Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-03
MARTYRS WIFE
PROUD IN TEARS
Overwork Killed Physician
Who Released Others
for War Service
HERO, SAYS MRS. CRIGCS
Doctor Persuaded Friends to
Go Overseas When He
Was Rejected

"He was a martyr TO his country and
his profession" was the tribute paid TO-
dsy by his widow to Or. William &,
Grlggs. bbs North F1fty-eighth street
who died yesterday from overwork.
Dr. Griggs fell dead IN the operating
room at the Mtsericordia Hospital. when
stricken with heart disease. lie had
heen attending hundreds OF patients for
three other physicians. whose practice
he took over TO enable them to offer
their services for work overseas, after
he had been rejected. Loss of sleep and
the constant strain proved fatal
II am just as proud ~ my husband
ms If he had been killed in action" said
Mrs Grlggs, through her tears
Doctor GrigEs not only accepted the
responsibility of caring for the patients
OF his friends, but he also gave to their
dependents left behind all the income
sccruing from the work. The task he
set for himself was almost superhumau,
at ono time during the height Of the
influenza epidemic more than 125 calls
day being made. but ho stuck bravely
10 his task. despite frequent warnings
ot ovcrwork given by his heart.
MED In Operating Room
Doctor Grigrs was called from his
sleep early yesterday morning to attend
n patient n client Of one of tho doc
tors for whom Doctor Griggs was sub
stituting He saw that an Immediate
operation was necessary and had the
patient taken TO the hospital going along
TO perform the operation. His over
strained heart gave out in the operating
room and the physician fell dead.
takes In the fate mot by her husband
II reflected in the attitude Of her son.
William, and daughter, Ethel Grief
over the death of their parent is some
what tempered by the thought that he
gave his life for his country Just as
surely as did those men who fought and
died on the battledelds Of France.
The funeral arrangements have not
been completed. Friends Of Doctor
Grisgs and his family are planning a
fitting testimonial TO his popularity
as a physician and man
Doctor Griggs was born in Ports
mouth, England, ffty-two years ago
He came TO this country when he was
seventeen years old and took up the
study of medicine in New York. He was
graduated from the University of New
York and later from the Medico-Chir,ir-
cical Hospital in this city. After gradu-
ating he and his wife went to Burmah,
India, TO engage in missionary work.
returning TO Philadelphia about thir-
teen years ago
Persuaded Friends to Go
Doctor Griggs tried to enlist as soon
as the United States declared war on
Germany. On being rejected by the
authorities he devoted his time to per-
suading friends to 60 into the service.
Three physicians in the vicinity of his
home agreed TO take his place at the
front II he would care for their work
at home He gladly agreed to do this.
and added that he would also give ali
the returns from their patients TO their
dependents.
At the front by proxy and i'm Pbila.
delphia because of weak heart, the
doctor gave everything he could to help
mako the war success. During the
last several months he has averaged
less than five hours sleep a day. The
calls of 125 patients during the epi-
denic proved a severe strain on his con-
stitution. but he stuck 20 the work and
seemed to be recuperating lately.
Then his heart suddenly gave out. The
warning had gone unheeded by hin,
during his strenuous work and nature
finally collected her toll.