Did Sherlock Holmes get in fights with Watson?

Answer 1

There were no fights recorded in the books however there are at least two notable passages.

In 'The Adventure of the Dying Detective' we find this passage:

___I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary qualities of Holmes that I have always deferred to his wishes, even when I least understood them. But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him be my master elsewhere, I at least was his in a sick-room.

___"Holmes," said I, "you are not yourself. A sick man is but a child, and so I will treat you. Whether you like it or not, I will examine your symptoms and treat you for them."

___He looked at me with venomous eyes.

___"If I am to have a doctor whether I will or not, let me at least have someone in whom I have confidence," said he.

___"Then you have none in me?"

___"In your friendship, certainly. But facts are facts, Watson, and after all you are only a general practitioner with very limited experience and mediocre qualifications. It is painful to have to say these things, but you leave me no choice."

___I was bitterly hurt.

We find out later Holmes was manipulating Watson so that he would make a good impression on Culverton Smith, and Holmes' comments were entirely fabricated.

In 'The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier' Holmes writes, "The good Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action which I can recall in our association. I was alone."