The Health of the First Ladies: Medical Histories from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama

by Deppisch, Ludwig M. , M. D.

  “Doctor Thomas Sewall.” Baltimore Sun, March 24, 1845.

  “Dr. Thomas Sewall,” New Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette, April 17, 1845.

  “Dr. W.W. Johnston’s Funeral Tomorrow,” Washington Times, March 23, 1902.

  “Doctors Remove Benign Lump from Breast of Rosalynn Carter,” Toledo Blade, April 29, 1977.

  “Doctors Step Up Therapy Program for Mrs. Nixon,” Los Angeles Times, July 14, 1976.

  “The Doctor’s World: A White House Puzzle: Immunity Ailments,” New York Times, May 27, 1991.

  Dwyer, Devin. “Barbara Bush May Be Released from Hospital.” ABC News, March 30, 2010.

  Dwyer, Devin, Ann Compton and Gina Sunseri. “Former First Lady Barbara Bush Had ‘Mild Relapse’ of Graves’ Disease.” ABC News, March 31, 2010.

  “Ex-1st Lady OK After Hip Surgery,” Chicago Tribune, May 8, 1981.

  Face the Nation. CBS, December 24, 2006.

  “Fear for Hillary Clinton as She Is Rushed to Hospital with Blood Clot Just Three Weeks After Suffering Concussion,” Daily Mail (UK), December 31, 2012.

  “First Lady Begins Radiation Treatment,” Washington Post, January 4, 1990.

  “First Lady Cancels Trip to Australia,” Los Angeles Times, August 27, 2007.

  “First Lady Heckled at Holy Sites in Jerusalem,” Los Angeles Times, March 23, 2005.

  “First Lady Laura Bush Had a Skin Cancer Tumor Removed from Her Right Shin,” MSNBC, December 19, 2006.

  “First Lady Laura Bush to Undergo Surgery for Pinched Nerves in Neck,” Fox News, September 7, 2007.

  “First Lady Makes Short Kabul Visit,” Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2005.

  “First Lady Marks First Year Since Cancer Surgery,” Los Angeles Times, October 18, 1988.

  “First Lady Quits Hospital Today,” New York Times, August 13, 1963.

  “First Lady Ready for Folksy Ways,” New York Times, March 31, 1952.

  “First Lady Sees Play in Guadalupe.” Arizona Republic, June 17, 2006.

  “First Lady Starts Radiation Therapy for Eyes,” New York Times, January 4, 1990.

  “First Lady Welcomed Home by Crowd, Jazz Combo,” Los Angeles Times, October 23, 1987.

  “First Lady Will Undergo Surgery,” Los Angeles Times, September 8, 2007.

  “First Lady’s Health Is Whose Business?,” Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1987.

  “Form of Cortisone Prescribed for First Lady’s Eye Ailment,” New York Times, August 23, 1989.

  “Frail Nancy Reagan Soldiers On,” National Enquirer, March 4, 2013.

  “Funeral for Coolidge’s Son at 4 p.m. Today.” Chicago Daily Tribune, July 9, 1924.

  “General Delaney Dies; Physician to Taft,” Wilkes-Barre Record, November 13, 1936.

  Goldberg, Jonah. “The Irony of Michelle Obama’s Water Campaign.” Los Angeles Times, October 1, 2013.

  “Good News—Twice for Harry Truman,” United Press International, May 19, 1959.

  “Grover’s Baby.” Atlanta Constitution, October 4, 1891.

  “Harding’s Widow Is Seriously Ill,” New York Times, November 3, 1924.

  “Herbert Hoover Jr. to Convalesce at Asheville,” The Lewiston Star, October 16, 1930.

  “Hillary Clinton Making ‘Excellent Progress,’ Doctors Say,” USA Today, January 1, 2013.

  “Hillary Clinton Recovering at Home Following Concussion Caused by Fall,” Guardian (UK), December 15, 2012.

  “If It Only Were a Boy!” Chicago Daily Tribune, October 4, 1891.

  “Important Surgical Operation.” Baltimore Sun, November 6, 1839.

