Bert C. Ball Letter to Dr. Hans Peter Andersen - December 20, 1917
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[December 20, 1917] Dear Hans, Having put several patients to sleep to day and last night I shall now try my hypnotic powers on a good friend but using the pen instead of the Ether. So when you have finished this short epistle don't be surprised if you can feel as if you impersonated old Rip Van himself in preference to receiving some news from sunny France. The chap who first said Sunny France either saw a different part of the country or was well under the influence of Benedictine, Bloch, & White or some other delusion agent. Hans I was very glad to get that letter of yours. By gut it recalled many pleasant memories as well as gave me a lot of news. First several statements of the latter comment. The pediatric questions were good. A bunch of us went over them together. While we had a fair conception of most of the subjects questioned many of them had slipped our memory. Our Pediatrics Prof has been at the Cle. S. for several weeeks. Expecting him to return any time. I think you did well to receive an 9 on that quiz. I have never written to any of the boys except the Sweden The last time
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he had just returned to school, and apparently was sober. He gave me some news about the boys at the Frat House, or rather those who used to be there. Some fortnight ago we were [ms illegible: 1 wd] with our additional help. I had a short chat Lohr and a still shorter one with Dr. Thomas. The latter giving you best wishes to me. The compliment is returned with a Merry Xmas & pleasant New Year among your friends in the States. Dr Bell is with us again after a few weeks in the Hospital form Diphtheria. Withers has also returned from the same place and was there for the same reason. The climate here seems to be agreeing with Joe very much, "Bully" beef and beans have added about 30 lbs to his avoirdupois. Yet he doesn't enjoy army (or rather Hospital) life here any too much. He is working in the Lab for Dr Opie. Now you should know about how much school work we are getting. In brief this consist of one lecture every night from 630-730, except Sat. & Sun- The rest of the night is spent in a variety of ways, surely is peaceful.
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slumber, cause the convoys of sick & wounded must be received others like wise disposed of. Every 3rd night we sleep with all clothes (except shoes) on so that we will not delay the guerre when the warning of an incoming or outgoing arrives. The medics work does not end with this [ms illegible: 1 wd] for if there are cases that need operation the same is done immediately. [ms illegible] There is a great deal that is real fascinating about the work. The day is spent almost exclusively in the wards except those in Surgery spend the afternoons in the operating room. taking time about scrubbing up and [ms illegible: 3 wds]. There are a lot of other things that are much more interesting and especially to the medic, but are censored, About those anatomy books, if you haven't already sold them don't do so for less than $35.00. If you can get that price let them go and deposit same to my credit in night & day Bank. Withers says give you his best regards. He is coming along very well and doing some good work. We have seen quite a great deal
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of head surgery and a stupendous amt of [ms illegible: 1 wd] lesions and still more functional [ms illegible: 1 wd]. For these reasons and many others, among which being the personal interest he took in a student that was interest in his work, we have repeatedly regretted the the absence of Dr. Sochs. In toto we getting a great deal of work and still more is in store for us I think. Give my regards to Mrs. Baumgartner. Also call up Mrs. Burke and wish her a Merry Xmas from the boys here. I shall write her soon. By the way I cann't recall the acquaintance of the very close friend you mentioned. Wouldn't you tell a chap enough so that he could connected up memory into a definite conception of a past acquaintance? A funny incident happened yesterday. Some German prisoners marched under guard of course and a cook that was standing near played the "Watch on the Rhine." and the ranking German -N.C.O. gave "eyes sight" and the Boche did the Goose-step in grand style. Many similar small incidents happened that are comical contrasted with the seriousness of the Great Adventure.
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much among the personnel. Hans I can't refrain from expressing the deep gratitude with which I learn of the march that you had retaken a hotel of your work and that solid determination to make good. Though many have predicted a bad out come, as you know, but I for one couldn't see why that you are not in full command of the situation and will steer the old boat right straight across. I wish that you could be able to join us soon. Say remember me to Miss Miller. Just the mere writing of that name gives me a sinking feeling around my cardiac apex. Another good reason why I miss W.N. I must relieve Hans and get a little sleep. [ms illegible] Give all my friends, if you can find such there, my best regards. And here is success to you Hans. Your friend Bert C Ball Base Hosp #21 A.E.F. France.
Details
| Title | Bert C. Ball Letter to Dr. Hans Peter Andersen - December 20, 1917 |
| Creator | Ball, Bert C. |
| Source | Ball, Bert C. Bert C. Ball letter to Dr. Hans Peter Andersen. 20 December 1917. Andersen, Hans Peter, Papers, 1909-1920. R0832. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this December 20, 1917, letter to his Washington University colleague Dr. Hans Andersen, Bert C. Ball discussed his work at Base Hospital 21. Ball, a Missouri native, served as a ward orderly in France during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Base Hospital 21; World War, 1914-1918--Medical care; United States. Army. Medical Corps. |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | R0832 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 20, 1917 |
| Language | English |