Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass
Title
Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass
Creator
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928
Identifier
WWP18827
Date
1927 September 16
Description
Benjamin Strong Jr. writes Carter Glass about Mr. Allen's health problems.
Source
Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, New York Federal Reserve Bank
Language
English
Text
My dear Senator,
The news contained in your letter about Mr. Allen concerns me very much indeed. When I left it seemed to me that he was improving and that he felt rather cheerful about the outlook. Dr. Miner, who had just returned from Europe, had not yet seen him when I last called at the hospital, and I, therefore, had no opportunity to learn of Dr. Miner’s opinion.
From your letter I gather that he is to have the operation technically knwown as a surgical collapse, and not simply the pneumo-thorax, that is the much more common treatment of collapsing the lung by introducing air under pressure between the wall of the lung and the pleura.
It does not seem to me that you need be hopeless of his recovery even though it is necessary for him to undergo this really desperately severe operation, one of the most extensive and difficult ones that I know iof.
I have a friend in Colorado who was in the hospital there when I was a patient who had been ill for at least four years, and this treatment was finally resorted to. The operation took place in 1923 and my friend is now practically cured and able to do almost anything except very violent forms of exercise.
Of course, younger people have a much more difficult fight with this terrible disease than older people have. For some reason resistance is less, and old folks have the advantage of the natural tendency to fibrosis which helps the process of healing the lungs.
I am not sure that you are aware that Mr. Allen and my older son were comrades together in France. It has added greatly to my interest in his recovery as you will realize, and I am writing at once to send you and your daughter my earnest wishes for a successful operation and his complete recovery.
I am sorry also to learn that you hafve been having your troubles. I had exactly the same occurrence in London as the result of a slight motor accident when I caught my foot in a car and it was somewhat injured. Frankly, it did not get well until I was sensible enough to keep off of my foot for a time, and I hope that you will do the same, and would not have suggested a visit had I known that you were laid up.
There is a chance of my being in Washington next week or the week following. If it materializes I shall take the liberty of telegraphong you and possibly we can then arrange a meeting either in Washington, if you are fully recovered, or I shall indeed be glad to go to Lynchburg. I am grateful to you for this kind suggestion.
Again, with many good wishes for Mr. Allen’s recovery, and my kindest regards to your good self, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
The news contained in your letter about Mr. Allen concerns me very much indeed. When I left it seemed to me that he was improving and that he felt rather cheerful about the outlook. Dr. Miner, who had just returned from Europe, had not yet seen him when I last called at the hospital, and I, therefore, had no opportunity to learn of Dr. Miner’s opinion.
From your letter I gather that he is to have the operation technically knwown as a surgical collapse, and not simply the pneumo-thorax, that is the much more common treatment of collapsing the lung by introducing air under pressure between the wall of the lung and the pleura.
It does not seem to me that you need be hopeless of his recovery even though it is necessary for him to undergo this really desperately severe operation, one of the most extensive and difficult ones that I know iof.
I have a friend in Colorado who was in the hospital there when I was a patient who had been ill for at least four years, and this treatment was finally resorted to. The operation took place in 1923 and my friend is now practically cured and able to do almost anything except very violent forms of exercise.
Of course, younger people have a much more difficult fight with this terrible disease than older people have. For some reason resistance is less, and old folks have the advantage of the natural tendency to fibrosis which helps the process of healing the lungs.
I am not sure that you are aware that Mr. Allen and my older son were comrades together in France. It has added greatly to my interest in his recovery as you will realize, and I am writing at once to send you and your daughter my earnest wishes for a successful operation and his complete recovery.
I am sorry also to learn that you hafve been having your troubles. I had exactly the same occurrence in London as the result of a slight motor accident when I caught my foot in a car and it was somewhat injured. Frankly, it did not get well until I was sensible enough to keep off of my foot for a time, and I hope that you will do the same, and would not have suggested a visit had I known that you were laid up.
There is a chance of my being in Washington next week or the week following. If it materializes I shall take the liberty of telegraphong you and possibly we can then arrange a meeting either in Washington, if you are fully recovered, or I shall indeed be glad to go to Lynchburg. I am grateful to you for this kind suggestion.
Again, with many good wishes for Mr. Allen’s recovery, and my kindest regards to your good self, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Original Format
Letter
To
Glass, Carter, 1858-1946
Files
Collection
Citation
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928, “Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass,” 1927 September 16, WWP18827, Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.