Berlin, 5 January 1918

A bed-ridden existence, but still with some enjoyable scientific research and correspondence.

Einstein has been confined to bed in order to alleviate a gastric ulcer, and reports that his health is improving: 'Since I've been in bed, I have been quite well ... I shall stay quietly in bed for another 4 weeks or longer, which is also desirable because of the lack of heating. For the present I don't envisage travelling to Switzerland this year, and perhaps never again'. Heinrich Zangger has been subsidising the sanatorium fees for Einstein's younger son, Eduard: Einstein will pay as much as he can, but no more than 6,000 francs each year. He absolutely vetoes the proposal of Besso and Zangger to set up a bank account in Zurich under their control for the maintenance of his family.

'Scientifically I am only working on minor things at present. For that, I am studying and reading a lot, which is also not to be sniffed at'. He has a heavy and increasing correspondence, in part because of his new responsibilities at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, but this also involves him in very pleasant scientific exchanges, so 'in short I am doing well'. He is delighted to have letters from Anna Besso, which are almost the only way he hears news of his sons: 'Albert is certainly no letter-writer, in all truth. But I am not saying this in order to complain about him. The little he does write is really nice'. He ends, 'I'll stop now, as writing in bed is so uncomfortable'.