Reference
X955/1/100
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Date free text
24th Nov 1896
Production date
From: 1896 To: 1896
Scope and Content
5 High Wickham, Hastings
My dear friend
When Willie (1) went away for his holiday last September he had a slight attack of influenza which was repeated when he returned home and was followed by a bad cough – as he could not rid himself of this
cough he consulted Dr. Goodhart who called in Dr. Douglas Powell. (2) To our amazement and horror they both agree that there is a beginning of tuberculosis in one lung, and, acting under their advice, he leaves for the Engadin (3) this week and is to stay there During the winter. The blow is awful. For other calamities I have been prepared, but I was not prepared for this. There has been no consumption either on my side or his mother’s. Even if he should get letter, think what a absence of four months means – practically ruined – appointments abandoned – the big place in Harley St. on hands and little Hale at this critical time placed in the hands of comparative strangers! It seemed as if I must write and tell you and your husband.
Ever affectionately
W. Hale White
(1) White, Sir William Hale- (1857–1949), physician In 1896 Hale-White was found to have tuberculosis of the lungs. He spent the winter in Switzerland but did not become much better; he was advised to give up work completely, but family responsibilities made this impossible and he worked for most of each year, taking two months' holiday in the winter in the Channel Islands or Cornwall. Throughout this difficult time
he continued his hospital work and practice and gradually, as his health recovered, resumed his full activity. He developed a large consulting practice, was fond of speaking at medical societies and in later years often found himself their president, and held many examinerships in materia medica and in medicine.
(2) Probably - Powell, Sir Richard Douglas, first baronet (1842–1925), physician,
(3) St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Level of description
item