Introduction

Abstract

Thomas Beddoes died on 24th December, 1808 at the age of forty-eight, a disappointed and lonely man. He had hoped that the new chemistry of gases would provide means of treating disease, in particular pulmonary tuberculosis, an especially tragic condition, since it was both widespread and invariably fatal. With considerable courage Beddoes set himself to make a scientific test of this hope. The Pneumatic Institute which he brought into being was the culmination of his plans. Active only for the three years 1798—1801, it is for this Institute that Beddoes is chiefly remembered; often it is pointed out as the place where Humphry Davy began his career or, less seriously, as the scene of foolish episodes in which nitrous oxide was breathed for the sake of a novel and amusing experience. Yet it has been remembered too as “one of the first of the now familiar research institutes” and as such the seriousness of its work has been recognised. Beddoes’ effort ended in failure but it was a humane and reasonable endeavour, supported by serious and practical men. Thomas Wedgwood’s contention that the attempt was worthwhile for itself, even to establish a negative result, was right and had it been remembered a much fairer estimate of Beddoes’ work might have been made. The circumstances of the time and, it must be admitted, Beddoes’ own misjudgements defeated him. Much that was interesting and worthwhile in his work has been forgotten, the failures remembered with scorn.