From R. Feldgun, 60 Mariinskaia Street, Riga, to Georg Sessell, Niederschönhausen, Linden Sanatorium, Berlin. April 17, 1913.

Dearest Friend,

I apologize that it is only now I am replying to your letter received a while ago. To tell you the truth, I am so absorbed in my work that I almost forgot my life at the sanatorium. At home, my return was expected with impatience. I have a lot of work to do, and, to tell the truth, I am sorry I spent so much money in Berlin. In fact, I don’t feel a lot worse here than I did in the sanatorium. I don’t think that I am ill at all, and this realization helps me in my work.

I am having major trouble now because the Deputy Chairman of a professional society where I am secretary committed suicide, and now we are all under investigation. I have to see the police investigator often, and it is very bothersome.  It is good though that I was in Berlin when this thing happened.  Write to me about your plans. Where are you going? It will be very, very nice to see you in Riga.  Do come no matter what. Stay well.

Best regards to [illegible].

[On the margins: Next time I will write [illegible] more about everything. Send my regards to [names illegible].

The Linden sanatorium was located in the Berlin district of Niederschönhausen. In the early 20th century, the city of Berlin was a popular destination for people affected with tuberculosis.  At that time, Germany had more TB sanatoria than any other country in Europe thanks to the widely supported anti-TB movement and a comprehensive state welfare program.  In 1911, there were 97 public sanatoria in Germany. Before the advent of antibiotics, they provided fresh air and dietary therapies as a cure for TB.

Copyright © 2016 - 2024 The Museum of Russian Art | Legal Notices