The medical side of Benjamin Franklin / by William Pepper.

  • William Pepper
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical side of Benjamin Franklin / by William Pepper. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    154/202 page 92
    Passy, April 29, 1785. To Jan Ingenhousz.1 . . . You will find an Acct. of the first great Stroke I received, in pages 161, 162, of my Book, 5th Edition, 1774. The second I will now give you. I had a Paralytick Patient in my Chamber whose Friends brought him to receive some Electric Shocks. I made them join Hands so as to receive the Shock at the same time, and I charg’d two large Jars to give it. By the Number of those People, I was oblig’d to quit my usual Standing, and plac’d myself inadvertently under an Iron Plook which hung from the Ceiling down to within two Inches of my Head, and communicated by the Wire with the outside of the Jars. I attempted to discharge them, and in fact did so, but I did not perceive it, tho’ the charge went thro’ me, and not through the Persons I intended it for. I neither saw the Flash, heard the Report, nor felt the Stroke. When my benses returned, I found myself on the Floor. I got up, not knowing how that had happened. I then again attempted to discharge the Jars; but one of the Company told me they were already discharg’d, which I could not at first believe, but on Trial found it true. They told me they had not felt it, but they saw I was knock’d down by it, which had greatly surprised them. On recollecting myself, and examining my Situation, I found the Case clear. A small swelling rose on the Top of my Head, which continued sore for some Days, but I do not remember any other Effect good or bad. The Stroke you received, and its Consequences, are much more curious. I communicated that Part of your Letter to an Operator, encourag’d by Government here to electrify epileptic and other poor Patients, and advis d his trying the Practice on Mad People according to your Opinion. I have not heard whether he has done it. . . In this same letter he reverts to that old hobby of his, infection remain¬ ing in dead bodies. 1 Jan Ingenhousz, 1730-1799. An eminent Dutch physician and chemist. About 1767 visited London where he met Sir John Pringle, through whom he became physician to the Empress Maria Theresa in 1772. After remaining in Vienna a number of years he travelled in France, Italy, etc., pursuing his scientific studies and experiments, and at last settled in London. Fellow of the Royal Society. Dr. Ingenhousz conveyed to Franklin an invitation from the Emperor to visit Vienna. There are in existence nearly a hundred letters of his to Franklin, but all but about fifteen of Franklin’s replies are apparently lost.
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image