relieved
from pain, which must in her case have exhausted nature.

I could add much more in favour of this great boon, but will not trouble
you with a tedious letter.

In conclusion, let me offer my sincere thanks to you for devoting your
time and talents to the discovery of so wonderful and useful a practice
in the most important branch of your profession; and you will, I am
sure, be fully repaid by knowing the amount of suffering you have
prevented, and, I may also add, the lives you have saved.

You are at liberty to show this letter to any one, or to refer them
personally to me.

It is my opinion that too much cannot be said in praise of your
beautiful process.

I remain,
Dear Dr. Townley,
Yours most sincerely,
* * *

* * * * *

Stockwell.

My dear Sir,

Allow me to express my gratitude for your kind care and attention to me
during my two last confinements, and the great benefit I derived from
your mode of relieving the dreadful pains of childbirth.

When consulting you in the year 1859 relative to my approaching
confinement, which I very much dreaded, having upon two previous
occasions suffered intensely the pains of labour for the space of nearly
two days each time, I gladly accepted the proffered relief you offered
me, though I was somewhat sceptical it would afford me all the relief
you considered it was calculated to convey.

I now beg to state, for the information of any who may never have
participated in its inestimable benefit, that both in 1859 and in the
last month (March, 1861), I am perfectly convinced it has been under
Providence the means of saving my life; that its marvellous effects are
such that pain is scarcely felt or known; and while inhaling the vapour
there is not the slightest degree of unconsciousness. I was able to
converse and give directions with the same ability and readiness of
perception as a person in the most perfect health would do; in addition,
I may also state, that whereas in my previous labours I had always
suffered much pain from distension and soreness afterwards, in the two
last there was a total absence of both these inconveniences.

I cannot but express my fervent thankfulness for your skill and
watchfulness during my hour of need, and should only be too happy to
testify personally to any one expecting to take it, that they need be
under no apprehension whatever from ill effects, at