February 13, 1968Leo Cuello, M.D.P.0,Box 7190 :San Antonio, Texas 70207Dear LeoWith approximately $20,000 you could get a nucleus for a historicallibrary on Thoracic Surgery. It of course should involve someanatomy - physiology works such as (1) Sylvius, (2) Lancius, (3)Searpa, (4) Hunter, ete. (5) Pathology, Morgagni, Rokitansky, etc.In the modern era: (1) Stannius, (2) Sauerbruch, (3) Halsted, etc.I. would not go into the really expensive things such as Vesalius,even though some editions can be had relatively cheap for $3-4000.I also would follow the references that. Nissen indicates, I havea fair collection that may be of interest to you, why not come upand see, also a few slides that you could use perhaps.In May I have to give in Houston for the Texas Medical Association,a paper on coronary surgery, excision. of ventricular aneurysms,myocardial infarct excision and coronary endarterectomy that Idid in Amarillo. Would you be interested to discuss it? I amattaching a summary of the paper.If you should want to come, do give me a call ahead of time, anovernight or weekend stay would be fine. From the 15th to the26th of Fabruary I have a geologist from Europe as house quest andwill be out of town from the 22nd to the 26th, taking him to NewMexico.As you know I am writing a biography of Billroth, a major undertaking,that is creeping along. Beeause of that I am in touch with antiquedealers in this country and on the continent, who because of myrelatively. large purchases give me some preference. I couldchannel some books, that I consider good, to you, if you shouldwish to - buying truly good books is a question of money. Theyf.e. got me some originals handwritten by Billroth, etc. You cansee then that they are selective and cooperative. As I have sucha terrific expense with illustrations, revisions, etc. with myBillroth biography, I am getting books pertaining. only to his eranow and let pass some truly good cardio-thoracic material. Youof course know the literature of the past fifty years; there isa fair article if I recall correctly, by E. Graham in the 50thanniversary issue of S.G.O. Lindskog also has a fair historical