From G. C. Oxenden 27 September [1862]1
Broome
Sept 27—
Dear Sir
I rather think that the “Ozonised Fluid” is a very clean, pure, neat solution of the
“Per-manganate of Soda—”2
So small a dose as 10 drops, could not, by possibility, produce any appreciable effect whatever, save & except a sensation of purity in the mouth & Tongue—
—You should, at the Outset, take a Teaspoonful of the Fluid in a full Wine glass of Water, four or five times a day, or even more often—3
—Then, in a fortnight, increase the dose of Fluid to a Dessert Spoonful, in a large Wine-glass of Water—& stick at this for a Month—by which time you will surely know & feel whether you are the better for it—
—In no case, can it by possibility do any harm— —& ultimately, it might be used as daily diet Drinks, (in lieu of Beer or claret,) well diluted with Water—
—It does not in any way impede digestion—but, as a rule, it is best to take it upon an Empty, or half-empty Stomach— —(which rule applies to every description of Medecine)—
—I myself take it with avidity, as a matter of luxury, just as I wd. use Eau de Cologne—or Soda Water—
—I conceive this Ozonised Fluid to be quite capable of arresting, & preventing, Diarrhœa, but I have never tried it—nor had need—
—Lastly, I believe the cheaper, stronger, preparation of the same (sold by every Chemist) will be found eminently sanative & prophylactic, (by absorption) if largely added to the Water of a tepid Bath, & especially in, & after, Fever—.
—If anything farther strikes me, I will write— | Your’s sincerely | G. Chichester Oxenden
Footnotes
Bibliography
Condy, Henry Bollmann. 1862. Air and water: their impurities and purification. London.
Summary
Thinks "ozonised fluid" is a pure solution of permanganate of soda. Sends dosage.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-3740
- From
- George Chichester Oxenden
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Broome Canterbury
- Source of text
- DAR 173.2: 60
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 3740,” accessed on 26 November 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-3740.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 10