varadero Beach 
May 26, 1959 
Dear Bruce: 
Thank you very much for your solicitous letter of the 22nd 
concerning the virus fever vsiiich I experienced recently. It was 
certainly a relief to he able to return to v/ork j^-esterday, after 
two weeks confinement to the house 
Although Dr, Pedro Castillo, Havana’s foremost diagnostician, 
was unable to call it by any other name than, a virus, I thought it 
might be interesting, for purposes of comparison with the symptoms 
experienced by Darsie and Cowan, to set down in this letter the 
facts pertaining to my own case: 
Contracted a. fever on May 10 during the late afternoon and v/ent 
to bed that evening with a temperature of approximately 103°, Was 
administered antibiotics after tvm days continued fever, which 
remained around 102, although on two occasions it rose to almost 
104°. On the 14th, Dr. Mari bona, vdio had been in attendance, called 
in another doctor, who prescribed another type of antibiotic which 
was more specifically chosen for its action on possible intestinal 
bacterial forms. As I had noxv experienced fever, for no apparent 
cause, for five days, I readily obtained Dr, Marlbona’s approval to 
go to Cardenas and have a chest x-ray taken, as well as several 
laboratory tests; blood, urine and even typhoid in spite of last year’s 
shots. ?diile the latter showed nothing, the x-ray revealed a somewhat 
light congestion at the base of the lungs, such as that seen in 
instances of heavy smokers or asmatic patients; neither of which could 
be attributable in my particular case. I had however been experiencing 
a very light and intermittent cough without expectoration. Upon 
discovery of the lung condition, I was taken off all antibiotics and 
administered on four consecutive days, 800,000 units of penicilln and 
streptomycin via intramuscular inoection. ^Daily temperature still 
continued to fluctuate between 101 and 102°. On the 22nd I went to 
Havana to consult Dr, Castillo who vras unable to find anything after 
a complete physical, other than that the lung condition still prevail- 
ed, {fluoroscope observation). He pronounced, in agreement with Dr. 
Mai'ibona, that a virus w’-as responsible, but that it was obvious that 
it vms not reacting to the treatment which had been administered. He 
prescribed ’’Meticorten” (pills containing cortisone) which I took 
thrice dally at meal times. V/lthin 24 hours after this change in 
medicine, the fever left and has not returned, and I am qulcky feeling 
myself again. The pills were taken diuing a three day period. So much 
for that. 
Am certainly sorry to hear that Dick Cowan shu. Dcix* sie 
suffered similar symptoms and trust that they are both vrell once again 
I should certainly be interested in learning of their own particular 
cases Just to see if they paralleled my own to any degree. 
Had a nice letter from Mr, du Pont. It was certainly a relief 
to be able to tell him that I am now back on the Job once again, 
I am taking the liberty of sending a copy of this letter to Dr. 
Schmitt for whatever interest that it may be. 
Sincerely, 
