Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 4 May 1803

4 May 1803

Dear Sir

Some acct^s which I have heard relative to Mr Gregory Watt have given me much concern. The idea of some mischief in the chest recurred very forcibly to my mind – but I have no precise information & you no doubt have taken the most effectual means of ascertaining the seat & nature of the evil.

I have been going on to ascertain the powers of the nitrous oxyd. In this present state of scepticism with regard to medical testimony I have been anxious to procure a good number of cures & to know how the patients went on after they were dismissed cured or relieved – There can be no doubt of its powers in palsy & in all cases where the disorder is uniformly broken down & in the languor of old age –

I am feeding animals on the same diet with various medicaments – as opium lead spirits –

I had very curious results in winter which shewed in a very striking manner how such spirits incapacitate for bearing cold – a thing probable from casual observations.

I sh^d like to know what you think of Dr Lambe of Warwick’s book upon lead – Of all the infinity of dyspeptic patients I have seen I do not know of one that comes under his rubric – & I sh^d think his representation much overcharged

If not inconvenient, I wish you w^d be so good as let Messrs Collins, Boulton &c know that if a bill drawn by Savery & Pugh upon Strange and Co in town comes back, as I think from the date it must, if they will return it & draw on me at sight for y^e amount, I sh^d be much obliged to them – Mrs Beddoes desires to join me in compt^s We hope Mrs Watt is well.

I am D^r Sir
Yrs truly

Thomas Beddoes

Address: Mr Watt / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / May 4^th 1803 // Queries about Gregorys health
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/045/05

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