Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood, 18 November 1807
18 Nov 1807
Dear Wedgwood
You are likely to have [xxxx] my letters more in number than in value – I think neck-swinging certainly good with the restriction which you state – The question is probably of no importance in the case. But in swinging by the arms I still suppose that the spine or vertebral column is supportsed the head – For no part of the weight can fall elsewhere unless a few muscles running up the cervical vertebrae receive any small share of the weight – This I think you wd see on inspecting the skeleton & then the layers of muscles –
If one knew the average time at a given age in which the whole skin is changed, one might know how long a curved spine ought to be in rectifying – because it is never the once formed spine that is made straight – but posture or machinery allows the new bones to take their standard position – And I think by great patience & art, the incurvated spine of an adult might be rectified, where the vertebrae are not destroyed; so that the 3rd & 4th being absorbed the 2nd & 5th, for example, touch – & perhaps even here Nature might be made to reproduce them, At least, I shd like to try – and my plan wd have nothing agt it but the irksomeness of decumbering
Your obsns on the inclosed plan I think just – only in 2 or 3 cases I found flushing & headache accompany the horizontal posture; which were removed by raising the head only; & this witht retarding the cure –
I wd say very little of the use of gasses – but from a very careful series of experiments on rabbits puppies & kittens I am persuaded that oxygen gas greatly promotes ossification in growing animals – I know of no harm which it cd do, unless it quickened the pulse, & then it might be discontinued, I suppose – It wd no doubt give me great satisfaction to observe yr B. a little – & very likely by reclining she wd not be hurt by the journey; & if she undertook it with particular alacrity, she might be benefitted in some respects – But I cannot flatter myself that she wd receive any great benefit from seeing me yrs truly
Thomas Beddoes
Pray give [MS obscured] Mrs Wedgwood AMB
Address: Josiah Wedgwood Esq. / Newcastle / Etruria / Staffordshire
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 1807
MS: WE/EL/1/1/L40–7057