23rd July 1962
Dear Clarence,
Needless to say I am profoundly disturbed by the state of things at the County, but as you can imagine there is very little I can do about it now. I am committed to participate in some meetings in September over here and we have made our touring plans which unfortunately, what with our boat passage, will not bring me home before 1st October.
I understand from my friends that the resident situation in anaesthesia[sic] is rather grim almost everywhere and in this light perhaps we have been more fortunate. I can nevertheless sympathize with the problems which have arisen. Margaret writes that it is more difficult now to provide service than at any time since she has been there. I hope that time will help us remedy this situation. I would be most happy to sit down with you and discuss possible research endeavors between our two Departments; I have felt for a long time that this would be highly desirable to us both.
I don't know what the answer will be with regard to the nurses but we shall have to try to work out something.
I must say that this turn of events does not make me look forward to coming back but I am ready, I must say, after this wonderful year in England, to face up to the problems with, I hope, a renewed vigor. I am sure that our people will be doing the best they can in the difficult situation which exists and I know that you will give them every assistance in our common problem.
Please give my best regards to all.
Yours ever,
Merel