Thomas Beddoes to Ann Watt, 26 February 1806
Dear Madam
The day I recd your letter & yesterday I called on Miss Wittenbury & examined her carefully. The result is that she is in the first stage of consumption – I mean that there exist all the symptoms of extensive & considerable disorganization without purulent expectoration –
Such cases are by no means hopeless; & supposing no abscesses to have formed within the tubercles which I presume to exist, there is even a very considerable chance of recovery –
She complains almost as much of her nerves as of her cough – & her constitution is but feeble, but this is almost always the case in consumptive girls –
The school appears to be in a more flourishing condition than cd be expected – It will be certain destruction to her to take an active part in it – but as I suppose the disorder will be very much better or very much worse in 6 weeks, I think she could trust it for so long to her assistant. If you write, be so good as impress the necessity of abstaining from exertion of the voice – She is sensible of much injury herself from this cause, & last week appears to have aggravated the symptoms by it – for which she was bled at the arm with much fainting & weakness afterwards – I am only sorry she was not bled locally instead –
I shall with much pleasure do what I can for her & let you know how she goes on – If the method vex her, that is as bad almost as much speaking –
I shall be happy to hear of your getting relief as well as Mr Watt from your distressing stomach complaints – Will you make a progress to Cheltenham & Bath in case you do not get better at home? Qy whether water of the same tempe as Bath with a little Sal volatile (XX drops) & sweet spirit of nitre (XXX to LX drops) & X drops of T. ferr muriate will do Mr W. good – & artificial Cheltm do you good –
Mrs Beddoes is sensibly touched by the kind interest you & Mr Watt take in her and her little family & I remain Dear Madam yrs with the greatest regard
Thomas Beddoes
Address: Mrs Watt / Heathfield /Birmingham / 26 Feb
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes to Mrs Watt, Mar 1806 // Miss Whitenberry’s case / prescription for Mrs W.
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/048/06