Berlin, 15 June 1917

'Don't take me for a hypochondriac': a detailed report on his physical break-down.

Einstein writes to his friend Zangger, a doctor, about the diagnosis of his abdominal disorder: 'Gall stones been ruled out. Anti-inflammatory procedure ... Liver not swollen when painful...'. The prescription is diet (light food, in small doses) and rest (including 'bed-rest for hours each day'): this latter is exactly the opposite of what was previously prescribed. As a result of this, Einstein's planned visit to Switzerland has been postponed, although he will come at the beginning of July: unfortunately, his planned walking holiday with his eldest son must be ruled out: 'Bed-rest has already done me a great deal of good'. Einstein ruefully adds: 'If you were not a doctor yourself, I would not not have recounted this boring stuff about my body ... Don't take me for a hypochondriac, because I write so much; I am patient and rather indifferent about it. Everything comes on its own without one being responsible for it as for scientific work'.