  “In Breast Cancer, Treatment Dilemma Persists,” Washington Post, October 20, 1987.

  The Indianapolis News, October 24, 25, 1892.

  “Jack Jones: Pat Nixon’s Doctors Optimistic,” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1976.

  “Jacqueline and Baby ‘Doing Fine,’” Washington Post, November 26, 1960.

  “Jon Nordheimer: Doctors Say Mrs. Nixon Is Showing Improvement,” New York Times, July 10, 1976.

  “Kennedy Alters Schedule to Stay Close to New Son,” New York Times, November 26, 1960.

  “Kennedy Baby Dies at Boston Hospital; President at Hand,” New York Times, August 9, 1963.

  “Kennedy Reaches Ill Wife’s Side,” Washington Post, August 29, 1956.

  “Kennedy Son Yawns, Gurgles at Baptism,” Los Angeles Times, December 9, 1960.

  “Kennedys Have Daughter,” Washington Post, November 28, 1957.

  “Lady Bird Johnson, 94, Dies; Eased a Path to Power,” New York Times, July 12, 2007.

  “Laura Bush Has Surgery for Pinched Nerve,” New York Times, September 8, 2007.

  “Laura Bush Says She First Thought Skin Cancer Was an Insect Bite,” USA Today, December 24, 2006.

  “Laura Bush: Skin Cancer ‘No Big Deal,’” Washington Post, December 19, 2006.

  “The Manic Lawrence,” Washington Globe, February 4, 1835.

  “Mastectomy Is Not the Only Choice,” letter to the editor, Chicago Tribune, October 31, 1987.

  “Mastectomy Seen as Extreme for Small Tumor,” New York Times, October 18, 1987.

  “Memorandum of the Particulars of a Conversation with R. Lawrence,” Connecticut Courant, February 7, 1835.

  “More Surgery Options Tied to Changing Medical Views,” Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1987.

  “More Women Seek X-Rays of Breasts,” New York Times, November 1, 1987.

  “Most Breast Lesions Not Malignant, Experts Say,” Chicago Tribune, October 17, 1987.

  “Mrs. Carter ‘Just Fine’ Following Minor Surgery,” Ellensburg Daily Record, August 15, 1977.

  “Mrs. Cleveland a Mother,” Washington Post, October 4, 1891.

  “Mrs. Eisenhower and a Rumor,” New York Times, November 3, 1973.

  “Mrs. Eisenhower Sick; May Miss Wedding,” New York Times, December 20, 1968

  “Mrs. Ford Faces a Breast Biopsy,” New York Times, September 28, 1974.

  “Mrs. Ford Is Reported Cancer-Free,” New York Times, November 7, 1976.

  “Mrs. Ford Ready to Leave Hospital,” New York Times, October 11, 1974.

  “Mrs. Ford Resumes Her Role as Hostess,” New York Times, October 24, 1974.

  “Mrs. Harding Back in Washington,” New York Times, January 3, 1924.

  “Mrs. Harding Dies After Long Fight,” New York Times, November 22, 1924.

  “Mrs. Harding Ill, but Not Seriously; Not a Breakdown, and She Will Be Out Soon,” New York Times, September 7, 1922.

  “Mrs. Harding Past Crisis of Illness,” New York Times, September 12, 1922.

  “Mrs. Harding Still in Critical State; Shows Slight Gain,” New York Times, September 9, 1922.

  “Mrs. Harding Worse; Recovery Not Sure; Specialists Called,” New York Times, September 8, 1922.

  “Mrs. Harrison’s Illness,” Frank Leslie’s Weekly, September 29, 1892, p. 227.

  “Mrs. Hoover Dies of Heart Attack,” New York Times, January 8, 1944.

  “Mrs. Kennedy Bears Son,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 25, 1960.

  “Mrs. Kennedy Rests at Home,” Washington Post, August 16, 1963.

  “Mrs. Kennedy Told to Curb Her Activities,” Chicago Tribune, August 14, 1963.

  “Mrs. McKinley Dies in Canton Cottage,” New York Times, May 27, 1907.

