BLACKWELL FAMILY GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE APPEL, LOUISE ELIZABETH BLACKWELL 1902-09 Louise Appel 44, ELGIN AVENUE, MAIDA HILL, W. 3 March 02. Dear Dr. Blackwell, The pamphlets & addresses are now going to the printer. They will appear in 2 vols., uniform with and about as thick as "Pioneer Work." Vol.1 contains: "Human Element", to which I have added an appendix with consists of passages from "Corruptions of Neo-Malthusanism" "Address to Medical Women" on C.D.A.D Rescue Work."Purchase of Women". "Moral Education of the Young." to which as an appendix I have added passages from "Christian Duty in regard to vice. Vol. II contains: "Influence of Women"--address to L.S.M.W. "Erroneous Method in Medical Education" "Why Hygienic Congresses fail"--with appendix "On the Humane Prevention of Rabies" "Scientific Method in Biology" "Christian Socialism" "Decay of Municipal Representative Government" "Address delivered at opening of Woman's Medical College of the New York Infirmary" "Religion of Health." In travelling up from Hastings last week I met one of the School Miss Tchaykovaki students, so we had an interesting chat. On Saturday, one of the younger medical women called to see me & asked advice about the best thing to do in regard to certain of her Patients -- I told her what I thought was the best course to pursue and gave her a copy of your "Human Element in Sex", and also told her your addresses would soon be issued in 2 volumes. She said she thought definite teaching on this subject was needed and should be given at the School. Do you know what are Mrs.Boyd's opinions and views about this subject? The medical woman who came to me suggested that it might be well to interview Mrs. Boyd and as she knows her well, she is thinking of doing so. I cannot say I feel very hopeful about the result which is likely to follow, but if Mrs Boyd would strike out along a new line, it [wo] might be a gain to this cause. Personally I know very little about Mrs Boyd--I never felt "attracted" towards her; and I still think we shall have to rely upon your books chiefly, if not solely, for many years to come. Kindest regards to yourself & Miss Barry, & not forgetting Khaki --Sincerely yr Louise AppelHauptstrasse 97 Woerishofen , Bavaria. 13 November 1909. My dear doctor, I have news which will, I know, rejoice your heart as greatly as it does [o] mine. I don't know if you read German, but if you do I will send you a copy of the book which has come into my hands quite unexpectedly and which is just what the world of materialists needs to open its eyes to the fact that the present methods of medical & scientific research are based upon a fundamental fallacy as regards the nature of life and its relation to matter, and that may lead to the most mischievous & directly harmful results. For the past two years I had been visiting at the house of my uncle, Mr. Burke, in London, and working in every way possible to me against these present day false research methods; but it is very difficult to move the stolid Britisher from his materialism. Then, at the end of JulyI came here, where the good old "Father" Kneipp used to heal the sick by his famous Kneipp system which was more suitable to people to-day than the violent and radical Priessnitz system. By chance, a copy of a German Anti-Vaccination paper was sent me, and therein I saw an extract from a German book by a Dr Kleinschrod, which was opposed to vaccination & Anti-toxins & serum therapy generally. By good luck, Dr. Kleinschrod had removed from Munich to Woerishofen this year, so thinking he might like to join our Medical League against vivisection, vaccination & inoculation, (which he has done) I introduced myself to him, and was delighted to find in him a deep thinker & keen student of philosophy, as well as a well-informed scientific mind and a good practical physician. Naturally, we soon "fraternalised",-- he gave me a copy of his book "Die Eigengesetzlichkeit des Lebens" and suggested that I should translate it into English. I read the book, was delighted with it, and am now translating it. Later, I shall translate his more popular work "Die Erhaltung der Lebenskraft". I do feel that at last we have the "stone" with which to slay the might giant of materialism,-- & I venture to predict that the day of medical materialism is now doomed. I know you will feel interested in this book, if you read German. A line by return to say whether you would like to see it, and I will post you a copy. The error he exposes is much like the old error of our Earth as centre of the universe, round which earth the great Sun & all other celestial bodies were supposed to revolve. Reverse the case -- put the Sun as centre of the physical universe, round which the earth and celestial bodies of our system revolve, and the truth is there. Poor Galileo!! So, too, with Life & matter, and health & disease & healing. Assume "matter" as we know it in the inorganic world, to be the centre round which life turns, & that is what our modern medics & scientists do -- & we have the same fallacy as in the case of Earth & Sun. Assume "life", as we know it in the organic world, to be the centre round which matter turns & we have the truth. The former he calls the mechanical theory, the latter the vitalistic theory -- and he proves the truth of his theory, not only philosophically, but scientifically and medically. I have long been striving after this same truth, and instantly recognized the truth