Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England

(I975) vol 57

Letters from the past From John Hunter to Edward Jenner

Dear Jenner I rec'd yours with the Lel. The spawn of the conger was lost. I shall send you back the Eel again with the liver. stom-ach and gut removed, and nothing left but a Fninge which passes down the sides of the Back Bone, which I took and still take to be the spawen, but I never saw any difference in it at any time of the year, and this one you have sent is similar to all I have yet seen I think your stopping the Eels is a good scheme if you can, but I should suspect that they would be more slipery than Hedge Hogs. I do not know if Hedge Hogs burrows. about a month hence examine another and compare him with your notes and memory also examin his heat in the Pelvis Diaphragm xc. a month after that another xc. I like your expt on the Toad and snake, but bury them rather deeper and let the ground be keep'd moist about them especialy in the summer. I shall keep your letters but I expect in the end all your notes. I like your friend Ludlow much, he is a lively sensible fellow. I have got a few preparations for you. I am getting them put into a little order for you before I send them, are there no Batts in the old calstle of Berkley? I should like similar exp made upon them to those of the Hedge Hog. Mrs. H desires her compts to you. Blieve me to be most sincerly yours

JOHN HUNTER London Nov gth I 778