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Kurhaus Semmering Physikalisch-Dietätische Höhen-Kuranstalt
Tuesday, April 25, 1917
Wednesday
Dear Professor,
I can report the following about the condition of my health: Immediately after the trip to Vienna1 there was a marked relapse, especially the heart
symptoms; new (intestinal) symptoms also appeared. For about two days I have been feeling somewhat as I did before the Viennese experiment, possibly a trace better. After another week I will be able to get myself a picture of the therapeutic effect of the X radiation (in me), which will also be decisive for the question of continuing this therapy.
My leave expires on May 10. I want in any case to stay in Vienna for at least two days, and am looking forward to seeing you again. I am now reading Goethe's Italian Journey2 and am happy when, in doing so, I am reminded of our trips together. Unfortunately, I can only get a proper image of very little—especially of the artworks we saw—a few images of landscape seem to have made the biggest impression—the evening on the Palatine—Selinunt, etc. One really must see Italy again, to become very familiar with her.—But it is very doubtful whether you will still be able to use me as a travel companion, unless the X rays perform miracles and restore to me my earlier capacity for movement.—
Frau G.'s hitherto not quite comprehensible behavior has finally found its explanation in the following: After repeated urging, she recently shared with me the fact that a long time ago she sent a letter to Elma in which she told her that I can't continue my life in this manner, that I should and will get married. But since she was convinced that I could only be happy with one of the two of them (mother or daughter)—one of the two would have to be my wife. Now she requested her to return home as speedily as possible, in order to find the best solution for the three of us.—With the mails being what they are, no answer to this came, naturally, and I now vehemently insisted that this whole plan be d