Help Decipher Double "S" words

[lelliott19]

Many thanks to everyone who weighed in and offered assistance. I appreciate your help so much!

 

[Story]

Doctor,

Pardon my tardiness to your summons.

All I could offer was abscess, but in the context of excessive that would have been extraneous.

I defer to excessive deafness.

Too all others, you had to be there.

I remain, &etc &etc

Doctor S.