October 31, 1967Leonard F. Peltier, M.D.Professor of SurgeryDept. Orthopedic SurgeryUniversity of KansasKansas City, Kansas 66103Dear LennieI thank you for your nice letter and all the information onyour library, that I 'now only by reputation,It certainly would be nice to give a talk on some facet ofBillroth's contribution in your history seminar; I would liketo leave the subject and title for you to select, I am reasonablywell versed in his early. period (1) relationship to Hangenbeck,Meissner - (Billroth the physiologist) (2) Zurich ~ Vienna(Billroth and the development of surgical edueation) (3) Billroththe artist (relationship to Brahms) (4) Billroth surgical contri-butions, ete. His biography that I em writing now had reachedsome 2000 typewritten pages and I am in the painful stage ofassembling, rewriting and cutting out - as time allows, and Ihate to cut out things that were painfully written and that I like.If there should be interest I have a fair short talk onmyocardial revascularization, excision of ventricular aneurysmsand myocardial infaretions with cin� angios, etc.Early February or April would suit me best. There is aninstitution in New Yerk that is interested to have me join them,nothing definite, but it should not realize before May or June 1968,if it comes through. By that time I hope to finish the Biographyof Billroth. I am also getting some original letters of Billrothand a book of poetry by Leander (nome de plume of the surrceonVolkmann) with his handwritten dedication in verse to Billroth. Itwould be nice to show. Would you be interested to come and give atalk on fet embolism or another subject (medical society) and ahistorical subject (Historical seminar)?SincerelyKBA:bc Karel B. Absolon, M.D.PS. There is a physician practicing in Amarillo, Bill Wheir, whocomes from the same town in Wisconsin as you do.