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Dr. Backus To Mason Cogswell, August 29, 1794

From: Letters To Mason Cogswell
Creator: Jno. Backus (author)
Date: August 29, 1794
Publication: Father and Daughter: A Collection of Cogswell Family Letters and Diaries (1772-1830)
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Yale Medical Library


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New Haven, Aug. 29, 1794.

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To Dr. M. F. Cogswell

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Hartford, Conn.

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My dear Sir:-

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I this moment rec'd your friendly letter of the 20th inst and cheerfully comply with your request. That we have a malignant putrid disease existing among us is a fact, that it has in the greatest number of instances where it has happened, proved fatal is also a fact. That it is a contagion specifically different from the epidemic that for months past has prevailed is acknowledged I think by every physician in New Haven but one. But we do not unanimously agree from whence it has originated. Like the Phyladelphia Physicians we split upon this one question whether it has been imported or not. I think whenever we have been requested to attend the meeting of the Authority and the question has been asked- Is it imported, or not, we have been divided about equally, I confess my opinion has been invariably given that it was not Imported, but it appears to me of little or no consequence. The material questions are how shall we prevent its further spread and relieve those already infected. As to the rest we are taking every precaution as you have doubtless in part learnt by a hand bill published the 13th Inst. We have in addition to that hired a set of nurses who are to live by themselves when not on duty and who are not to have intercourse with the Inhabitants at large. As to the second, we have I believe used too much one invariable mode of treating the patient. We are forming a Coalition among the Younger Practitioners that is all that I care anything about, and we intend to risque our reputation upon what appears to us a rational practice. We have begun to exercise the lancet and have I think in several instances seen good effects result from it.

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I thank you for your skeleton. I could only borrow it and that only for a few minutes. I have not tryed him enough either to approve or condemn. I will remit you agreeable to orders and depend upon punctual payment.

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I am, my Dear Cogswell,

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Yours with cordiality, Jno Backus

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