1799

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt Jr, 5 December 1799

5 Dec^r

Dear Sir

I want to prevail upon you to become an adventurer in a mine of humanity which I am not rich enough to work myself – You have heard no doubt that much promise of success attends my exp^s on consumptive patients confined in cowhouses. Of 6 patients in desperate circumstances & one when every thing else had been tried in vain I hope <to snatch from the grave> 2 at least – The exp^t is at present a random thing & it is not to be supposed that we shall fall at once upon the most effectual proportion of salutary fumes & the most salutary temperature &c Now £400 or £500 w^d ascertain the thing – I have laid out so much on the Pneum^c Instⁿ that at present I have not more than half that sum at command – If you have as much I think you would not scruple to bestow it under proper conditions on a scheme for curing consumption – Now I propose if the scheme answers to give you the sum double back – As I shall gain <in this case> there is no reason you should not share – If it does not, I will as soon as I can repay you the principal. – Now I shall be well able in 2 or 3 years or less, as far as I can judge from the past – perhaps you’ll think this scheme extravagant – However, when I apply to a person in this manner I always remember that he has as good a right to refuse as I to ask & so I take care not to be chagrined & it w^d be presumption indeed to be offended – Of course you’ll not mention this –

Do you know anybody who has old venereal complaints. I think from several cases we have made an improvement in the practice which none hardly can resist – I am told you are incessantly laboring in your grand arsenal – For my part, I do not despair of mankind – I expect good from Buonaparte – He will act a part from which history affords no precedents – & perhaps with^t the bigotry & the ambition be in politics in some respects what Mahomet was in religion

I am Dr Sir
Yours most truly

Thomas Beddoes

Address: James Watt Jun^r Esq / Soho / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Clifton 5 Dec^r 1799 // Wishes me to advance £200 towards his trial of Cowhouses
MS: LoB MS 3219/6/2/B/75