Four years ago, on the theory that all men are vulnerable to the sneaky little task forces of the germ world, authorities at the Army's Walter Reed Hospital created a presidential suite on the third floor. It boasts a spacious living room done in pastel green, and is equipped with a fireplace, gold draperies, bookshelves and porcelain figurine table lamps, a bedroom, a kitchen and a sunroom. Nevertheless, Harry Truman, one of the healthiest Presidents in history, simply refused to get sick. Except for a one-week visit by Mohammed Mossadegh last year, the suite remained empty.
One morning last week...