Tag Archives: disease

July 23, 1925 (Walter)

Thursday Night 7/23d

My Dear Sweetheart,

Dr. White and I just returned from the station. We went down with Mr. and Mrs. Garrison to see them off, after having had dinner with them. They seemed to have enjoyed the day here and she wished that they could have spent a week. They took the sight-seeing bus to St. Augustine this morning. Her folks live at Waco Texas. During the war she went to Washington on a job in the War Dept, and there she met her hubby.

July 23, 1925 (Walter)

July 23, 1925 (Walter)

Sometimes I feel that I would like a better income in order to take care of you as I should, and I wonder how this couple get along on his salary as she is not working. He gets about $1400* and I hardly know how they can get along, but they seem to make it OK. When I see them I figure that we will probably get along all right.

We are going fishing Saturday and Dr. KS will drive down the state some on Sunday, so it is possible that I will not have an opportunity to write you Sat or Sunday nights. If I can I certainly will, for I enjoy your letters so much. I look forward to them and when they come I read them several times. While it seems like a long time since I came here, it has been only two weeks tonight. I have been very fortunate to have gotten so many sweet letters from you in that time. Best of all, I have had one from Mother and Daddy Lewis with their consent, and Dear you don’t know how glad I am and how proud I am to have them feel all right about it. It means a lot and I appreciate it. They were real sweet about it, and I guess it is because they know that you and I are congenial and that we really do love one another. I’ll be mighty proud to say “this is my wife,” and I feel that folks will think “how did he do it?”

We went to the city dispensary this afternoon as it was Dr. KS’s afternoon for a skin disease clinic. It was very interesting. There were about four well defined cases of pellagra, and I am glad that I had the opportunity of seeing some. When I see the disease side of medicine and what the practitioner has to do, I feel that I like my work more. At one time I thought I would like to practice medicine but the older I get, the more I like my work in preventive work and medical entomology. Dr. White says that he feels that way about it too.

We will not go to the beach until Tuesday and then we may not get located so as to move on that day. It may be Wednesday before we move. I’ll be glad to get Dr. White started on some laboratory work as I want to get his technique on some phases. He has been criticizing the paper, but it will be published in long form. Dr. KS thinks that it was not necessary, but White is so “dog gone” particular about every sentence that he is going over it very carefully. His arrangement is good but not very different from mine, and sometimes I wonder if his editing is worth the additional work it gives both of us. He is an old bachelor and has some set ideas on doing things. He always treats a disease manuscript in the same say. Even when we go to meals he always likes to go the same way. I hope I won’t be that way to such an extent, for it would annoy you. I’ll try not, Dear, and I’ll try to have you know that I love you with all my heart. You are everything to me and I’ll be mighty happy when I can have you with me always.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your
Walter.

P.S.
I love you.

* Equal to about $18,077 today.

August 11, 1924

Monday Nite Aug 11th

My Dear Ina,

It was mighty fine to get your letter and you are so sweet to write nice ones. They are always cheerful and make me feel that I am real fortunate to have such a nice little girl friend.

August 11, 1924

August 11, 1924

My work has been keeping me on the go and about the only thing I have stopped for, was to eat and sleep. My colleague, Dr. K.S., left me Saturday, and will be gone most of this week. He went to Tennessee to spend a few days with the family. I am enjoying his vacation too, for I do have a breathing spell once in a while now, though I keep on the go. He is about the most energetic man I ever met and while it is a real pleasure to work with him, he goes about twice as fast as anyone else. He wanted me to send a night letter every night about the work, but I finally convinced him that every two nights should be sufficient.

Most of the cases of “larval Migrans” come from the beach and since the clinic I have been making an intensive study of conditions in the city where cases have been known to originate. I am doing this in connection with a final check on the treatments given at the clinic. It occurred to me that there was certainly some environments in the city which existed at the beach and my idea was to make a careful survey of both. Sunday I went down to Pablo early and worked most all day, though there are lots of things to be studied down there.

This may seem peculiar, but the parasite is so small that we have not been able to isolate it or identify it. It then behooves us to see under what conditions it develops and then try to strike upon the right thing and to produce the disease artificially. I shipped Mr. Bishopp about 50 sections of skin containing the parasites, and he is trying to locate them while in Washington. He is surrounded with specialists of all kinds and with the facilities there, he would stand a better chance to isolate them than I would at work here. At any event he will not be able to determine just what parasite is responsible for the disease, but can tell in a general way to what group it belongs. It will still be up to me to locate the proper one and with Dr. K.S. to produce the disease artificially. We may be able to do this before he finishes with that part, but if possible we would like to work it out both ways. Dr. K.S. believes that he and I will be the ones to locate and prove it, though he has worked at it for 14 years.

It is no small task, but I believe we will work it out OK. Dr. K.S. says it may take a couple of years but he intends to stay with it if it costs him everything. We have worked out an excellent treatment, but until we know what the thing is and where it develops we will not be able to do much in preventing infestations. We can’t hope to solve everything at once, for it is entirely new. There is absolutely nothing in literature regarding the cause of this malady. It may be quite a simple thing when we hit it and again it may be very complicated.

