From Thomas Beddoes to Thomas Wedgwood   31 October 1794

Clifton 31 Oct^r 1794

Dear Sir

In some districts I have the satisfaction to inform you that the business on which I lately wrote to you is going on with great activity with what success is not yet known. Dr White of St Edmondsbury proposed an abstract as on the next leaf for country newspapers & handbills. I think this a good idea. If you think so too, you will, I doubt not, bestow a few shillings in carrying it into execution; either by insertion in a newspaper or separate publication.

Mrs Abram of Bath (the Mrs A of Dr Ewart ) is still mending so rapidly that I fully expect a compleat cure & if in her case, in almost every case of cancer, for here there were no circumstances to perplex one’s judgment & I sh^d apply the remedy to other cases with full confidence of removing the pain & much hope of effecting a compleat cure – I know from observation & communication that in every species of bad ulcer & abscess, the same effects have been produced – On the other hand, I have great trust, & not merely from hypothesis, in oxygen – Have you seen Mr Watt’s apparatus: perhaps you can suggest some improvement.

If I knew how to transmit a paper on flints to you through some MP, I have one at your service. It will not, I know, be well received by you philosophers of the Wernerian school. I shall desire a no. of proposals to be sent to you from Shropshire:

I am D^r Sir
Yours with true regard

Tho^s Beddoes

The attention of the liberal and humane is just called to a project <subject> of high importance. Incontestable proof has been given that the application of airs or gasses to the purposes of medicine is both practicable & promising. There is, for instance, the best reason for hoping that cancer <& consumption> the most dreadful of human maladies, may by some of these substances be disarmed both of it terror & danger. With the approbation therefore of persons of the highest respectability both in the medical profession & out of it; a proposal is brought forward for forming a Pneumatic Institution; of which the object is to ascertain the effects of elastic fluids in many dangerous & hitherto incurable diseases. In some cases rooms filled with modified air will be requisite to a compleat [xxxx] trial which is one principal reason for a temporary establishment. The Institution will be conducted with the utmost publicity. The expence is estimated at 3 or 4000 pounds; which when properly applied, will <hardly fail to> afford some decisive result. Individuals & the public may take measures in consequence so that no further second donation need be solicited for the present purpose. A paper by Dr Beddoes of Bristol Hotwells describing the plan, mentioning the Trustees, the London bankers & stating further particulars is left with [blank space] where persons disposed to contribute are desired to give in their names & subscriptions.

10 gs each for house, furniture & c

5 gs annual for current expences

TW

Can you alter the advertisement a little? I think consumption ought to be mentioned. Return me the letter & I wish H. Wood would write out the advertisement on three sheets of paper & that you would send me the names of the News printers of Birmingham. Send the letter by a boat.
MS: WE/WM/1/1/1/WM35.6