James E. Marshall to Cary T. Grayson
Title
James E. Marshall to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Marshall, James Earl
Identifier
WWP15866
Date
1919 October 3
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Miami, Florida
Dr. Grayson
Physician to President Wilson
Washington, DC
Dear Dr. Grayson
My interest in our beloved President, impells me so strongly to make a suggestion as to the cause and possible correction of his present malady, that I must set aside all apologies for this intrusion, feeling a common responsibility with yourself in making an effort to keep him with us.
I believe from the insiduous and downward course, his malady is taking with the history of his recent strenuous life, coupled with other conditions, as forceful speaking and train vibration, all combined to the production of stasis hypermia of sigmoid colon and rectum. I likewise believe a thought from you along this line will clearly establish such a conclusion, considering his forceful diaphragm pressure, in speaking, which would tend to grind the sigmoid flexure down into the pelvis, as it were, between the nether and mill stones; add ed to this, his constant train vibration increasing the hypermia, all of which, with his lack of resistance at this time of life, as I well know, having the honor of coming into life the same day and same year, but two months earlier. With the whole sympathetic system unbalanced, as this state will produce, body processes certainly will run riot.
Now as to correction, I would say from experience of like character, would lie in re-establishing the mobility of the sigmoid flexure. This is best done by the use of the ten inch proctoscope, or may be longer sigmoidoscope. If possible to introduce without injury. The use of the proctoscope will immediately inform you if you are on the right track, for the patient will at once show signs of relief.
I am enclosing an article under separate cover, which I have just finished writing, which will explain more fully, my position and the care needed in proctoscopy.
The lotion I would suggest to apply is one used by the late Dr. James P. Tuttle, Aq. Fl. Ext. Ratany.
Recipe.
Mascerate 1# Ground Ratany Bark for 24 hours. Percolate through this, 20% Glycerine and 80% water. Allow percolate to pass through twice and evaporate to 1# liquid, use from 20 to 50% solution.
Preferably I use Haynes chair, as it will not tax the patient.
Believe me Doctor, when I say this is a matter of conscience, not desiring influence or emolument and only the devotion I hold for the President urges me to give you the result of my experience of eighteen years research upon this region of the body.
Hoping this reaches you in time to correct what has taken place, is the wish of
Your most Humble Servant,
James Earl Marshall
JEM/RD
Dr. Grayson
Physician to President Wilson
Washington, DC
Dear Dr. Grayson
My interest in our beloved President, impells me so strongly to make a suggestion as to the cause and possible correction of his present malady, that I must set aside all apologies for this intrusion, feeling a common responsibility with yourself in making an effort to keep him with us.
I believe from the insiduous and downward course, his malady is taking with the history of his recent strenuous life, coupled with other conditions, as forceful speaking and train vibration, all combined to the production of stasis hypermia of sigmoid colon and rectum. I likewise believe a thought from you along this line will clearly establish such a conclusion, considering his forceful diaphragm pressure, in speaking, which would tend to grind the sigmoid flexure down into the pelvis, as it were, between the nether and mill stones; add ed to this, his constant train vibration increasing the hypermia, all of which, with his lack of resistance at this time of life, as I well know, having the honor of coming into life the same day and same year, but two months earlier. With the whole sympathetic system unbalanced, as this state will produce, body processes certainly will run riot.
Now as to correction, I would say from experience of like character, would lie in re-establishing the mobility of the sigmoid flexure. This is best done by the use of the ten inch proctoscope, or may be longer sigmoidoscope. If possible to introduce without injury. The use of the proctoscope will immediately inform you if you are on the right track, for the patient will at once show signs of relief.
I am enclosing an article under separate cover, which I have just finished writing, which will explain more fully, my position and the care needed in proctoscopy.
The lotion I would suggest to apply is one used by the late Dr. James P. Tuttle, Aq. Fl. Ext. Ratany.
Recipe.
Mascerate 1# Ground Ratany Bark for 24 hours. Percolate through this, 20% Glycerine and 80% water. Allow percolate to pass through twice and evaporate to 1# liquid, use from 20 to 50% solution.
Preferably I use Haynes chair, as it will not tax the patient.
Believe me Doctor, when I say this is a matter of conscience, not desiring influence or emolument and only the devotion I hold for the President urges me to give you the result of my experience of eighteen years research upon this region of the body.
Hoping this reaches you in time to correct what has taken place, is the wish of
Your most Humble Servant,
James Earl Marshall
JEM/RD
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Marshall, James Earl, “James E. Marshall to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 October 3, WWP15866, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.