It is about 11 o’clock so guess I’d better say goodnight.

Kindest regards to all and very best for yourself,

Always
Walter

500 Professional Bldg
c/o Dr. K.S.

August 6, 1924

153 Powell Place, Jacksonville, Florida

Wednesday A.M.

My Dear Ina,

I received your very nice letter a few minutes ago and believe me I was glad to hear from you. I had become worried and thought that possibly I would not hear from you again. It is so easy to have a misunderstanding in writing, and I am mighty glad that you have some patience with my crude way of doing things. I knew that I should have written you a nice letter and a long one, but jumped at a chance of utilizing a minute’s time in writing at least a line. I am sorry, Dear, for I know the circumstances under which you received it and it must have made you feel badly. However, I am mighty glad to know that you cared enough to have it affect you, though I would not have intentionally used such means to find out.

August 6, 1924

August 6, 1924

The clinic was a success and we have developed a very satisfactory treatment, even though we have not yet been able to unravel the identity of the parasite. It is a microscopic form, either a small worm or a spirochete and not an insect as we supposed. Such a form has never been reported in medical or entomological literature so it gives one nothing to start with.

Expect to begin tomorrow on a survey of conditions where the cases originated and will either have a city sanitary inspector or a trained nurse to go with me. I’d have a time locating all these street addresses in a strange city, though I have already made up a city map showing the locations.

Will enclose a questionnaire & form letter we are sending all physicians of the county. The composition is mine.

I haven’t been with anyone except on business and have been busy every evening until we went to sleep, with the exception of a couple of trips to the beach. These were of a survey nature as so many become infested down there.

Last Sunday we drove to Waldo about 130 miles to see a physician who had several hundred lesions. We had treated him here a few days before. Have had an invitation to come down & spend a while fishing, but I don’t think I would be very happy unless you could be there too. I always wish for you. I can’t help it and you might as well know it. I think lots more of you than you think I do, and I certainly hope that I can see you again in September. It looks doubtful now but we live in hopes. Expect to see you Xmas anyhow as you promised me I could.

My Sis has a mighty fine fiance and I can’t see any reason why they won’t be congenial & get along OK. In all probability he will be cashier of his bank on Jan 1st. My mother doesn’t like to part with Sis, but I told her she would simply get another son. She doesn’t see it this way. I guess every mother feels the same way.

You have had lots of excitement in Uvalde and I hope everything is quiet and to your liking by now. Sorry that your boss was not re-elected but strange things happen in politics.

Remember that I love you and I am anxious to see you again.

Always,
Walter.

Enclosed form letter and questionnaire:

Larva Migrans Form Letter

Larva Migrans Form Letter

Larva Migrans Questionnaire

Larva Migrans Questionnaire

July 31, 1924

153 Powell Place
Jacksonville, Florida

July 31, 1924

Dear Ina,

I have a few minutes to write a note and feel that I owe you a lengthy letter, but what I lack in length perhaps I can make up in numbers. For I certainly don’t want you to misunderstand me. I have thought of you just the same and I have wondered if I am going to get through early enough to be in Uvalde this Fall. I certainly won’t complete the work, but may return because there has been no appropriation for this work. It will probably require work for a few years and I imagine the bulk of the work will be done when we have special money for it. At this stage of the game we cannot say that it falls under the domain of our Bureau, but I hope that I can finish it. The importance is greater than it might seem.

July 31, 1924

July 31, 1924

We are using a treatment which Dr. Roark suggested with good results and it simplifies matters. Previously it has required sometimes as long as a year in extreme cases. Lots of the treatments have been so drastic that they were worse than the malady.

Mr. Bishopp will return from Washington about the 24th and will stop with me for a few days. I also expect Dr. Hunter to spend a day or two with me on his way to Washington, which will probably be about the 15th.

I want you to know that while I am busy, I think of you lots and wish for you. I can’t help but believe you would enjoy it very much if you were here. It is so different, so beautiful, and much cooler than the weather we had at Uvalde.

Kindly remember me to your Mother, Sis & Dad and write me a nice long letter. Please?

Sincerely,

W.E.D.
500 Professional Bld.

July 30, 1924

153 Powell Place
Jacksonville, Florida

July 30, 1924

Dear Ina,

I am very sorry indeed that you misunderstood me from my short note & I hope you will forgive me. I have been rushed so that I don’t hardly know straight up. The clinic opened when I arrived & we have had more than 250 patients, 150 of which were afflicted with what we call “larval migrans.”*

July 30, 1924

July 30, 1924

The thing is not what we expected to find, a result of something imported from the tropics but is entirely new – can’t find anything in literature on it and we are working for the origin as well as the treatment. Technically speaking it does not come under our Bureau but I want to work it out with Dr. Kirby-Smith if possible. Previous to this the treatments consisted of cutting out skin sections with the knife or injecting something under the skin to kill the parasite. We are now using a fumigant which penetrates the skin & apparently kills the parasite without having any ill effects. Some are treated for a year for extreme infestations, and I believe we have the thing that will get them in one or two treatments with no ill effects.

