Theodore C. Hagenow letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - November 24, 1918
Transcript
MEDICAL SUPPLY OFFICE BASE HOSPITAL No 58 American Expeditionary Forces A.P.O. No 919 France [November] 24 1918 Dear Dr. Whelpley, I have long felt that I owed my Alma Mater and old friends a few minutes of my spare time. It is needless to say that I had arrived in France safely as this letter is self evident. Prior to the past few weeks I have done very little to keep in touch with my pharmaceutical training. On my arrival over here was busily engaged in the rudimentary construction the hospital. This required about two weeks. Then we commenced receiving patients. For a time we were too busy to turn, and my correspondence was sadly neglected. I even forgot home and wife and that is going some for a newly-wed Doctor Ill tell you we lost so many at first from Pneumonia a fellow did not know wether he was coming or going. I happened to be with the grave digging squad. Truly I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I lasted here about two weeks and then was called upon to relieve one of our boys as ward master in a Pneumonia ward. Here I obtained some wonderful experience. AND was able to cope with the situation exceedingly well. Our losses by death decreased miraculously. Well I served this position faithfully and was promoted to the grade of nurse. Then I experienced some difficulty myself. I was quarentined as a carrier of Meningitis. After two weeks of confinement was able to return three negative cultures and so was liberated. Then I was assigned to my present station. Believe me Im glad Im here doing something in my line of worker I would get rusty on my return.
Transcript
During my service over here I met two of our Alumni memebers. Kenneth Robinson Ph.G. [1915] and Oliver E. Pfeffer Ph.G. [1912]. The former was a classmate of mine and it did my heart good to have met a “frat” brother over here. He was then a supply sergent of Evacuation Hospital no.15 which remained here long enough to obtain supplies prior to moving to the front. The latter was our supply sergeant up to today . He has just received his commission as Second Lieutenent of the Sanitary Corps and is leaving shortly for a Camp Hospital in southern France. He, if you remember he is a brother to Robert Pfeffer also an Alumnus Of the good old Alma Mater. And In recognition of this fact I have asked Ollie to Censor this letter. Trusting to soon have the pleasure of again serving my Alma Mater, wishing it the greatest of “Good Luck” and extending to each and every member of its Faculty, Board of Trustees and Alumni my most sincere wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and most prosperous New year most respectfully yours Theodore C. Hagenow Base Hospital No 58 American Expeditionary Forces A.PAO. 919 [censor’s signature]
Details
| Title | Theodore C. Hagenow letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - November 24, 1918 |
| Creator | Hagenow, Theodore C. |
| Source | Hagenow, Theodore C. Letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. 24 November 1918. Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley Collection, 1826-1929. A1737. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Theodore C. Hagenow sent this letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. Dr. Whelpley was the dean of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and editor of the Meyer Brothers Druggist magazine. Hagenow described the pneumonia epidemic in France and his bout with meningitis. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Base Hospital No. 58; Influenza |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A1737 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | November 24, 1918 |
| Language | English |