Pardon my recent neglect of your case. The reason of it is—I am badly used up after
going through the brunt of a severe sore throat and bronchitis. I hope, before many days,
to see you again and that, in the meantime, you will steer along cheerfully, hopefully, without
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my captaincy, if I for the moment may assume such role.
Correspondent:
Daniel Longaker
(1858–1949) was a Philadelphia physician who specialized in obstetrics. He
became Whitman's doctor in early 1891 and provided treatment during the poet's
final illness. For more information, see Carol J. Singley, "Longaker, Dr. Daniel [1858–1949]," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R.LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998).