Simpson writes to Waldie

Edinburgh 14 November 1847

My Dear Sir,

I had the chloroform for several days in the house before trying it, as, after seeing it such a heavy unvolatile-like liquid, I despaired of it and went on dreaming about others.

The first night we took it Dr Duncan, Dr Keith and I all tried it simultaneously, and were all ‘under the table’ in a minute or two.

I write in great haste, as I wish to scribble off several letters.

Be so good as to say what you think may be the ultimate selling price of an ounce of it? Duncan and Flockhart charge 3s for the ounce.

There has been great demand for the pamphlet yesterday at the booksellers’ here.

Yours very truly

J.Y. Simpson

PS By the by, Imlach tells me Dr P. is to enlighten your medical society about the ‘morality’ of the practice. I have a great itching to run up and pound him. When is the meeting?

The true moral question is, ‘is a practitioner justified by any principle of humanity in not using it?’ I believe every operation without it is just a piece of the most deliberate and cold-blooded cruelty.