FC Rafferty to Cary T. Grayson

Title

FC Rafferty to Cary T. Grayson

Creator

Rafferty, FC

Identifier

WWP15880

Date

1919 October 4

Description

W.C. Rafferty writes to Cary T. Grayson to recommend abdominal breathing to aid President Wilson in sleep.

Source

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

Text

Fort Stevens, OR

Admiral Cary T. Grayson, USN
Washington, DC

Dear Admiral Grayson

I will introduce myself to you by referring to Sec’y and Mrs. Daniels and the aide of the Secretary, Cmdr.Commander Foote, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and escorting during their recent visit to Astoria; Maj. Gen. Coe, Chief of Coast Artillery is a long time friend.

I write because I think I can help our great President whose condition causes so much concern in the hearts of all. You are his physician and I address this direct to you, and confidentially.

No one should be astonished at the result of so much concentration of mental energy for so long a time; we spoke about it here and about the possibility of nervous prostration; judging his disposition by his smile. I was of the opinion that he was proof against it.

From the papers I gather that one of his troubles is insomnia, failure to obtain needed sleep. I have experienced that, and I developed a remedy. That is my secret so far, and I am not ready to make it public,—which is an additional reason for this communication being confidential. I give it to you for the benefit of the President; here it is. You have frequently observed a man in deep slumber, noted his breathing. Simulate this action. Using the abdominal muscles to begin inhalation, slowly and steadily inhale a full breath, then slowly exhale; exhale to complete relaxation of the whole body. Two features therefore are embodied in the action, one, regular deep breathing, the other complete relaxation. This is all. I beg that you do not class me as a simpleton because of the simplicity of the remedy, I have practiced it for four years and I now sleep as much as seven hours—occasionally; often six and a half continuously, and sometimes eight, not continuously. I know that the method succeeds with me,—more than this I can not asseverate as knowledge. Should you desire to see me on the subject, it is a simple matter to have me ordered to report to the Chief of Coast Artillery; no one need know the why or wherefore; I am experimenting with wireless telephones under his orders. I would not object to the trip.

You can understand that I have hesitated to write this, but after considerable personal discussion with myself, I concluded that every little counts, and that I ought to take a chance that this little bit might count in the alleviation of the President’s condition. You can make such use of it as you see fit.

With much esteem

Believe me,
Very sincerely yours

FC Rafferty,
Col, USA.

Original Format

Letter

To

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D00386.pdf

Tags

Citation

Rafferty, FC, “FC Rafferty to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 October 4, WWP15880, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.