Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood, 18 August 1807
Dear Wedgwood
Most of the curvatures of the spine which I have seen have been lateral – & so evident that childrens friends have perceived them – & in the course of growth the spine has got straight upon lying down, taking medicines, friction to the part, hanging by the hands afterwards – I dare not assert that the duration was as great as in yr sketch – it might have been greater however – I think it a good thing where there is no pain to have the patient rubbed on the curved part for half an hour or more twice a day – & not very hard – dry or with oil as you like – I think the rapid growth in this instance is very favourable to the issue of the practice but will she not get too tall? – I have been accustomed to give iron & digitalis – iron / viz Tinct. Ferr. Muriat: / muriate of lime & digitalis – in all cases where I found fever or any phthisical tendency. I cd have shewn you nearer 1000 than 500 cases upon the books of the institution where this has been done & it is now a practice in many hands here – I have used the conjunction in every variety of scrophula – in chlorosis &c
I never I think used it where there was no tendency to fever or inflammation – But as I suppose the digitalis to be a tonic or stimulant, in very small doses it may be of use more generally – I do not see any urgent occasion for it now –
I think it very useful after the progress of the disorder is stopped & the patient has acquired that increase of robustness which I never saw lying down fail to give to hang upon something like the top of a door – suppose a roller fixed high & covered with cloth – the back being turned towards the door & the hands grasping backwards – this for a few minutes – with both hands & a little with one hand –
Had yr letter been one or two days later, it might have wasted 2 or 3 posts, as I shall be away in visiting an invalid so long –
I shall keep yr letters & refer to it in case you have any future communication to make – remember me at home – I am Dear Wedgwood
yrs very truly
Thomas Beddoes
19 Aug 1807
I do not know if it wd be good to mark the skin along the curve of curvature with solution of silver in nitrous acid – As the skin is not drawn with the vertebrae, these will get nearer the perpendicular & desert the superficial mark – But you must dye deep or renew – or the mark will become obliterated – Consider this at least
Address: Josiah Wedgwood Esq. / Etruria / Newcastle / Staffordshire
Endorsement: T Beddoes / Augt 18 / 1807
MS: WE/EL/1/1/L40-7054