A letter to Melvin’s father from his brother or sister after hearing that Jacob’s wife (Annetta F (Annie) Garfinkle (18th July 1890 – 1916) is sick with T.B. – Melvin was married on the 11th January 1914 (five months before this letter).
August 28, 1914
Dear brother Jake,
You’re welcome letter just received and it is with deep regret that I learn of Annetta’s illness. Now Jake it is no occasion for you to worry to take things easy. As you write Annetta has an insipient rash(?), well that is the same kind of case as I have handy in a short time you will have her home with you again. You see Jake I was only at the sanatorium 12 weeks and if it were not for the hot weather I would have been able to go to the city when I was discharged from there. Now I think that Annetta will have to stay there so long as the cold weather will soon be here and she will be able to chase the air at home just as well.
Jake see that she does not have the occasion to worry over anything and see that her mind is always at cash(?), as worry is a bad thing for anyone who has TB. I’ll write Annetta a letter today and encourage her. I’ll tell you what it to get well so quick and I suppose if she does as I did she will soon gain weight and would be well again. See that she has plenty of warm clothing.
Now Jake as long as you know the trouble Annetta has I would advise you to take good care of yourself as you have been with Annetta the whole time she has had the illness. I advise you to go to bed no later than 10.00 PM and do not stay up later than 12.00 PM. More than once a week drink milk with all your meals and in between meals if possible at least three times a day making in all six times daily. The reason for this is, if you have caught any germ from Annetta you will be able to throw it off before he can get a hold on you. Jake I have been discharged from the sanatorium and that is just what I have to do for at least one year. I am enclosing you one of the pictures you asked for and will also send one to Annetta. I suppose you will be home for the Centennial Week and if you are I’ll take a trip with you to visit Annetta, I understand where she is, in some distance from here. I leave for home on Sunday so when you write you know the address.
Well Jake I know of nothing more to so will close with love to all.
PS Jake do as I told you to do in reference are going to bed early and drink milk. It is always better to be on the safe side of things. You know the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth 9lbs of cure.
I thought of your birthday for the past two weeks and win the day came I forgot all about it, but let me congratulate you now. It is better late than never.
