November 15, 1967Dr. Jack JohnsonProfessor PhysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyMinneapolis, Minn.Dear JackI would like to ask you for a great favor, I am writing abiography of Billroth - the surgeon. In the correspondence withMeissner - who discovered the end - organs, Billroth reports hisobservations in 1854-55 on the cross striation in his histologicalobservations on musele. It appears that he made some originalobservations which then Krause took over, after he confirmedBillroth's observations, Billroth however, felt that his observa-tions were not conelusive enough, even though Johannes Mullerwanted him to publish a preliminary report. I would like tomake a point of it,Some years ago I reviewed the material but unfortunately in movingI misplaced the material which is quite inaccessible for me overhere. To my recollection Krause reported on these things onlyin 1860. Would it be possible to have someone in your surroundingverify the dates and Krause's earliest reference on musclemicroscopy? You perhaps could "trick" a graduate student to makea report on this; I mean it in jest. I would be very thankfulto you.Please do send our greetings to your good wife! Please do stopby if your track should take you in this direction.SincerelyKarel B. Absolon, M.D.KBA:bc