Carver Hospital
Washington Nov. 23rd
My dear Brother
Yours of the
18th is before me, and I
may say, heartily perused
I had proceeded
thus far, when I was called
upon to attend a “Post-
Mortem” Examination of a man
who died very suddenly last
night, You may think this
strange work for me, but
I can tell you, that almost
every day, I have to be pres-
ent or at least, have to see
that plenty of water and
towels are at the disposal
of the operators, sometimes
two or three, and very often
[page 2]
8 or ten of the Surgeons are
present, according as the
case may be of importance
I have seen almost all
kinds of sights, since I have
been in the Army, and
especialy, here in the Hospital
I have closed the eyes, and
helped to remove, many a
poor fellow, to the Charnel-
house, whose spirit had fled
to its Maker, and would
that there they might remain
undisturbed until the burial,
but I suppose its is for the
welfare of the living that
the Surgeons gain all the
Knowledge they can, by ex-
amination after death. as
in very many cases here
it is difficult to determine
the disease,and its termination
consequently the necessity of
[page 3]
Post-Mortem.
this is the only
reasonable plea that I can
make for this practice.
The operation to day
consisted of removing the
back-bone, hence the Spinal
marrow, and Spinal column
and a therught thorough dis-
section of all its parts. next
came the removal of the
brain, which was laid upon
the table and Examined
also, as well as the veins
and arteries of the arms
and lower limbs. It
would have been a hard
sight, to those less accustomed
to it, but I have seen so
much of it, together of
with the amputation of limbs
both legs and arms, that
I can witness it unmoved
[right hand margin of page 3]
[?] that there never could be any pleasure
[upside down in top margin of page 3]
to any one to do it, were
it not necessary
[page 4]
I believe I told you in my
last that I was not nursing
any more?
I now have
charge of the Operating Room,
together with the Examining
Room, where the patients are
examined for discharges, or
furloughs as the case may
be. the Board of Examination
consists of three of the Surgeons
who, look at the men who
make their appearance,and
if in their power recommend
them for furlough or discharge.
Thus you see very many, are
getting leaves of absence to visit
home and friends, just as
dere to them no doubt, as
ours to us.
I also take
[page 5]
care of Dr. Robertsons room
he is the one who has
helped me more than
all the rest. A very fine
man, and a member
of the Presbyterian Church,
Rochester N.Y. where he resides
when at home.
He will I am
confident do all in his
power for me.
I am in hopes
to stay here all winter
as I have very comfortable
quarters, and an excellent
room-mate, the [Dr.?] & Cadet
D.W.C. Beebe from Vt.
I have been suffering
for two weeks from Neuralgia
in my face and hands
which has been very painful,
and all the sleep I have
had, in amount to anything
[page 6]
was when under the effect
of Morphine, or Chloroform,
the use of which I have be
come quite familliar with
here. During the time I have
had three teeth extracted on
the right side, and besides
my hair has become very
thin indeed, and the doctors
tell me that I will be
bald-headed, which I am
very much afraid of my-
self. You would hardly
know your brother deprived
of hair and teeth, would you?
I trust you will excuse
this poor writing etc. when
you know that my face
is still very sore & painful.
I have hurried this
along, at Rail-Road speed, as
I wanted to take a nap
if nature will assist me a
little
[page 7]
I have received a Photograph
of Mother, it very like
her, and with you I
prize it highly. they
have two or three [?]
at home now,
Will you not
ask Lizzie to have hers
taken with yours, or single
as she chooses, and send
them both to me the
earliest oportunity,
Please do so and
oblige
Yours Afectoinately
A. S. Bartholemew
Carver Hospital
Washington
D.C.
Love to all the friends
Do you ever see or hear
from the Spragues?
Write soon
As ever A.S.B.
