Effects of Tetanus Shot Didn't Last Long

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
           Saturday 28 October 1944, 11:15 PM

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Dearest Eleanor,

          This has been another routine day.  My arm feels practically well this morning and I've felt 4.0 all day so the effects of the shot didn't last very long.

          I began the day by seeing six patients in the morning.  Then after lunch I read for a while and then worked on those gadgets I'm making.

          It has been quite warm all day long with very little breeze although it is always comfortable up on the bridge.  After dinner this evening I made my daily visit to the bridge and visited with the O.D.  (Officer of the Day).

          About 8:00 PM I went down to the wardroom for a glass of iced coffee and a game of Peek.  After that Ambie, the Doctor and I stood out on deck and until just a few moments ago talked.

          All the officers wonder what I can say writing daily.  The only things of interest that happen can't be told and daily routine is quite uninteresting.  Most of them write once or twice a week and they are all betting that I'll quit this one a day soon.  Maybe I will but not yet.  I can still tell you I love you and even if there is a lot of repetition you'll still know what my days consist of mostly.

          Nothing more for now, my Sweet.  Till tomorrow "lot---s of love"

Lovingly

Gil

Arm Sore from Tetanus Shot

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Friday 27 October 1944, 9:30 PM

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My Dearest,

          I didn't sleep well last night.  My arm was sore and I kept rolling over on that side and waking up.  This morning I felt better except that my arm is still sore.  I never thought a tetanus shot would bother me so much.

          This has been a quiet day for me.  Saw patients this morning and just lounged around for the rest of the day.  I finished a book "All Over but the Shooting" a humorous mystery story of war time Washington, D.C.  My next book is "Let's Face It" by Throne Smith.  Expect to start that his afternoon.

          After I finished reading I went to work on the ? I'm making for you and the kids.  There will be many hours of work and I hope you will like it.  Anyway the time goes much fast when I'm occupied.

          After dinner I repaired to the bridge and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze.  Ambie and I found comfortable deck chairs and sat around and sang songs, old and new, for over an hour.  Then we went into the wardroom for a game of Peek.  By that time it was 9:00 PM and some of the officers who had night watches turned in so we broke up our game and here I am.

          Gee, Sweet I'd sure love just a little note from you now.  Just to know that you and the kids are well and everything is secure.  Guess I'll have to wait several days before I may enjoy that pleasure.

          In the meantime darling, good night.  I'll see you in my dreams.  I love you.

Devotedly

Gil

Clocks Turned Back

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 26 October 1944, 9:00 PM

Dearest Wife,

          Was I mad this morning.  It must have been past 1:00 AM before I finally turned in.  During the night the clocks were turned back a half hour.  The mess boys didn't know that so they woke me at 6:30 AM.  Now I'll be short the half hour from 6:30 to 7:00 AM that I usually sleep in.

          I have arranged my hours of work so that I do all routine dentistry in the morning before it gets warm and stuffy.  For the rest of the day I stay topside as much as possible.

          This morning after I finished up my appointments I got another tetanus shot and my arm has been sore ever since.  I've had many shots but this is the first time I got a real reaction.

          The other day, I picked up a magazine you might enjoy.  It is called "The Woman" and is a digest magazine such as "Readers Digest."  There were several articles I enjoyed reading and I know you would also.

          This afternoon with my sore arm and the warm weather, I found me a cool, shady spot on the captain's bridge and read for a while.  In the late afternoon the captain invited our exec and me into his cabin for a cup of coffee.  Then I visited the navigation bridge until dinner which was lousy.

          This evening, the exec, Hansen, Cox and I went to the wardroom and played a few games of "Peek" which I described to you a long time ago.

          Sweet, I do feel punk tonight.  My arm is sore and achy and I'm perspiring to beat the band.  Good night Honey until tomorrow.  I love you as always.

Your one and only

Gil