From Thomas Beddoes to Samuel Latham Mitchill   22 August 1797

I send you by Mr. Garnet, a proof of the vigour with which the experiments on the anti-syphilitic powers of the septous acid have been prosecuted in this country. It appears, even in respect to its certainty, a medicine superior to any mercurial. Nevertheless, I have collected the account of some failures, without being able to say on what the difference of the result depends; a case so common in medicine.