Dearie, you will probably think that I am crazy to go into details of my work in writing to you, but my whole energy is in it and we mean to work it out.

Will probably spend next week at homes where it originated in the city and the following week will be on the beach for a comparative study as to the source of infection etc.

Dr. Kirby-Smith has treated me royally since I’ve been here and he spends lots of time with me from his valuable practice. He is a specialist in skin diseases, and considered the best south of Washington.

Please don’t think hard of me Dearie for writing such a short note to you. I was at the clinic then & wanted to let you know that I arrived OK.

Trust I’ll hear from you soon and a long letter.

Sincerely,

Walter

Professional Bld of Dr. Kirby-Smith

* Yes, in 2011 you can Google “larva(l) migrans” and instantly learn what causes it. In 1924, though, it was a complete mystery. You are reading the personal letters of the fellow who figured it out, and for the next few weeks this blog will feature his efforts to explain that work to his girlfriend as he’s doing it. Go ahead and look it up, but be sure to come back to this story to see what it really took to get that answer.

July 25, 1924

United States Department of Agriculture,
Bureau of Entomology,
Investigations of Insects Affecting the Health of Man.

July 25, 1924

My Dear Ina,

I am sorry that my letter was so short yesterday, but I am rushed almost to the limit. Had 38 cases at the clinic today and a total of about 125 this week. Have good assistance but have to tell the surgeons what I want cut out and get histories of cases myself. Dr. Kirby-Smith has every evening and spare time planned and he is showing me a wonderful time. Great host and lots of fun. His family are away and I think he is enjoying the vacation. Has given the clinic good publicity and we have wonderful co-operation City & State Health Boards & members of profession. Have had the dignified title of Dr. since I’ve been here. It sounds better to a clinic. It will close about next Wednesday and we will spend about 10 days at points where cases originated – mostly on the beach. Wish you were here. You would like it.

July 25, 1924

July 25, 1924

Excuse this stationery but I simply must write you something tonight while Doc. tells the neighbors he is home early.

Regards to Claudelle & Mrs. Lewis, and very best to yourself.

Sincerely, Walter

505 Professional Bld. Jacksonville

July 24, 1924

July 24 1924

Dear Ina,

Lots to do, clinic well advertised and good attendance. Cooperation medical profession, City, & State Board good. Dr. K.S. is a prince and work is very interesting and we are also having a good time. Will write more soon.

Sincerely,
Walter

July 24, 1924

July 24, 1924

July 1, 1924

Dallas, Texas
Tuesday PM

Dear Miss Lewis,

After spending the greater portion of the day in San Antonio, I was surprised to find that Dr. & Mrs. Roark had also been there all day. They left Uvalde Sunday AM and on arriving at S.A. the Doctor had an attack of stomach trouble which kept him in bed for two days. He seems to attribute it to the Mexican dinner, but please don’t mention it to Mrs. Parman as it would make her feel badly. It was not the dinner that caused it, but the condition of his stomach, as the rest of us enjoyed the dinner immensely and had no ill effects. Mrs. Roark tells how much she enjoyed the dinner and that it did not affect her in the least.

July 1, 1924

July 1, 1924

Mr. Bishopp was not in the city when I arrived, and we expect him to return from Omaha tomorrow. He was called there as a witness in Federal Court in a prosecution case. I am sure that my getting left in Uvalde will not be mentioned by himself, but I wouldn’t regret it if I had a severe reprimand. That, however, is not his nature. Mr. Laake says that he rather expected that I would miss the train.

I note from correspondence from Dr. Smith of Jacksonville Fla. that Mr. B and I are expected about July 20th. He has had about 20 cases recently and is sure that other physicians have had a good number. He enclosed a photo of a boy’s legs and feet which were in a severe condition. I believe I told you that this is some tropical form which has appeared in Florida the last two summers and we do not yet know what the cause is. Several Englishmen and Frenchmen have published works from the tropical sections and I am searching the literature on the subject. My French isn’t any too good, but I can handle it better than before the war.

Just now I am looking at property here with the view of trading in the Elgin to advantage. Whether I’ll get unimproved property or a residence, I do not know, but I am particular that I get something in East Dallas where the city is developing most rapidly.

I am to have dinner with Dr. & Mrs. Roark this evening and then we will probably go for a drive. I wish you were here to go with us as we would then have two couples.

Miss Ina I did not learn the day of your birth anniversary. Won’t you please tell me? I know that it is July and I meant to find out when I was there, but didn’t. I’d like to know.

I also hope that you will favor me with a letter real soon for I am anxious to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Walter.

Kindest regards to your Mother and Sister.