.MTYyMw.MTQzMDAy

in pencil in top margin Feb 4, 1958

the South for the same reason goiter used to plague the northern tier of states, diet deficiency. Nowadays if one is on the ketogenic diet it is sometimes necessary to feed the patient yeast to avoid pellagra. But Cash doesn't mention hookworm or its discovery by a shy agricultural experimenter who was pulled out of obscurity by Page for the benefit of mankind. In fact there are so many people and happenings that Cash doesn't mention that I conclude he is just another of that contemporary crowd around Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and some other universities.

  There is one little story in Battle's Journal that points up the sense of humor many Southern writers have.  Through the Civil War at Chapel Hill, and later, he helped with the state's financial affairs.  After the War some bonds were maturing and he refused, as controller, to let go to the Northerners.  "Now," he declared, "I'll get my name in the papers and become notorious or even famous.  Even the New York Times will run my name."  The New York Times did -- but they slipped.  "We hope there will be some way to uncork Mr. Bottle."
  Now I'll go back to reading Harvey, Pasteur, Lister, & Holmes.
  Give my regards to Nelson Algren and retain some for yourself.

V. L. Sherman