1807

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 22 November 1807

My dear Sir

I am going to consult you on a point of physiological mechanics. My question is very simple in the statement – viz – What w^d be the most accurate contrivance for taking a person’s height? I w^d also have the means of a measurement of the several parts – In attending to scrophulous patients, I have often seen great irregularity of growth – To mention one late instance, I pretty certainly assured myself that a girl with diseased mesenteric glands lengthened as much in the neck as in the whole body put together – & from grosser observations I know that this inequality took place where there is a tendency to consumption & the contrary where there is a tendency to apoplexy – I believe I must request you not to speak of these facts at present – I shall state them soon in the report from the Instⁿ which will be printed this winter – But I want the best means for obtaining exacter admeasurements hereafter –

I had a single long conference with Mr R. Boulton on his health – My ideas are that his liver & digestive organs are diseased, but not profoundly – However I drew up a memorial for Dr Carmichael’s correction –

I have got fat but not strong – However I do not complain. The late & the present times I sh^d think must inspire us all with resignation – Amid so much ruin, why sh^d I expect to escape without a hurt? My wife promises to be better than for a long time past – I seem to have hit upon an alternative, which has produced good effects –

I suppose you know that Davy has decompounded the alkalis with circumstances as extraordinary as ever took place in any chemical discovery – the production of new bodies, which may, I think, be named ethereal metals – I was happy to hear of y^r good health – – & hope Mrs Watt shares in the same I remain – Dear Sir yr^s very truly

Thomas Beddoes

22 Nov. 1807

Address: James Watt Esq / Heathfield / Birmingham // Bristol November twenty first 1807 / free Tho^s Estcourt
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes Nov^r 22^d 1807 // wants instrument for measuring the heights of his patients
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/048/11