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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 03/05/1914

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Baltimore, Md.

    March 15, 1914

    Dear Mother and Father,

    Well I don't have a great deal new to tell you. The Philadelphia trip was the most important event of the week. It was a very nice trip. I didn't think of what I was going to say until the morning of the day and left here at 4, got to Philadelphia at 6 and talked at 8:15. Probably for the first time I did not experience any sensation of nervousness whatever in anticipation. I talked without notes and did fine. Blackfan said if I talked as forcibly and with as much enthusiasm as you I would forget what I was talking about and would have to read it.

    I was met at the station by a Dr. Gittings with his automobile and went to his house for dinner. Had a very nice evening there before time to speak. Donned my full dress clothes and really felt very comfortable in them. Rather liked them. Many notables were there, Dr. Spiller, Americas foremost neurologist Dr. Frazier-Cushing's nearest rival in brain surgery and his assistant and many others. They all complimented the work very highly.

    It is very interesting that Frazier's assistant had been doing exactly the same work on hydrocephalus that I had and had obtained the same results, so he said, but I doubt it. He must have known of my work for it would have been impossible to have duplicated the work without knowing. He was very nice and stated before the society that everything he had done was at least two years after I had done mine and that he corroborated everything I had done. He was very sociable and took me all through the University of Pennsylvania.

    Dr. Frazier was called out of the meeting while I talked and did not get to discuss it. I saw him operate next day. He is a bum operator. I believe even I could do better than what I saw him do.

    Dr. Spiller invited me to make rounds with him and showed me some very interesting nervous cases. The next day I spent going through the University and had lunch at the aristocratic University Club with a Dr. Hammel. It was a most pleasant trip. Was only gone 24 hours and had all expenses paid. We had an exceptionally good crowd.

    Dr. Howland went up the next day for a lecture but there were only a few present. They gave him great accounts of my speech. Have just turned in the hydrocephalus paper to Dr. Halsted and Dr. Howland and it will soon be on its way to publication.

    Haven't heard any more news about next year. The man Cushing wrote down about is trying very hard to worm in but I hardly see how he can get anything. I believe I will eventually and soon get brain surgery and I think that is what I want now.

    I forgot to tell you that Frazier's man is taking or trying to take out pineal glands in dogs, and he uses exactly the same instruments that I do but he got his first so that neither knew what the other had. It was a very unusual coincidence. I told him not to show me anything, but to get his work out as I was on his trail and wanted to give him fair warning.

    It is beautiful spring like weather. I wish it were so that I could tell you to come right away but I guess it is better to wait a little and be sure.

    Had to buy a pair of black shoes to wear to Philadelphia. Cost me $5.50. I got all my clothes just in time and I was pretty hard up for them too. I am afraid to let you get me a piece of goods as I am so hard to please. I don't think I will ever economize on clothes or anything else anymore. There is too much satisfaction in having good things. Am glad you like my picture so well. It is the best I ever had taken.

    Stocks are again away down. The good old days are not so frequent now. But they will come again. I forgot to tell you I got an announcement of Ethyl Stanleys wedding to someone in Kentucky. I am very glad. I seems as though they all get married but I still stay on alone, even despite attempts on your part.

    Well I don't know of anything more to tell you. I have filled three "sheets" as you call them which is doing pretty well for such a bad start.

    Your loving son, Walter

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