Thomas Beddoes to the Editors of The Medical and Physical Journal, 4 June 1802
GENTLEMEN,
I was one of those whom an apparently unfavourable case led at first to doubt of the security afforded by the cow-pox against the small-pox. However, on account of my very doubts, I attended with deeper interest to the investigation; and it is now long since I offered the poor of Bristol the benefit of the new Inoculation at the Pneumatic Institution. Every instance has confirmed the good effect of the practice. The deviations from the usual appearances, Mr. King will relate in the account of our transactions.
With as high a sense of what mankind owe to Dr. Jenner as has been expressed by any of your correspondents, I cannot but be deeply mortified at the smallness of the parliamentary reward which he is likely to receive. The largest sum now proposed must, I think, be felt as very inadequate; and without a National Subscription, the communication of discoveries of immediate and general utility, will be checked. I feel this more sensibly, as I shall have to announce in my eighth Essay on Health, a discovery of apparently very great importance, but of which the author, not being a medical man, can receive no emolument but through the means of secrecy, public remuneration, or private contribution.
I hope to see by the newspapers, or your next number, that many others feel as I do. If professional men exert themselves, they will find abundance of families, who have received, or hope to receive, benefit from Dr. Jenner’s labours, ready to help towards advancing his fortune; and he surely will not blush to receive such proofs of their sense of obligation. Probably those very Members of Parliament, who from a sense of duty, shewed themselves most sparing of the public purse, will be among the most forward to open their own.
I am, &c
Thomas Beddoes.
June 4, 1802.
Published: The Medical and Physical Journal, 8 (July 1802), 7