1800

Thomas Beddoes to Francis Fortescue Turville, 27 January 1800

27 Jan. 1800

Dear Sir

What you have stated is apparently quite accurate – What has lately appeared to me to have saved several lives when medicine quite failed, is a perfectly equable temperature, aided by various fumes – My idea was to imitate the effects of a cowhouse of the power of which in curing or mitigating consumption I had what I deemed sufficient reason to be convinced – I have now six patients either actually in cowhouses or in temperated rooms, all with more or less good effect on the disease – I hope one half will recover finally You will conceive that every more simple means had been exhausted before this was had recourse to –

The patients always live in one room. In this there must be double windows & double doors & a stove – either one of those which throw out heated air or one on the manner of the Russian stoves – No air must be drawn out of the room by the fuel – The temperature must be from 64 to 70 as most agreeable to Mrs T. This is better than any climate on this side the W. Indies –

I have now a room with a stove giving out heated air which is supplied by a tube piercing the double window – The stove stands some way in the room – If you choose to have recourse to this experiment, you will let me know – & I will tell you what fumes to try –

I wish I c^d send you drawings – but I have no such thing – I regret not being nearer you that I might give personal directions – And I suppose neither you nor Mrs T. under the circumstances w^d like to move far – Indeed unless I had demonstrative certainty, in place of great probability of rendering effectual & permanent certainty, I w^d not wish you here – I am D^r Sir

With all good wishes your

Thomas Beddoes

MS: Leicestershire Record Office DG 39/1475