  “Mrs. McKinley’s Condition Is Reportedly Grave,” New York Times, June 5, 1901.

  “Mrs. McKinley’s Life and Character,” Los Angeles Times, June 14, 1901.

  “Mrs. T. Roosevelt Dies at Oyster Bay,” New York Times, October 1, 1948.

  “Mrs. Taft Can’t Meet Guests,” New York Times, May 22, 1909.

  “Mrs. Taft Ill Here, President with Her,” New York Times, May 15, 1911.

  “Mrs. Taft Still Ill; Not at Garden Party,” New York Times, May 29, 1909.

  “Mrs. Taft Still Improves” New York Times, May 20, 1909.

  “Mrs. Taft Will Rest,” New York Times, May 20, 1911.

  “Mrs. Taft’s Illness Due to Social C
auses,” New York Times, May 19, 1909.

  “Mrs. Truman Has Operation; Tumor Removed from Left Breast,” Chicago Daily Tribune, May 19, 1959.

  “Mrs. Truman Home in ‘Excellent’ Condition,” Chicago Daily Tribune, June 4, 1959.

  “Mrs. Truman Retires with Nation’s Esteem,” Los Angeles Times, January 18, 1953.

  “Mrs. Truman’s Cheerfulness Reason Plain,” Los Angeles Times, March 30, 1952.

  “Mrs. W.H. Taft Dies; President’s Widow,” New York Times, May 22, 1943.

  “Mrs. Wilson Dies in the White House,” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1914.

  “Mrs. Wilson Dies in White House,” New York Times, August 7, 1914.

  “Mrs. Wilson Needs Rest,” New York Times, June 21, 1913.

  “Mrs. Wilson Won’t Even Discuss Remarriage,” New York Times, October 2, 1925.

  “Nancy Reagan Defends Her Decision to Have Mastectomy,” New York Times, March 5, 1988.

  “Nancy Reagan Has Tumor Removed from Her Face,” New York Times, August 30, 1990.

  “Nancy Reagan Hospitalized with Broken Pelvis,” People, October 15, 2008.

  “Nancy Reagan Urges Breast Checkups,” Chicago Tribune, October 21, 1987.

  “The Nation: Bush Resumes Hyperspeed; Is He Up to It?,” New York Times, June 2, 1991.

  “The Nation: The Most Fear of Tumors,” Time, October 7, 1974.

  “New Attitudes Ushered In by Betty Ford,” New York Times, October 17, 1987.

  New Hampshire Gazette, March 10, 1834.

  New York Daily Times, March 23, 1853.

  New York Times, July 16, 1879.

  New York Times, October 2, 1925.

  New York Tribune, October 25, 1892.

  “Newborn Kennedy Son Ill,” Chicago Tribune, August 8, 1963.

  “No Hope for Mrs. McKinley,” New York Times, May 24, 1907.

  “No Hope for Mrs. McKinley,” New York Times, May 25, 1907.

  “No Hope for Mrs. McKinley,” New York Times, May 26, 1907

  “Obama’s NSA Plan to Pre-Empt Privacy Board,” USA Today, January 9, 2014.

  “Obituary,” Washington Intelligencer, September 12–13, 1842.

  “Obituary: John W. Walsh, 87, Kennedy Obstetrician,” New York Times, November 25, 2000.

  “Obituary of Dr. Franklin A. Gardner,” New York Times, February 13, 1903.

  “Obituary of Letitia Tyler.” Baltimore Sun, September 14, 1842, page 4.

  “Obituary of Letitia Tyler,” Washington Globe, September 13, 1842.

  “Off for Canton Home,” Washington Post, July 6, 1901.

  “Official Announcements: Bulletins from the Bedside.” Associated Press to Los Angeles Times, May 17, 1901.

  “Operate on Calvin, Jr.; Doctors Battle for Boy’s Life,” Los Angeles Times, July 6, 1924.

  “Operation on President’s Son Called Success: Father and Mother Spent Night at Hospital.” Atlanta Constitution, July 6, 1924.

  “Pat Leaves Hospital, Says She ‘Feels Fine,’” Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1976.

