From Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy   18 December 1808

Dear Giddy

Is not it very singular my complaints have terminated in the most complete indigestion conceivable no substance whatever undergoes any natural change in the stomach, fibres of meat shall lie thickly thirty hours & come up entire milk only coagulated – stomach in the strangest languid state a few days ago we were a good deal puzzled & alarmed as the liver gave out scarcely visible bile did that want mercury? However we are now very tranquil, feeling sure that all depends upon the weakness of the digestive organ and I have got much better, & weaker these two or three days & nights, but wine would infallibly acidify – we must stick to steel and tonics –

Yours truly

T Beddoes