November 23, 1873 Letter From Samuel Guinn Bittick to Emily A. (Ewing) Bittick

[Courtesy of Alice Dollahan]

[written on Medical Department letterhead?]

(Picture of the University of Louisville Medical Department, Corner of Eighth and Chestnut Streets)

FACULTY
J.M. BODINE, M.D.,
Professor of Anatomy and Dean of the Faculty
LUNSFORD P. YANDELL, JR., M.D.,
Professor of Materia Medica and Clinical Medicine.
E.R. PALMER M.D.,
Prof. Of Physiology and Histology and Secretary of the Faculty.
T.S. BELL, M.D.,
Professor of the Science and Practice of Medicine and Public Hygiene.
JNO. E. CROWE, M.D.,
Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children.
JAMES W HOLLAND, M.D.,
Professor of Medical Chemistry and Toxicology.
D.W. YANDELL, M.D.,
Professor of the Science and Art of Surgery and Clinical Surgery.
R.O. COWLING, M.D.,
Professor of Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery.

Louisville, Ky. November 23^rd 1873

My Dear Wife

I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received a letter from you this morning and one from Pa bearing date Nov 13^th. I was exceedingly glad to get them. I have notheing to write of any interest. The boys are all well and noisy and devilish. I like a little fun now and then but our crowd carries it a little too far sometimes. We have got too many in our room but I reckon it is a very good remedy for the blues. I have got along without having the blues most of the time now and then I count the weeks and days between now and the First of March and it seems a good while off. (Page 2) But I can manage to get along Pretty well as long as I keep well and able to pursue my Studies. My eyes are giving way getting very weak I cant read by candle light hardly at all but I reckon it is reading too much. I was sorry to hear of your Diarrhoea. I wrote in my last letter directing your to take Quinine and Iron. I want you to continue the Quinine about four grains every night for a couple of week and in addition to this you must send to the Springs the first opportunity you have and get Eight ounces of Elixir Calasaya Ferrum and take one Teaspoonful twice daily before eating. You will be apt to get this at Bass’ Drugstore, It is a good tonic and if you get this, leave off the Tuict of Iron. At the same time you send for this send and have the following prescription filled To Wit:

Diarrhoea Mixture

Prepared chalk

White Sugar and Gum Arabic

Pinch of Kino ??

Laudanum gtts 40

Peppermint water enough to make 6 ounces

Dose Tablespoonful. Three of four times a day.