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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 12/08/1913

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Baltimore, Md.

    December 8, 1913

    Dear Mother and Father,

    Your letter just received and you say mine was late. That must be the fault of delivery because I always write the same day even if the date is wrong on the letter.

    Well everything is fine so far except that Dutchman is coming over and get ahead of everybody on the staff except Heuer and he is going to Germany. They are trading resident surgeons. I don't know how things are going to turn out.

    I think I will look to Chicago yet. Will probably go out there this Spring. I can't stay here forever. The man ahead of me is much discouraged and may possibly leave. I would possibly profit if he did but I don't imagine he will. He has been waiting a long time for the place and I don't believe he is the quitting kind. I still am a firm believer in "all things turn out for the best for everybody." I don't think Dr. Halsted likes the man above me and doesn't care how he treats him. But he treats me just the same. I may get to do the neurological surgery when Heuer goes to Germany and it is possible it might be an entering wedge. It is bad to plan the possibilities of the future, however, so it is better to "wait and see."

    Am working hard on the hydrocephalus paper. Dr. Howland said he thought it was the best piece of work ever to come out of America. Dr. Halsted told Dr. Mall one day he had just read one of my papers and it was just right. He said ordinarily he had to rewrite all papers turned over to him but this was unnecessary in my case. I got this from an "overhear." I think Dr. Mall will stick up for me. He and Dr. Halsted are great friends.

    Went to call on Mrs. Bloodgood and Mrs. Thomas yesterday, but the former wasn't in. Dr. Bloodgood wants me to write some popular articles for his father?in?law's journal. He is Henry Holt, the publisher. I met him at Cape May. I got a week lay off on account of it and got to do some writing.

    I am up for a talk at the medical meeting Monday. I hope I don't get nervous before such an assembly. Dr. Halsted said I was posted for a talk in Philadelphia December 29. So that means $7 or $8 expenses. I wish I really knew how he felt about me, though sometimes I think it better to get out of here as the salaries are so low.

    Haven't had time to write to "your girl." I will get a picture some day when possible. You know how I hate that, don't you, but that is no excuse.

    Your loving son, Walter

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