thomas Beddoes

20 Aug

Address: Josiah Wedgwood / Upcott / near / Taunton
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Aug^t 20 1799
MS: WE/EL/1/1/E1–565

The full versions of these letters with textual apparatus will be published by Cambridge University Press.