From Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood   20 March 1800

Dear Wedgwood,

I have a patient (& have had several) younger than B. who have taken digitalis with advantage – The quantities for a dose vary as 50 to 1 for adults – & of course there can be no stated quantity for children I should think B. might take 3 drops every 8 hours – & go on <increasing the number> till it affect the pulse or stomach or spirits <or the symptoms> – it will certainly remove the symptoms you describe – If the necessary quantity rise as high as 10 drops I should put 12 hours between the repetition – But I suppose children to be less endangered by a proportional overdose than adults – I suppose this from having several times seen the digitalis-sickness very transient in children – But I cannot accuse myself with having done permanent mischief in any case –

Y^rs truly

T.B.

20 March. 1800.

P.S. I suppose I need hardly apprize you of the propriety of heating or cooling her as she is cold or hot — At the onset of the hot cold fit, hot wine & water, & heat applied to the stomach — During the heat, I w^d cool her by tepid water poured over her.