330
DOCS.
339,
340 MAY
1917
mount; you
know
what
I
think
of
it.
However,
it cannot
bring
forth
any living
thing
but
only
exterminate
harmful vermin. If
you
had savored
A’s
longwinded
and elaborate
exposition, you
would
understand
quite easily my
metaphor
of
the
nag
ridden to its
death.[4]
My
doctor[5] is
absolutely
demanding
that
I
go
to
Tarasp
for
a
cure;
I
still cannot believe
that
I
should allow
my holidays
to
be
spoiled
this
way;
maybe Zangger’s powerful
verdict
will
save me
from it.
By
contrast,
I
am
committing
myself
to
do
everything
else-which
is
unbelievable–
to
abstain
from
drinking, etc.,
in
short,
to
perform
the
rites of
medicine
loyally
and
piously.
I
regret Zangger’s
troubles
very
much.[6] If he
had
my
thick
skin
against
human
concerns,
it would be
less
serious. The
periostitis I like
least
of
all; even
colleagues, etc.,
are more
pleasant
than that.
I
am
sorry
that
you
have
no
students, also
for the students who
don’t have
you.[7]
People
are
simply
overburdened with
obligations.
I
am coming
at
the
beginning
of
July;
earlier
is
impossible
for
me
because of
lectures, Phys. Society,
and also because of
a
toe,
which
I
had the
misfortune
of
breaking.
Nernst lost his
two
sons
in
the
war
...
is
old Jehova still
alive?[8]
These
people’s psychology
is
peculiar.
I
have
forgotten
how
to
hate.
Warm
regards, yours,
Albert.
What
is happening to
the
apartment? I
owe
it
to
my
children
to
be
thrifty.
Talk
to
Maja.[9]
Best
regards
to
Anna,
Vero,
and Dällenbach.
340. To Michele Besso
[Berlin,]
Tuesday.
[15
May
1917]
Dear
Michele,
Yesterday
I
learned
that
certain
supernumerary earnings
I
had
in
the
recent
past
are
about
to
cease,
so
I must
think in
earnest of arranging
my family’s
and
my
own
livelihood
as
frugally as possible.
After
subtracting
the
tax,
my
annual
income
totals about
13,000
M.[1]
Of
it,
what
I
give
regularly
for
my
family’s
support
is
5,600
•
125/100
=
7,000
M,[2]
thus
over
half
already.
If
substantial
irregular
expenses
are
added to
this,
the
case can
easily
arise
that
I
am
forced
to
use
up my
savings,
which would be
irresponsible
toward
the
children.
I
beg you
to consider
this
with
Zangger
and to take
it
into
account
in
your
decisions.
This
aspect
has
to
be
borne
in mind
apart
from
the
purely
medical
one.
For
inst.,
I
intend
to
omit
the
planned
cure
at Tarasp
as
well
and to seek
relaxation
in Lucerne instead.[3]
My
mother
also
is dependent
on
my
support
(ca.
600).