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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 05/11/1914

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Baltimore, Md.

    May 11, 1914

    Dear Mother and Father,

    I am unable to explain the delay of my letters reaching you except on the general basis that everything in Baltimore is very slow. I always see the man at the bottom take the letter to the box and hear the box close so that can't be the reason. However, hereafter, I will mail it myself to be sure. You can't depend much on my dates as I can't keep them straight.

    I think probably Fall would be a better time to come. Things would be more certain probably.

    I haven't heard anything more definite about next year, but I think things are more favorable every day. Heuer goes to Germany June 1-10 and I get to do all the neurological surgery at least until he gets back. At least I am sure I will. He comes back again as resident, I believe, which I think is the professor's subtle way of getting rid of Dr. McClure who is ahead of me and next in line for the residency. He has been 6 years now waiting for it. But as I once before told you, the Professor does not like him and I think that is why and how he is trying to get rid of him. McClure has evidently let it be known that if Heuer stays he will leave and that seems to be the professor's solution of diplomacy as he never fires anyone outright. He usually lets it be known to those higher up that he does not like a man and he finds it out and becomes quite uncomfortable and leaves of his own accord. The Professor once thought McClure was a good man but has since reversed his judgment. McClure has been offered Dr. Young's residency in the new building and may take that. If things work out as they look upon the above speculation, I may be resident September 1915 or before if I am still in good graces of the chief. The Professor seems very much elated over my work.

    I have 9 pineal dogs living now, and have not lost any by operation. They all live after too. Last Saturday, I took out pineals in two puppies which were just 15 days old and they are still alive and doing well so far. That was quite a wonderful feat, I thought, and so did Dr. Halsted. He said I must see you do one and so must Landois (his German acquisition). I said I should be very glad to do so any time. He went over to the Hunterian one day just after I had finished an operation (pineal) on a 5 week old puppy and saw the puppy walking around. He was greatly pleased. He wanted to know everything about it from the boy in the laboratory. He told him it took 4 hours, which was the hardest operation I had ever had. It usually takes 2½ to 3 hours. He wanted to know what I used all the instruments for and everything. He was amazed at operating 4 hours on such a small puppy and having it look so well and was greatly impressed with the magnitude of the operation. He said that makes it all the more interesting. He paid all the bills without a murmur and said he was sorry the pleasure could not be his to pay them out of his own pocket.

    I worked from 9 until 3 Saturday solidly, getting out the two 15 day puppies and I was certainly happy when they were successfully completed. I thought of the progress I have made from a universal mortality. Dr. Halsted wanted to know when I got the puppies. I told him I went out in the country and found them myself. He seemed to like that very much, evidently thinking I was on the job. He said I must get out a preliminary publication soon so as to establish priority and that I must do. I don't believe, however, anyone can get the pineal but people often lose by being cock-sure.

    The weather is beautiful. Spring has just come about 1 month late. I hardly know what to advise about clothes, but I am sure I am too difficult to please. I appreciate your desire just the same.… I don't need any money for some time but will let you know when I do. Stocks are pretty low now, but I went in for a gamble and am a good sport if I lose it all. But I won't. I sent $720 to Porter as you suggested. I haven't heard from him yet. I still think you ought to go to Paris, Edinburgh, and Ireland again.

    You don't seem to say so much about Lena any more. I guess I was pretty cold about it but I am more cautious than I used to be.

    Your loving son, Walter

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