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Dr. Daniel Longaker to Walt Whitman, 3 December 1891

 loc.03223.001_large.jpg Walt Whitman, My dear Sir;

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  loc.03223.002_large.jpg  loc.03223.003_large.jpg my captaincy, if I for the moment may assume such role.

With kind regards I am Yours Sincerely. Daniel Longaker.  loc.03223.004_large.jpg

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).

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