July 4, 1918
Nice holiday! Miss Newell & I worked in the laboratory from 8-5 but I had a good time for the chief is back and he had time to explain his system to me. It's very detailed but must keep track of about everything that enters the door. Pardon me if I jump occasionally! We are putting off rockets in front of my window. As to the system we have A1, A2, etc. for all the autopsies, B1, 2, 3, for all bacteriology from hospital, OB for all outside bacteriology, S for surgical cases in hospital, OS for outside surgicals, and reports filed for everything and duplicated for mailing purposes, and slides of autopsies are kept for ever and slides for surgical cases for two years, etc, and blocks of tissue are filed and jars of tissues are preserved in series.
I like Dr. Graves so far - two days - very much. He's a big man, beginning to get bald and very slightly gray around the edges, wears glasses and white clothes and works hard and seriously. He has nice gray eyes and is very friendly and kind. In fact I owe him $15 already. He is going to pay me my June salary, the $100 to include my expenses in N.Y. since Mrs. Keiser was glad to have rent in advance - she has to pay thus - and the necessity of buying a 2nd ticket to Louisville had been somewhat of a strain on my purse. I was glad to take the temporary loan which he suggested until my check should come. It's fortunate I took it for salaries have been much delayed for the regular people and Miss Newell has needed part of my remaining few dollars in order to buy the morning papers.
I think I'm going to have a good time. Yesterday we had diphtheria, t.b, meningitis suspect, pruritus ani, perineal laceration, blood culture and an autopsy to work along at. The last was ghastly but entertaining in spots. It was the charming case of a man who cut his throat a few days ago, - a thorough job, going from one ear way around to the other and cutting through the trachea. It seemed to inconvenience him much less than a pain in his back. You can imagine the number of bacteria that would float into such a wound and the resulting condition. It wasn't what you'd call pleasant. It was my part to suck blood from his heart. The Dean of the Medical school, Dr. Tuley, obligingly did the searing. Pedro, our fascinating youngest [...], retired and told Miss Newell he knew I'd never stay after being called on to do such a horrible thing. Dr. Graves has sometimes in other years, done as many as ten autopsies in a day but that number isn't done now. However, I judge they won't be such infrequent treats as they were in N.Y. The morgue of the hospital is on our corridor with first class accommodations for 15 transients.
I'll enclose two things this time, one to show how Dr. Graves was entertained at his home coming. When it isn't so late - or when 7 o'clock doesn't come so early - I'll tell you more of our dining room. You'd better send some of your Faculty House kickers down here to board a week - but evenings they'd be spoiled at Lee Lewis's, the most attractive ice cream store you ever ate in. Cherry cobbler! Cream sandwiches! Bon-bons! Nothing equals them in Boston & N.Y. Now I must go to bed. Sorry I can't send you our neighbor's dog for a demonstration. Also a neighboring cat. Have a good time with your mixed class and here's much love for you