  “Pat Nixon, Former First Lady, Dies at 81,” New York Times, June 23, 1993.

  “Pat Nixon Returns Home After Stroke,” Los Angeles Times, August 23, 1983.

  “Pat Nixon Suffers Stroke, Spends 5 Days in Hospital,” Los Angeles Times, August 22, 1983.

  “Pat Reading ‘That’ on the Day of Stroke,” Chicago Tribune, August 9, 1976.

  “Perform Operation on Mrs. Harding,” New York Times, November 8, 1924.

  “President Is Well After Operation to Ease Prostate,” New York Times, January 6, 1987.

  “President’s Son Is Seriously Ill; Foot Is Poisoned,” Atlanta Constitution, July 5, 1924.

  “Prognosis Good Even If Lesion Is Cancerous,” Washington Post, October 17, 1987.

  Radcliffe, Donnie. “Appreciation: Pat Nixon: Cloth Coat, Ironclad Devotion,” Washington Post, June 23, 1993.

  “Radiation Therapy Is Weighed for Mrs. Bush,” New York Times, December 1, 1989.

  “Robert B. Semple Jr.: A Stoic Pat Nixon Is Recalled by Aide,” New York Times, August 14, 1976.

  “Rosalynn Carter Has Benign Lump Taken from Breast,” New York Times, April 28, 1977.

  “Rosalynn Carter Reported ‘Fine’ After Surgery,” Washington Post, August 16, 1977.

  Safire, William. “Political Spouse,” New York Times, June 24, 1993.

  “2d Son Born to Kennedys; Has Lung Illness,” New York Times, August 8, 1963.

  “Senate Committee Names 3 Leading Physicians to Examine Fall for Them and Make a Report,” New York Times, January 31, 1924.

  “Services Today for President’s Son,” New York Times, July 9, 1924.

  “Stable: Barbara Bush Learned After Two Hours of Tests,” Orlando Sentinel, November 29, 1989.

  “Standing by for Mrs. Nixon,” editorial, Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1976.

  “Stroke Hospitalizes Mrs. Truman,” Los Angeles Times, September 28, 1981.

  “Successful Neck Surgery for First Lady Laura Bush,” Fox News, September 8, 2007.

  “Teddy Roosevelt’s Widow Dies at 87.” Chicago Daily Tribune, October 1, 1948.

  “Temperance Lecture on a Large Scale,” New Hampshire Sentinel, December 29, 1841.

  Tennessee Williams letter to the editor, New York Times, December 6, 1972.

  “Therapy Expert Aids Mrs. Nixon,” Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1976.

  Trafford, Abigail. “Me, Bush and Graves’ Disease: Many Thyroid Patients Face an Emotional Roller Coaster,” Washington Post, May 26, 1991.

  “Truman’s Widow Bess Dead at 97,” Chicago Tribune, October 19, 1982.

  “2009 Historians Presidential Leadership Survey,” C-SPAN, 2012.

  “Van Valzah Renounces Allopathy,” New York Times, November 29, 1882.

  “What Laura Bush Can Teach You About Skin Cancer,” ABC News, December 19, 2006.

  “White House Defends Laura Bush’s Decision Not to Disclose Skin Cancer Removal,” Fox News, December 19, 2006.

  “White House Stayed Quiet on Laura Bush Cancer Surgery,” Independent (UK), December 20, 2006.

  “Wife of Sen. Kennedy Loses Unborn Baby,” Chicago Daily Tribune, August 24, 1956.

  “World Briefing,” New York Times, October 1, 2003.

  Letters, Notes and Diaries

  Axson, Ellen. Savannah, Georgia, to Ellen Axson Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1887.

  Axson, Stockton. Brooklyn, New York, to Ellen Axson Wilson, Princeton, New Jersey, November 7, 1897.

  Brown, Louisa Hoyt. Gainesville, Georgia, to Ellen Axson Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1885.

  _____. Gainesville, Georgia, to Woodrow Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, April 16, 17, 1886; March 16, 1887.

  Churchville, Lida Holland. Washington, D.C., to the author, September 5, 2009.