when I read it in Dr. Kleinschrod's book. By same post, I am sending you 2 numbers of the "Adyar Bulletin" with an article by myself which you may like to read, called "Scraps of Knowledge". I have no other copy, so may I ask you, please, to return it to me when you have read it. I have already addressed the inside of the wrapper, so if you turn the wrapper inside out, it will save you further trouble. Five years ago I returned from India to see my mother who was then dying of cancer ; but who is still alive & well to-day, just to prove that doctors don't know everything yet! I am now asked to go to London to see Mrs Burke who, three weeks ago, had an operation for an ovarian cyst which the doctors and surgeons said could easily be removed, & she restored to perfect health. Alas, on opening the abdomen, they found a cyst but also very extensive cancer involving ovaries, bladder, [?], intestines & liver. The surgeon who operated did not attempt to remove this cancer as it would have been fatal there & then. He says she may live 3 months. It was a great shock to her husband & 3 children. She herself also now knows that the tumour is malignant, and she & Mr Burke have expressed the wish that I should go and see her soon. So, ere long, I shall be in England again for a few days, to suggest any treatment I can which may seem helpful. But, after an operation, the chances are worse than before; --moreover, every case of cancer is not curable, though I am firmly convinced that some cases are. Of course, the modern doctor, taught that cancer is incurable, promptly changes his opinion, like the Vicar of Bray, when it suits him & replies, "then it could not have been cancer!" Such is the logic of our medico! It is cold here and the Patients have, for the most part, gone; -- the s eason here is from May to September. Now that my long search is over, and I have reached the knowledge which for so long I have searched, I feel I want to settle down for good, and teach and practise this newer, truer system of Healing. In Woerishofen, there are all the necessary appliances & institutions built by the late "Father" Kneipp, and at present we have here only medical men, so I contemplated settling down here as a medical woman. Alas! national prejudices against [the] any foreign medical qualification prevent my being recognised in Germany as a "doctor", -- I am here only a "quack", without right to practise or sign death-certificates or other certificates. Dr. Kleinschrod would help me out of any difficulties that might thereby arise, so far as it is in his power to do so; but whether it is wise or unwise to settle here under these circumstances and be a "quack" is a point about which I am not yet clear, and which needs further consideration. Meanwhile I am busy at the translation, and I attend the public clinique here & see for myself, how far the Kneipp & natural methods are successful and in what cases, especially. But I must conclude this rather long letter. With my love to you,-- our pioneer,--& to Miss Barry, the pioneer's right hand, Affectionately yours, Louise Appel.Crowborough, 44, [ELGIN AVENUE, MAIDA HILL, W.] 18 Jan: 03. Dear D. Blackwell, I came here this evening to be ready at 9 a.m. to -morrow to receive my mother's furniture, as she is removing to a smaller house in Crowborough. I had hoped to combine this with a few hour's visit to you at Hastings, but time I am sorry to say will not permit it. There are so many extra matters toattend to before leaving England. I have given up Elgin Avenue house, & my mother & I are staying at 13 Sutherland Avenue, W. till I leave for India early (between 7 & 8 a.m) next Thursday morning (Jan: 22nd.). I am sorry Mrs Browne feels uneasy about my going out to India alone, & I hope you will allay her fears. I shall be met at Bombay by a friend of a friend of mine, so it will be alright, & I shall remain at Bombay for a time. Dr Annette Benson at the Kame Hospital is personally well known to me, & I shall call & see her soon after I get out to Bombay (on Feb: 7th). I shall always be glad to hear from you - the address c/o King, King & Co. Bombay, will find me. Next Tuesday& Wednesday I hope to call & see Mrs. Browne for a short time, & have a talk about this Leigh Browne Trust. Mr. Bell & I had a talk about it last Friday; I am to continue to be one of the trustees & do what I can for the Trust work in India. With Kindest regards to you & Miss Barry, Believe me, Sincerely yours, Louise Appel. I am returning Carpenter's Physiology which you kindly lent me.1902 Apr 16 L Appel to Dr Eliz Use of funds for LBTr for pathologist at New Hosp suggested restrictions imposed Hay's "Uric Acid in Causation of Decease" Hays Dr Eliz a/ "Uric Acid in Causation of Decease 1902 Dr May Thorne--[?] & vaccuation Mr Thorne Mr Beel Dr Creighton Dr Ethel Vernon Mrs Flemming--82 pathologist at New Hosp Dr Ethel Vaughan pathologist at Royal Free Hosp44 Elgin Avenue, Maida Hill, W. 16 April 02. Dear D. Blackwell, I am a little amused to see the way in which Mrs Thorne voices the 'money wants' of the pathologist at the New! You will be interested to hear how this has probably all come about. At the last meeting of [high/Leigh?] [Mowne?] Trustees, Mr Bell said there were some 200 copies of Richardson's 'Biological Experimentation' in his possession & asked what use could be made of them. I undertook to distribute 50 copies in quarters [*Will you kindly return enclosed cutting about Cancer I thought it would interest you.