Letters: Letters, Aug. 21, 1939

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"The symptoms of 'presidentitis' are pronounced and unmistakable and are as follows: The patient's vocabulary is reduced to the personal pronoun 'I.' There is an acute sensitiveness to newspaper criticism, then come irritability, thirst, unhappiness, loss of sleep, and extreme suspicion of all other statesmen. . . ."

Oomph

Sirs:

So it's the "Oomph" girl now [TIME, July 31, P. 24].

If the Oomph represents the current vogue, I'll take vanilla.

ANGUS MACTAVISH

Allentown, Pa.

Bravery

Sirs:

In the newspapers of the last week and in TIME, July 31, p. 22, there are accounts of Mr. C. J. Bradley of Brooklyn, telling of his bravery in receipt of the news that he has incurable and inoperable cancer. . . . I would not belittle his bravery except that I have received the same shock. I came home from medical examinations about the first of April with news similar to that given Mr. Bradley except that I had been operated on and, I thought, cured, two years ago. Also, I claim the greater shock for I am not yet 40 years old and could use the 13 years difference in our ages to very good account in my position as electrical engineer and in educating my four children. My salary is nowhere near $25,000 per year but it seems to me that only makes it harder because of the more uncertain financial future of my wife and four children.

I do think more cancer sufferers should be told of their condition. Most doctors labor under the impression that patients will commit suicide if told and that they are doing a service by "stringing" the patient "along," as they did with me for some months before I was able to force the truth from them. Knowing my condition now I am able to recognize normal progress of the disease and do not worry over every little upset, wondering what I have done to weaken myself again. Knowing my condition I have spent more time with my sons, I have visited and entertained more of my friends, and I have put my affairs into such shape that my wife can administer the estate. Now I am confined to the house all the time and to my bed 75% of the time and I am appreciating the care and attention lavished on me.

Because my case could have been cured if properly diagnosed when I first went for medical attention, I would feel more content to die if I felt that my experience would encourage doctors to make earlier diagnosis of other cancer cases.

CHARLES A. STORMS

Rogers City, Mich.

Sirs:

When I read of Claude Joseph ("Brad") Bradley under TIME'S heading Medicine, it just makes me enjoy the days that I have lived all the more and forces me to extend my hand in admiration to "Brad" and you.

CHAS. P. HOLMBERG

Chicago, Ill.

Xantippes, Yahoos, Zaneys

Sirs:

Does this advertisement that appeared in a Buffalo newspaper 93 years ago hint that history repeats itself?

"Mr. Winchell,

"Dialectician and Delineator of Eccentric Character.

"Respectfully begs leave to announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Buffalo, that he will appear at McArthur's Garden EVERY EVENING NEXT WEEK, commencing on MONDAY, August 31.