From Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood   17 November 1807

Dear Wedgwood

I had an opportunity of conversing with Baynton – He thinks as I foresaw that y^r young lady is going on most unfortunately – King’s opinion does not differ –

You w^d have no objection to apply local stimulants productive of no suffering, of which friction is one – Blisters & setons are out of the question – A mustard poultice, included compleatly in a cloth & laid largely on the part affected w^d enliven nature. Also ether confined over the skin – These applications may of course be alternated with friction –

While writing these few lines I receive an authentic history of a machine case in a girl of 14, who has gone from bad to worse – & in whose back Mr King is to-day going to insert setons – I have not learned who has been the machinist – I do not apply this to y^r case, only it goes to shew that machines are never better perhaps & generally worse – than the other plan –

I remain
Dear Wedgwood
Y^rs truly

Thomas Beddoes

17^th Nov. 1807

Have you heard of Davy’s splendid discovery of the decomposition of the fixed alkalis –