Thomas Beddoes to Edward Jenner, 26 April 1806
Clifton, April 26
Dear Doctor,
A common Medical Friend tells me, that you are informed that I am an enemy to inoculation for the Cow Pock in place of the Small Pox. Nothing can be more false. I have incidentally contributed more to the Cow Pox Inoculation, I believe, than any person in or near Bristol: and I always recommend it to parents to take this security against a formidable disease, as the greatest service they can render to a young family. I may, perhaps, differ in opinion on one or two points from some friends of the Cow Pock Inoculation, as I shall soon explain; but this difference does in no respect interfere with my opinion, that it is among the most sacred duties of parents to insure the life, senses, and constitution of children, against so dangerous an invader as the Small Pox, by the practice introduced by you. What can I add farther, except that I have had two children inoculated for the Cow Pock; and that this very day another is to undergo the same process? Make any private or public use you please of these lines; and believe me, dear Doctor, with great esteem, yours
Thomas Beddoes
Address: Dr. Jenner, Physician, Berkeley
Published: The Gentleman’s Magazine (May 1806), 400