8/1/18
My dear Father
I was glad to get letters from you and Mary today, it was some time since I'd had home news. Your account and Jack's letter about Aunt Lottie confirms what I feared as to her illness and spoke of in my last letter. I am glad to learn that she has no pain and apparently no serious apprehensions, though I don't doubt that she is bound to realize before so very long that her illness is a grave one and likely to terminate her life this year. I think that in view of Dr Easte's statement to Jack there can be little doubt that his diagnosis is correct, there is no question in such cases of any beneficial surgical help, and a second opinion would only confirm the first whilst causing her more anxiety. Her care will be in Easte's hands in any event, and the greater confidence she has in his skill the more contented she will be.
These cases may last many months and I think would do better to leave your visit there till later on. I am glad she has Mrs Thornton's kind help at this time.
May gave me an account of your Xmas at Badsey this year. You were quite a large party, and must have been very glad to have Bernard with you.
I am most sorry to hear of Mrs Mustoe's death; she was a very estimable woman and I'm sure her husband and children will feel the loss keenly.
After one day of thaw we have a heavy snow fall and more frost. Perhaps for things out here it is the best condition. I am glad that the Premier has made a frank statement of our arms, it should help greatly to consolidate the nation and our Allies and enable the coming months to be borne with grit and no grumbling. Everyone returning from leave speaks of a general tendency at home to face all troubles and stick it out. The grumbles are more articulate perhaps, but that is always so. The central kitchen idea should be a very practical and helpful aid in food and fuel economy if all classes will use them when provided. That is I suppose the difficulty. We are pleased in the lab that McNee has been given the DSO. Decorations don't often come for jobs of this kind; his is well-earned. He's on leave just now, so I have the office work, such as it is, to do. Next week I have to take his place in giving a lecture at the 1st Army School. The Director Medical Services of this army is running a series of courses, 10 days each, for about 30 medical officers at a time. Lectures and instruction from many points of view of the duties and work of medical men out here. It is a good idea and so far a success, and will probably be followed by other armies. The last school was made up almost entirely of Americans who were very keen and appreciative.
I hope you are feeling well and taking care of yourself in this bitter weather.
With love to all
Your affectionate son
Arthur
