Elizabeth Cushier to Emily Blackwell, September 14th

Item

Title: Elizabeth Cushier to Emily Blackwell, September 14th
Type: Archival Letter
Abstract: Letter from Dr. Elizabeth Cushier to her partner, Dr. Emily Blackwell. Dr. Cushier discusses several patients she has seen, her struggles with home improvement work being done on their house, and expresses her excitement that her "own dear doctor" will soon be home.
Who wrote the letter: Elizabeth Cushier, M.D. (1837-1931)
Receiver of letter: Emily Blackwell, M.D. (1826-1910)
Date Written: September 14th, year unknown (c.1883-1910)
Transcription: Sept. 14th
The last days have been busy ones dearest Mrs. [Gxxx] was confined on Thursday, which means now daily trips to Harlem, + I also see [E----] [G-----] every day, beside the other odds + ends. There is not at present much [------] [pl—ti-], indeed very little, but I have been out of town to see a patient + have also seen for [you] Mrs. [Mill----] / (end p.1) who has had [dysentery]. About [E------][G----- ]. The case is a very serious one. When I saw her upon the day following my last letter I told the parents that it was a very serious thing + they suggested consultation. So then Dr Thompson was asked to see her with me. He takes a very unfavorable view of the case, even more so than I did. Thinks the best thing would be for her to be sent away, but decided that it is of no use to insist upon it. The family are fully arousd / (end p.2) to the danger + are doing all they can. I have a very sensible nurse + no one is admitted to the room excepting the father mother + brother, + this only to say a few words. All [--------] on [--------] is prohibited, + the pat. is encouraged to rest + sleep as much as possible. I have also engaged a [mossiur?], I am keeping her upon Hyoscyamine + Bromides, + with apparently good effect, during the past two days she has been less/ (end p.3) depressed, + less restless, + her face is much more natural. The family are in excellent spirits over her improvement but I should not be surprised at any [----] [-] have another outburst. She has been so bad as to curse + [-----] + say she must do it, + that it is because she is so sickly that she does do it. Then she would clasp her hands + hold them against her breast with her eyes fixed + would not answer nor wish to be spoken too again she would remain for a long time with her chin upon her [----] praying + would take no notice of anything. / (end p.4) The attacks have become much shorter + less severe but I think the eventual prospect for such a girl is but a poor one.
The reason for rest being decided upon is, that she was always worse after any exertion, + all attempts to [divert?] her which had been made before I saw her, were worse than useless. She takes to the rest very kindly, + says she enjoys it + thinks she is growing better. I have labored hard to make her feel that she is ill + not [------], which seems to be a comfort to her. I am glad you are not having the worry of it. I hope/ (end p.5) she may be better when you come [unclear] so dear you are in Boston, + so much nearer home, + I also hope the little home will be all right when you come. Things do drag so, + Mr [A----ly] was away + they will not put the second coat on until this week, + until this is done + the blinds on, I cannot have your office finished up + in order. the painters want to go in + out to the windows, + every wretch of a workman leaves his traces behind him. I have made [A----ly] promise me to have everything completed this/ (end p.6) week, + then dear by early next week everything will be in order + waiting for you.
Miss [C-------] spent this afternoon + took tea with me. She tells me that the [G----s] think very well of the Quaker school at Providence I promise you will [visit?] this among other schools.
The weather is lovely + I am glad that you will have cool days for your expeditions. -
Sophie is come again + I have the direction of the household but with Lucie’s help it does not bother me. L. has been very much better during the past few/ (end p.7) weeks + is busy with all sorts of things about the house + in Sophie’s absence superintends the many little details of housekeeping very satisfactorily, + for a few days when I was very busy it was such a relief to me –
It must have seemed [real] [sad] my own, dear doctor to say good bye to the [-----] for
a whole year - I often think of it with longing, + shall until I find myself on our [------] again. It is such a comfort to think of your coming back though, + such a pleasure to know that you will be
happy here, + that we shall soon be at work again together.
The new girls are so far quite satisfactory. They have filled in [-----]
fully well.
[Sideways, p1]: I am writing this [-----] [-----] from [------]. Please remember me kindly to your brother Mrs Lane + Alice + believe me as ever dear dear doctor with love from EMC
Source: Blackwell family. Papers of the Blackwell family, 1831-1981, Folder 187. To Emily. n.d.; includes letters from Emily Blackwell's companion, Dr. Elizabeth Cushier, from Mary Putman Jacobi, Marie Blackwell Droussart, and E.S. Minturn re: Harvard Annex entrance examinations., http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/47593387, seq. 57-61.; http://schlesinger.radcliffe.harvard.edu/onlinecollections/blackwell/item/47593387/57
Rights Holder: Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University