Dr. William Osler,
No. 1 W. Franklin Street.
Baltimore, Md., Jan. 2nd, 1902.
Dear Shattuck: -
I do not know how in the dickens that note was left out on the high mortality among teetotalers. It must have been shoved out to make room for some other things.
With reference to typho-malarial fever, the coexistence of the two diseases of course must be recognized, but I think the statement is true that there is no hybrid malady -- no true separate disease typho-malarial fever, and I think the stronger such a statement can be made the better for the g.p.'s of the country.
Whether only post hoc or propter hoc, certainly an indiscretion in diet may be followed directly by a relapse, and it is possible, too, that it may be an association as Chiari suggests, with the flooding of the intestines with bacilli from the gallbladder.
What you think of Durham's views about relapse? I was so interested in them, and sorry I did not see them in time to incorporate them in the new edition.
Thanks for your suggestions about illuminating gas poisoning. Of course there should be a chapter on it, particularly as this is the centre of the greatest mortality. We kill more here from illuminating gas in a year I believe then all the other large cities put together.
With many thanks and best wishes for the New Year.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Wm. Osler