145 E. Forest Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan.
My dear Miss Turner;-
This is half past three in the morning and you are sound asleep in your snug bed. You might say - "What are you doing this time of night?" It is more night than morning for everywhere is darkness yet. I just delivered a twin case - two cute girl babies, seven pound & half each. I have never seen twins delivered myself, but I delivered as if this was of a single case. Everything went on well. I wish you could see the two placentas - how they inclosed themselves in one amnion. The twins were of head presentations - one O. L. A. other O. R. A.
I have been at this hospital just one month and I am certainly getting experience. I would not trade my profession with anybody. Every case is new & interesting. There isa big field in medicine for women. It only takes time and pantience to get the general public to have confidence in women physicians. Some of them do fine work. I am sure you are happy to know my record of this month.
1 Puerperium care - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40
2 Anesthetics - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40
3 Physical examinations - - - - - - - - - - - 60
4 Intramuscular injection of Hg prep [?] - 80
5 Vaccination - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
6 Confinement cases of [...] - - - - - - - - 13
7 Douches given - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
8 Diagnosis of I. B. C. - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2.
9 Out calls 10
10 Dressings changed 10
11 Diagnosis of G.C. 3
12 Perineorrhaphy 4.
I am on light Obstetrics and morning clinics. Between times I sleep, eat, and have a little walk. I try to look up the things I experienced in clinic. I had a beautiful case of gonorrhea ophtholmia at clinic this morning. I had a smear made - it confirmed my diagnosis. Well, I must not talk medicine to you all the time.
I shall stay here at Detroit for six months, then I am coming East. I have an appointment at College Hospital of Woman's Medicine, Philadelphia. I have seen quitea little since I have been in Detroit. I helped a doctor for two weeks at House of Correction. This is a place for bad girls of all kinds. I have never seen or heard certain things in my life. They are worth notice because they will help me in dealing with abnormal patients. I also had a chance to visit a catholic institution as a profession [sic] woman. Well, the bad condition surprised me.
I got your note in October, just the day I entered this hospital. It helped me for I was very homesick that day. My class-mate Dr. Sarah Marcus was here for summer. She did not get along well. She was the only woman intern. She had a hard time. I am the only woman intern here now. I was afraid that the men might treat me the same way. However I am alright so far. My policy is - "eyes open - ears open & mouth shut." Every college has her own way of doing things. If their ways are better than what I learned at Michigan University - I try to change mine. There are times I am puzzled at certain conditions. I openly tell them my ignorance. It is better to show my ignorance than to make a fatal mistake. The superintendent and our house physician told me that they like my work and they are very anxious to help in anything.
It is getting nearer toward my journey homeward. You know it is harder for me now than I just started. My home people are so anxious to have me back they just cannot wait. They want me to go back next year. I feel I ought to have two years internship.
I just wish that I can see you and talk to you face to face. So many things have passed during the past four years. Just think I have been here in America more than six years. I am glad that I came. I am glad that I studied medicine. I am glad that I am having this hospital training.
Write me whenever you can. Remember me to Miss Purington & your dear mother. A great deal love for yourself.
Nov. 2nd. 1920.