  Daugherty, Harry. To Florence Harding, February 16, 1923.

  Davis, Edward P. Philadelphia, to Dr. Cary T. Grayson, Washington, D.C., July 22, 1913; February 12, 1914; February 24, 1914.

  _____. Philadelphia, to Dr. Cary T. Grayson, the White House, April 7, 1914; May 16, 1914.

  Dimmick, Mary Lord. Diary entries, May 20, 1892. Benjamin Harrison Home.

  _____. Indianapolis, to Mrs. Putzi, September 23, 1891. Benjamin Harrison Home.

  _____. Loon Lake, New York, to May Saunders Harrison, Cape May, New Jersey, July 28, 1892.

  Eisenhower, Dwight D. Versailles, France, to Mamie Eisenhower, Washington, D.C., September 23, 1944.

  Erwin, Beth. To Ellen Axson Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1885.

  Fillmore, Millard. Buffalo, New York, to Julia, his sister, April 12, 1953. Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

  _____. Note: “Funeral Expenses of Mrs. F at Washington,” April 17, 1853. Special Collections, Penfield Library, SUNY Oswego.

  _____. Washington, D.C., to Franklin Pierce, Washington, D.C., March 28, 1853. Special Collections, Penfield Library, State University of New York at Oswego.

  Gardner,
Franklin A. Letters to Benjamin Harrison, September 5, 1898; January 15, 22, 1899. Library of Congress Benjamin Harrison collection.

  Gardner, Mrs. Franklin. Notes to Benjamin Harrison, March 18, 1892; April 1, 1892.

  Grayson, Cary. Letter to Colonel Edward House, August 20, 1914. House Papers.

  Hardin, B.L. To Florence Harding, December 11, 1922.

  _____. To Florence Harding, undated.

  Harding, Florence. To Evalyn McLean, February 5, 1923.

  Harrison, Benjamin. Indianapolis, to Dr. F.E. Doughty, New York, November 10, 1897; June 3, 1898.

  _____. Indianapolis, to Dr. E.L. Trudeau, Saranac Lake, New York, March 22, 1899. Library of Congress Benjamin Harrison Collection.

  _____. To Russell Harrison, October 11, 1892. Library of Congress, Benjamin Harrison Collection.

  _____. United States Senate, to Dr. Thomas A. Emmet, New York, June 13, 1883.

  _____. United States Senate, to his cousin Maggie, February 12, 1883.

  Howe, George. To Ellen Axson Wilson, Gainesville, Georgia, May 2, 1886.

  Hoyt, Mary E. Rome, Georgia, to Ellen A. Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1885; November 7, 1885, December 13, 1885, February 23, 1887; March 13, 1887.

  _____. Rome, Georgia, to Woodrow Wilson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1885; August 30, 1887.

  Monroe, James. Albemarle County, Virginia, to Charles Everett, Albemarle County, Virginia, January 13, 1810.

  _____. Albemarle County, Virginia, to Charles Everett, Albemarle County, Virginia, July 1, 1820. Tyler’s Historical Quarterly 5: 18. New York: Kraus Reprint, 1967.

  _____. Albemarle County, Virginia, to Charles Everett, Albemarle County, Virginia, July 9, 1820.

  _____. Albemarle County, Virginia, to Elizabeth Trist, Albemarle County, Virginia, March 6, 1810.

  _____. Oak Hill, Virginia, to James Madison, Montpelier, Virginia, March 20, 1829.

  _____. Oak Hill, Virginia, to Samuel Gouverneur, New York, New York, February 24, 1826.

  _____. Oak Hill, Virginia, to Samuel Gouverneur, New York, New York, December 29, 1826. James Monroe Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

  _____. Oak Hill, Virginia, to Samuel Gouverneur, New York, New York, September 23, 1830. James Monroe Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

  _____. Washington, D.C., to Charles Everett, July 6, 1824.

  _____. Washington, D.C., to Charles Everett, Albemarle County, Virginia, November 13, 1823. Tyler’s Historical Quarterly 5: 21. New York: Kraus Reprint, 1967.