I am sitting up and feel much better or stronger but the least agitation talking or anything even eating I will be covered with prespiration but dear Mother I am so anxious about my hand I fear I shall lose my thumb [2]X
In November 1868 Hannah suffered from a painful infection on her left thumb which Mother Whitman describes in a letter to Walt Whitman (dated November 11-14, 1868, Walt Whitman Archive) as "erysiplas" — erysipelas, a bacterial infection similar to cellulitis. I cant see it gets feels or looks much better, it pained me last night more than usual asked Dr Thayer [3]X
Dr. Samuel White Thayer Jr. (1817-1882) graduated from Vermont Medical College in 1838 and moved to Burlington in 1852. Although his practice was general medicine, his specialty was surgery, and he performed numerous amputations. Professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Vermont from 1854 to 1871, he served as surgeon general of Vermont during the Civil War. See H. Royce Bass, The History of Braintree, Vermont (Rutland, VT: Tuttle, 1883), 58. if it would be six months before it got better he could not tell I asked if it would be three months before he said yes. I asked if I would lose the use of my hand he said no, but I would never have a perfect hand such severe cases always left its effects, I am very uneasy about it I cant bear to be so helpless I shall learn to do some thing with one hand I shall try View PageFull size in new windowto sew when I get stronger, my sickness has been hard for all about me its the most troublesome to care for of all diseases now I dress my hand & I hope soon to be able to do most things for myself I can walk, — yesterday is the first I walked alone, — I wish dear Mother I could come home I want so much to see you all once more, if my hand would only get better, I shall write to you often now dear Mother you cant tell how I have longed for letters from home, Mattie [4]X
Martha Emma Mitchell Whitman (1836-1873) married Thomas Jefferson Whitman on February 23, 1859. Affectionately known as Mattie, not much is known about her background prior to her marriage. Jeff and Mattie moved in with Mother Whitman shortly after their marriage. In 1867 Jeff accepted a position as chief engineer and superintendent of waterworks in St. Louis, Missouri. Hannah refers to Mattie getting better, but Mattie began to suffer from chronic illnesses beginning in early 1863. At the time of this letter Mattie was visiting New York, seeking counsel from doctors about her health. See Mattie: The Letters of Martha Mitchell Whitman, ed. Randall H. Waldron (New York: New York University Press, 1977), 2, and Walt Whitman's letter to Jeff Whitman, October 25, 1868 (Walt Whitman Archive). has not written yet, I was glad it done me good to hear she was better Walts & your letter I was glad to get sick or well I am much interested in Walts books [5]X
Hannah may be referring to the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass, or to Drum-Taps (1865), or to Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-66). I thought of it all night I dont want to be troublesome but I wish Walt would write often —