Neel

I found this journal entry to be particularly fascinating, not only because it represents a break from Dr. Birch's traditional activities and lifestyle, but it also shows a somewhat different side of him. Most of Birch's other entries are focused on his work as a doctor -- doing rounds in the hospital, visiting Vanderbilt, performing surgery, etc. Given that, it's often easy to forget his military past, which he hardly brings up at all in his diaries. Here, however, we see that side of him on full display, as he not only has multiple guns in his house, including an army rifle, but he also has no qualms about using those guns to defend himself and his family if necessary. It is only after the burglar flees that he supposes "it was a great blessing my pistol did not work, for I certainly would have shot him." Seeing the dichotomy of healer and soldier at play here was certainly interesting to read.

I also appreciate his note at the end about John returning from Winchester -- previously, John had been sick, and then he had been doing work at another clinic, leaving Birch to shoulder the brunt of his work at the Hospital for many weeks. Seeing the camaraderie between the two men, and Birch's genuine happiness at having his student come back (even going so far as to call him family) was a very heartwarming moment.