I N T R O D U C T I O N T O V O L U M E 1 6 l v i i Heinrich Zangger that he was attending the Davos lectures “tirelessly” (Doc. 160). However, on that same day, Elsa also wrote to Zangger and gave the first indication of the nature of Einstein’s illness: “We enjoyed three weeks in Zuoz, had lots of sun and a peaceful life. Now in Davos, things would be ideal if Albert were healthier. This gigantic, robust man has a slight heart defect. He will tell you in Zurich where we will be arriving on Saturday how this calamity came about” (Abs. 461). At the end of the month, Einstein himself defined his medical condition for the first time, using stronger language: “I have a serious heart problem (enlargement of the heart with high blood pressure and too short a pulse wave).” He was uncer- tain as to whether the ailment would ever significantly improve but expected it would require protracted bed rest (Doc. 164). In typical fashion, Einstein employed dark, self-deprecating humor to cope with his illness: “Now we’ll see if weeds re- ally can be killed off or not” (Doc. 165). By early April, the couple returned to Berlin. Elsa had been very worried about Einstein, who had refused to see a doctor for months. But a few weeks later, she found he was feeling considerably better. She was optimistic about his health. His pulse and blood pressure were almost normal (Abs. 487). Einstein, however, initially believed the illness had caused irreversible damage. In turning down the Rhodes lectures fol- lowing a second invitation, he wrote that his serious heart problem “will force me, for the rest of my life, to lead a very quiet and reclusive existence” (Doc. 199). By mid-June, after ten weeks of bed rest, Plesch gave Einstein a diagnosis: “pericarditis, with an accumulation of fluid discharge in the cardiac sac.” Thus, the treatment was focused on the extraction of liquids—“drainage with all methods,” diuretics, a sodium- and nitrogen-free diet, and bed rest (Docs. 222, 224). In early July, Einstein took up residence in a villa rented by family friend Toni Mendel at the Baltic resort of Scharbeutz, where he enjoyed lying under beech trees and staring out at the sea. According to Elsa, he was “being spoiled silly by four women, who are around him, to make his life more pleasant.” Einstein referred to this group—Elsa, Margot Einstein, Toni Mendel, and possibly a domestic—as “the harem” (Docs. 238, 239, 240). Soon after arrival, Einstein wrote to his younger son, Eduard, that the only physical activity he was allowed was taking fifty steps (Doc. 237). By late July, he still felt weak on his legs. He was frustrated with just sitting around, looking out at the sea, yet unable to go sailing (Doc. 242). By August, however, he had become “completely delighted” with Scharbeutz in spite of his illness (Doc. 252). The protracted health crisis brought about a radical change in lifestyle for Einstein, accompanied by significant and important beneficial results. Even before relocating far away from the hustle and bustle of Berlin for the summer, the extend- ed bed rest and considerable reduction in official duties afforded him ample time