*]where the book is unknown, by sending it to selected individuals. Among others, I sent a copy to Dr. Ethel Vernon who has recently been appointed Pathologist to the New Hospital. I sent it to her private address. Each volume sent out contained a copy of enclosed leaflet also supplied me by Mr Bell. Doubtless she has passed this leaflet on to Dr May Thorne (Lecturer on Vaccination at L.S.M.W. & Instructor and Vaccinator at the New Hospital) & the latter has asked her mother, Mrs Thorne, to write to you. I know them all quite well - they don't care a straw about the painless research but they would naturally like their pathologist remunerated from the [high Browne?] or any other fund, for the work she does in that capacity for the New. So Mrs Thorne quotes words & phrases from the enclosed leaflet to show they would not be violating this condition laid down as regards pain in living animals - evidently having in her mind the brute creation but not the human being when she says "animal". Some of Mrs Thorne's statements are certainly ambiguous - she writes "a pathologist is greatly needed at the New to make use of the amountof material available there for the investigation of women's diseases: the cancer ward alone affords a large amount". But the New already has a pathologist, & has had for some 5 years or longer. Mrs Flemming was, I believe, the first woman to fill this post when it was definitely made into a post some 5 years ago or more. It is the Pathologist's duty to investigate the material available there, whether P.M. material or morbid growths removed by operation, & this has been going on for years already - but except that it is of use occasionally in clearing up a doubtful or obscure diagnosis in a given case, no possible good 2 can come of such investigation. The microscope may perhaps some day reveal a microbe universally present in cancer cases, just as it has revealed a Bacillus in cholera, but I cannot say I feel that Leigh Browne money is needed to stimulate this "good microscopical examination" - to use Mrs Thorne's words - for the next logical step when the microbe has been discovered is to inject it into animals with a view of getting an antitoxin or some other morbid rubbish to render the human being immune; and this alas! is also considered 'painless", because it merely necessitates a pin-prick - &people possessed with the serum craze are blind, utterly blind to the chronic diseased condition engendered by the morbid matter introduced through this harmless & painless "pin-prick". You may remember, the Pathologist at the Royal Free Hospital (Dr Ethel Vaughan) once tried to get some Leigh Browne money from you for a similar purpose - though I believe the way in which the need presented itself to her mind, was that of a printed catalogue which she desired to issue. Of course, it had been decided that a catalogue should be issued, & hearing of Leigh Browne fund it was only natural to try and tap that source. I have been among them so many years, that I know their little ways and their ambitions - they care not a whit for painless research but are naturally desirous to see their ambitions crowned with success, and I don't blame them for it, but if Leigh Browne money is used, we should I think get some small return - some result which will forward or promote the aims of the Leigh Browne Fund. If such is possible in connection withthe New, I shall be very, very glad - but it needs careful thinking out & we must lay down conditions or even restrictions which will secure, as far as possible, that a grant made, or donation give, may be of some service to our cause. I will see Mr Bell & with his & Dr Creighton's help, [sounds] something definite may be arrive at. At the present moment, it seems to me desirable that an application be made by the new Hospital authorities, embodying a statement by them of the work, i.e. [the][a] definite piece of work for which they ask for a grant. That would give us the opportunity of saying, if necessary, the conditions or restrictions we feel bound to impose, to make such work useful in our sense of the word - & they would then accept or refuse these conditions as they thought fit - they want the 3 money, so they will possibly be willing to accept conditions. Next, if they do accept conditions & the grant is made, a brief paragraph might be sent to and [might] appear in any of the Daily papers or periodicals which would [p] insert it. No doubt Mr Bell would help in that better than anyone else. In this way, we serve a double purpose, we encourage the 'New' to do righteous research work, and we let some of the public know that there is such an effort being made, and a small Fund (which some - let us hope- may feel disposed to increase!)by the Leigh Browne Fund. [I] [doubt] I suppose we have the right to send such a paragraph to the Press, & to mention that a grant has been made to the New. Doubtless, some of the authorities at the New would prefer to take the money silently - but if they take money they ought to be willing & prepared to let it be known whence & wherefore the money was granted. Lastly, I think [the] a brief record of work done should be sent in to the Trustees who have granted the money. Have you read Hag's "Uric acid in causation of Disease" - if not, do get it & read it. It is the only medical work[ing] dealing with drugs & experimentation which I have ever thoroughly enjoyed from cover to cover. It is in Lewis' Library. Sincerely yr L. Abbie.