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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 07/21/1912

    Baltimore, Md.

    July 21, 1912

    Dear Mother and Father,

    Dr. Cushing comes back tomorrow, my harvest is over, I am again a servant rather than master but I am young and cannot expect so much. I slipped some over on him this week. I did the broken back man and made a bully job of him. He is beginning to get better, whereas he was hopelessly lost, paralyzed below the waist. I did the operation as nicely as ever he did one and almost as quickly. It took two hours. The men stood around amazed at my nerve and talk a great deal about it, giving me numerous compliments.

    Goetsch seems a little downhearted as he has never done any of them. He helped me on the broken back man. The sup[erintendent] of the hospital called up soon after to see how the patient got along, also first thing the next morning. Evidently thinking I was treading on dangerous ground but he never said anything to me. Cushing could not have done better.

    I had several smaller cases during the week. Last night I operated on a 21 month old baby which fell and fractured [its] skull. It went nicely and now the baby is getting well. It was paralyzed on one side and had been having convulsions.

    But as I said the harvest is about over. Well I have certainly done one thing. If ever I lacked confidence and nerve, I think I have settled that forever. I have done practically everything Cushing does and so far have not had a death or bad result even to the smallest degree; whereas if I had had, I should not feel so very bad because Cushing has made some big ones himself.

    Dr. Bloodgood sent me a brain tumor case the other day. He told one of the big surgeons he sent it to me because I could do it better than he could. Well it is nice to talk a lot about yourself isn't it. I know you like it, so I may pardon myself a little on that account. I am not making so very much money however. There will be a panic however inside of a year and then I reap for good.

    We have not had such warm weather. For a solid week it has rained every day. Today it soaked my bed and floor.

    Regarding your advice along matramonial lines, I think it well given, but I cannot say I am so terribly worked up about it. I would rather be independent and No 1 than dependent and No 2. The money is all right but other things are better. I value the girl more than all the money and I wouldn't let the money interfere with future prospective happiness even to being a bachelor. You know a man of my temper and disposition (inherited) would be miserable if everything were not exactly right.

    You must have had a fine time in Isle of Man. Why don't you go back to Ireland again for a while? Sorry to know that even Papa gets sea sick when the Boss does not. Guess it isn't in the head after all!!.… I think this is about all at present.

    Your loving son, Walter

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