Dr. Beebe writes to his brother describing the difficulties of setting up a new medical practice and also comments on a “diploma mill” in Philadelphia.

      “Dear Brother,

           … I some business but my patients are not very prompt about paying their bills. It is reported that I get drunk and several other things now you know that I am up to such work but when a fellow starts in the practice of medicine where any one can practice you may expect to hear a great deal, but I think that if they keep on talking I will be better off in the end. I have the advantage of one of them he bought a bogus diploma of a Dr. Buchanan of Philadelphia who was arrested lass [sic] fall and his name was found in Buchanan’s office and a great many others the list of names of those who had purchased diplomas came out in the Physicians and Surgeon now he is quite docile…”