1806

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, February 1806

Dear Sir

The few traits in your letter seem to me to characterize your stomach complaint so exactly that one may venture to offer advice – The following plan generally relieves or cures – the disease being marked by diffused pain – commonly not increased by pressure – relieved by eating – in the extreme degree attended by sour vomiting – & indigestion of vegetables –

Opium though it disagree with the patient at other times, removes the cramp without secondary inconvenience, if you set the dose – ½, ¾, 1 grain dose – to which I add Ipecac gr ¼ or ½ – Ol. caryophyll: gtt i – Capsic annui gr i or ii or other spices – Iron often disagrees except as Bath or carbonated chalybeate water –

Outward heat relieves – is there a better way of applying heat than by scalded bran in a bladder –

In the intervals, some such composition as this
Bruised caraway seeds ʒii
Cinnamon ʒss
Columbo ʒi
Serpent: virgin: ʒiii
Semin: sinapis albi ℈ii
A little horse radish – if that is not indigestible – or Pyrethrum –

In two hours when cool add

Add boiling cinnamon water ℥v
Spirit ammon c ℥ss
— Aeth: nitros ʒvi

dose ℥ss ad ℥i bis die –

I do not wonder Mrs Watt sh^d complain of y^e stomach too – Moral causes induced or helped it on? – Guessing from constitution, I sh^d ask w^d not Cheltenham or artificial d^o relieve her? Also 2 or 3 leeches to pit of stomach – especially if in the faeces there be relaxation and turgid streaky bloodinesses – Q^y if this w^d not help y^r stomach also to a brisker circulation with sinapisms there or to the feet – if cold habitually

By sinapisms, I mean
Flour of mustard 1 part
Lintseed meal 2 to 5 parts –
Scraped horse radish q. s.

Salt a handful – make a poultice to cover the foot for 2 or 3 hours or as long it is not too painful – repeat it daily –

I am obliged to you for y^r advice to Mr Alcock – I do not expect any good either – The ministry is a chaotic composition – & as I think that we are ready to clamour for peace, so I suppose Mr Fox may end the war as Mr Addington began & Mr Pitt continued it just so as to answer the purpose of the formidable tyrant of France.

If you are not in the way of hearing opinions, I wish, if it were not too much trouble, you w^d give me yr^s & Mrs Watt’s – Mr^s Beddoes desires to be kindly remembered to you both

I am Dear Sir
Yr^s truly

Thomas Beddoes

Address: James Watt Esq / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Feb^y 1806 // prescription for the pain in my stomach – / Sinapisms ℞
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/048/05