Medicine: F.D.R.'s Case History

In tiny Hartsville, S.C. (pop. 5,000), Dr. William Egleston worried over an infantile paralysis patient. Uncertain how to treat the disease—then (1924) relatively unexplored—Dr. Egleston, general practitioner, sent off a letter to a prominent polio victim, asking his advice.

Last week the Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association printed the reply, penned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was then undergoing treatment at Warm Springs.

In clear and detached fashion, F.D.R. told his own case history:

"First symptoms of the illness appeared in August, 1921, when I was thoroughly tired from overwork. I first had...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!