Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 3 February 1802
Dear Sir
The acct is perfectly right & shall be paid at sight.
It is not my fault that the hair liniment was not sooner sent. I cd not get one ingredient till yesterday – but I have it now & it is preparing & will be sent tomorrow – I wd have you add 10 grains of sal ammoniac to every quantity you use which should be just enough to rub into the head, & add spirit too, if it do not not warm the scalp & rub it in well & roast the head till dry.
As to the gout medicine there are increasing proofs of its safety & efficacy, & of that I cannot doubt. There is also reason to think it efficacious in rheumatism/sciatica & lumbago as well from analogy as from some successful cases. Also I have been led to try it in one terrible case of nervous headache; that is, where there was much throbbing & local heat; & a bruised feel afterwards – & the patient has had an exemption for 5 weeks last past, which has not been the case for three years – I am more encouraged by the analogy of local pain; than by this one instance – but in fair gout I wd stake my life & property.
I am much obliged by your attention to my box. Perhaps, when more important objects cease to occupy your friends, I may get a line of intelligence. I do not wish to intrude on their time.
Mrs Beddoes has desire to be remembered to Mrs Watt & you. The child thrives. I am
Dear Sir, yr obliged
Thomas Beddoes
3 Feb. 1802
Address: James Watt, Esq / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes Feby 3d / 1802 – / Hair linnement / Gout medicine
Postmark: FEB31802
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/044/03