1803

Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 11 June 1803

Dear Giddy

A very extraordinary letter on y^e influenza from Plymouth informing me that the disorder now rages in Cornwall makes me eager to obtain information from that county – In a question whether a disorder is excited by the atmosphere, dates are evidently of the first importance. For if it can be proved that the dissemination of the disease proceeds in no shape according to the direction & velocity of winds the affirmative falls to y^e ground –

You w^d not like to be at the drudgery of copying queries, but can perhaps set some clerk to do it – In that case you w^d oblige me by sending a copy to every one of your small towns – Except at Bodmin & Penzance I know not the name of any medical man. –

I put the queries on the opposite leaf –
Tell your sister y^e Anna rec^d her letter – she is not yet unburthened –
Do you take no notice of my proposal of nitrous oxyd for your father –
I am yr^s truly

Thomas Beddoes

11 June 1803

1. When did the influenza begin & end (if ended) with you
2. Was its date the same in the town & adjacent country
3. After being general did single instances occur for some time
4. Did it seem to you to pass from person to person or otherwise & why
5. If infectious, had you ever reason to suppose the contagion conveyed by articles of dress or other fomites –

Any other obsn^s you please

Address: D Giddy Esq^r / Tredrea / Marazion / <Port Looe> Cornwall // Clifton June tenth <eleven T.B.> 1803 / F Burdett
Endorsement: Doctor Beddoes / 1803 / June the 11^th
MS: Cornish Archives DG 42/9