Sciatica

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-11-09

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Recipient

Hall, Frank R.

Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit after returning home from seven weeks in the hospital with rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica. He says he can only hobble a few yards. He provides updates on Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Archie Roosevelt and the grandchildren. Roosevelt asks Kermit to write him about his experiences in the Argonne and the march to the Rhine river. He closes by saying he hopes Kermit will be home soon, unless President Woodrow Wilson does something to his own selfish advantage.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-12-29

President Roosevelt was sorry to hear of Senator Proctor’s illness, and hopes he recovers soon. He has not heard the details of the amendments the House passed on the beef inspection bill, but hopes that the substance of the bill the Senate passed will be preserved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-13

Admiral of the Navy Dewey apologizes to President Roosevelt, as he will be unable to wish Roosevelt a happy New Year in person, as he is still suffering from sciatic pain. Nevertheless, he assures Roosevelt of his steadfast affection, and hopes that “every blessing and happiness may come to you and yours.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-31

Robert C. Kimberly provides a detailed examination of the various afflictions and ailments that marked the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his childhood to his death in January 1919. He describes Roosevelt’s struggles with asthma and poor eyesight as a youth, his battle to control his weight, and details many of the injuries he suffered while living out the strenuous life. Kimberly delves into the serious leg injury Roosevelt suffered in a carriage accident in 1902, his decades long struggle with malaria, his near death experience on the River of Doubt expedition, and the treatment he received after the October 1912 assassination attempt. He notes the many doctors who treated Roosevelt as well as the implications his health problems had for his wife Edith.  

 

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association is found on page three of the article and an advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank is found at its conclusion. 

Assistant Secretary Roosevelt notifies Anna Roosevelt Cowles that his aide will be visiting her soon. He also describes the serious health conditions of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Edith Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1897

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs his daughter Alice that Edith’s sciatica is improving and he is reading to and romping with the children. During his visit to the Lodges, Nannie Cabot Lodge had an attack of the grippe. The Maine disaster has kept him very busy.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898-02-20