Thomas and Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 14 December 1808
Dear Giddy
Strange vicissitudes in my health – After the bleedings no danger – & on my return from Wales I resumed my old looks &c – being a little weak only – It had formerly answered to add very small quantities of good non off xxxx souring wine to water at dinner – I did so & felt wonderfully recruited & dined early – Well in a fortnight heats arose suspicious pains in the liver – I felt off so as to be obliged half the day to lie on the bed – No other symptom – Leeches blisters & a little mercurial have brought me quite round.
[In Anna Beddoes’s hand:] Several days however passed without with alarm & fatigue to Anna indeed nights of fatigue worse than days – the long nights & my restlessness – for a long time I shall pursue the strict cool regimen & drink nothing but water & slops – eating most cautiously –
It would however be of the greatest importance if I could drink a moderate quantity of wine with impunity my excessive susceptibility to the heat & cold & many bad habits of constitution would be corrected by it in some degree. Yours, namely to take a teaspoonful & so increase by degrees, not at dinner is the most ingenious suggestion I have heard towards effecting the progress – & if I get three months firm on my legs I will try it – not thinking it prudent or just to the expert to begin sooner – my compts to Mrs Giddy
yours truly
TB
Dr B has I assure you been extremely ill – I have hardly even feeling left – when my head is a little less confused I will write to you – but not now as I cannot – I have begun twice already – thank you for your letters or notes – yours very affely
AMBeddoes
Address: Davies Giddy Esqr MP / Horsham near Lambshurst / Eastbourn / Sussex
Doctor Beddoes / 1808 / Decr the 14th
MS: Cornish Archives DG 43.64