The Washington times., 1919-11-27
PRESIDENT HAS ALL
NATION AS DOCTOR
Letters of Advice Reach White
House From Everywhere
In America.

The two most human qualities dis
played by the people Of a great ma
tion when their titular head or pop
ular idol is overtaken by sickness or
misfortune are sympathy and advice.
Never has this fact been more
clearly demonstrated than during the
present serious illness OF President
Wilson. From the time of the first
announcement that the President had
been forced to cancel all engage
ments up to the present the peo-
pie of this country have ceaselessly.
day by day. poured out to him their
expressions of sympathy and advice.
or this great sympathy the Presi-
dent has as yet heard nothing. Am
oassadors, foreign ministers, Senators,
Representatives. Cabinet members,
high officials of state and delega-
tions Of citizens have called at the
White House to pay their respects.
Kings and potentates have cabled
their expressions OF sympathy and re-
gard. All communications have been
received and formally acknowledged,
then carefully hid away in the White
House archives. The Presidents phys
icians have decreed that his only hope
for compelte recovery lies in his abb
solute seclusion and rest. both phys
ical and mental.
All SePts and Conditions.
The messages of sympathy differ
only in the manner of expression
from the carefully worded and cor
rectly formal notes of the diplomat
to the rudely scrawled outpourings Of
the Presidents humblest but most
ardent admirers.
Officially. Rear Admiral Cary T.
Grayson, the Presidents personal
physician, has had the assistance and
advice Of but six other eminent medi-
cal men, but unofncially and gratu-
itously he is advised by thousa nds Of
people daily. Every person In the
United States that ever recovered
from anything like a similar affec-
ton, It would seem from a general
survey of the daily mail receipts. has
taken the proverbial pen in hand
and offered the benefit of their ex-
periences for the consideration of DR..
Grayson.
With every curve on the chart OF
the Presidents illness as indicated
by the two daily ha:iet.ns issued from
the White House there follow hun
dreds of letters AMI telegranIs ad-
visins what SHOULD be done according
to the personal experiences of the
writers. Many OF the letters are fol-
/ iVVcu Uy from
herbs with Instructions. 20 talented
cure-alls. Various devices. mechanical
and otherwise. have found their way
to the Executive Manson with minute
instructions as to their uses.
| Cults Offer Advice.
Devotees of every kind nf health
cult have volunteered to help with
their treatment. attn cures OF all
kinds have been offered. In fact, 20
the White House attaches at least,
the whole nation seems to be pre-
lscribing for the President.
Mrs. Wilson has not escaped the
tide. Many of the letters addressed
Ito her have been OF the admonitory
old wife" character. counseling her as
to how she can best care for Mr.
Wilson and recounting the sender s
personal experiences in caring for her
l"good man."
Both Mrs. Wilson and DR. Grayson
lhave been deeply moved by the evil
dent sincerity of these letters, and
although their numbers preclude the
possibility of their giving each one
their personal attention each has
frequently expressed appreciation OF
the good intention of the public.