File:1941 - 09 08 Ralph Baur letter to his mom..jpg

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source: Clara Hinderer collection.

19 year old Ralph Baur wrote his mom this letter while attending Northwestern College, Watertown, WI. He had been having problems with his eyes getting tired. He saw a DR. in Chicago, IL. It is about 135 miles one way. He was told he does not need glasses, but needs to do eye exercises to strengthen his eye muscles.

He visits his 60 year old Uncle Bill in Milwaukee, WI. He calls him Uncle, but in reality he is the half-brother of Ralph's Grandpa Jacob Baur (Jacob died in 1940) . Uncle Bill was pastor in SD at church where Clara Hinderer and Alfred Baur met.

Northwestern College Watertown, Wis.

October, 8, 1941

Dear Mother,

Well, I’m back in Watertown again safe and sound; the only thing that has changed is the leather object know as a pocketbook.

I’ll continue my story where I left it Monday nite. I presume you have that letter by this time.

Tuesday morning I awoke at about 8:30. I got up, ate, and looked up a conformal man in Chicago. I finally bought a pair for $10.95. I think I got hosed. It seems strange that the prices should vary in the different places. Anyway, I have a pair of shoes. After I got the shoes I left for clinic.

After going through the formalities he started in to examine. He really made a very thorough examination. Then he wanted to know if he should send report home or give me a letter to place where I could take exercises for muscle trouble. I told him to give me letter to take to Milwaukee for exercises. It is a different muscle trouble than that which Schleuder treated. Dr. Field says my glasses don't do me any good. My eyes are normal. The muscle causes my trouble.

I got out of office about 5 P.M. I went to Rapid Transit Line and asked them what time the next train left for Milwaukee. They said 6:10. I thought I’ll hike it. At 6:15 I was out on the highway. After waiting for 5 minutes I got a ride straight to Milwaukee. Dr. Field gave me a letter to take to her (Miss Dicke) in regard to exercises. I didn’t know what I should do so I went to Uncle Bill’s house. I got there about 8:30 P.M. He had to prepare funeral sermon in the morning so I went down alone.

I will now try to give an account of the interview so that you can make head or tail out of it. Miss Dicke, the woman Dr. Field of the Chicago recommended me to, read the letter Dr. Fields gave me to give to her. Miss Dicke said, “Are you going back to see Dr. Fields again.” I sad, “NO.” She continued by saying “The law in Wis. stated that a Dr. of Wisconsin must give his O.K. before I can give any treatment. I will give you some names of Doctors whom I want you to see.”

She also stated that the diagnosing exercises would be $10. She didn’t know how many I would need after that. She also stated that she didn’t want me to come less than two times per week. From there I went back to Sauers and told Uncle Bill about it.

He said “That’s a big racket about going to get another check up in order to get an O.K. I’m going to send you to my Doctor and have him give you some advice on what to do.” He called Dr. Kassowitz. Dr. Kassowitz wrote a letter to Mis Dicke stating that he was referring me to her for the purpose of abduction and fusional orthoptic training as recommended by Dr. Homer B. Field of Northwestern University Medical School. He didn’t charge me for this.

I couldn’t get a hold of her anymore today, Oct 8, and I didn’t want to wait any longer. So I am going to send her the letter.

I was just wondering whether Dr. Ham had the same type of muscle imbalance. If he did maybe I could get such a machine.

Dr. Field asked if he should send his finding to you or send me directly to person to give exercises. I told him to send me directly. Probably he will not send you the finding. Because of this I will send copy along. Probably I should have gotten your O.K. first.

I spent $26.27 on my trip. This includes raincoat and shoes.

I imagine many questions are popping into your mind. During the examination Dr. Field asked whether I ever had heart trouble or a fever. He said spots in the back of eye shows this.

This is all I can think of right now. I got back to Watertown in time for supper.

Fred Nitz is coming to New next weekend. He is driving for Bruesehoff’s. I was under the impression that I could drive for them if they wanted a driver. Incidentally, I asked about 3 weeks ago. He went out yesterday and asked if he could drive. They said sure. It doesn’t bother me much because because I wouldn’t have time to go anyway. Probably they will ask me too. I don’t think I will be able to make it.

My last week’s pay check netted me $9.10. I hope I can hang onto job despite eye exercises.

I am going to write to Miss Dicke and also send the letter Dr. Kassowitz wrote for me. I will wait with exercises until I hear from you.

Here is hoping you can get everything straight from this letter.

Love,

Ralph

Copy of main part of letter. I sent this in case he didn’t write to you.

Screen cover: Distance 2.00 near | near 4.00

• PcB 6.5 cm., but unable to hold steady.
• Rotoscope: Wants 2.00 Base into suprimpose, very unstable.
• Abduction: 8.00 to 6.00 p. diapters.
• Abduction: 2.00 to 2.00 p. Diapters.
• Refraction: RE + 0.25s = +0.25c axis 110 20/15

/c cycl. LE + 0.25s = +0.25c axis 180 20/15

• Re: adduction and fusional orthoptic training. No glasses are indicated.

P.S. I wonder if I could get or rent a device for said treatment.