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U.S.N.M. Washington, D.C.
15 Sept. 1970

Dear Jack: 

I think you have probably seen Doris at the worst of her present attack. I have been aware of her change from normalcy since early July, when her elation stage first began. You saw her the week after she learned of her apartment loss. That week she must have been pretty near collapse. Then you and your mother saw her the following week. She wrote me the 27th that she had had an "acute premenstrual tension" when she couldn't sleep more than 4 hours a night, but that had broken, and she was sleeping 14 hours a night. You saw her during this "acute" stage. I am hoping that she is calming down a little now, but fear for her when her suit against this real estate man comes up. 

You know that I lived for 4 years at the Boston Psychopathic Hospital doing intern work in examining patients, both in the hospital and the O.P.D. It was a long time ago, but I had a lot of experience. From that I would say that Doris is a very mild case of manic-depressive. And she didn't have it till she was 40. It is a thing that is liable to recur, so I have been on the watch for it. It is not a psychosis that ends in any deterioration after the attacks. A full blown attack is much worse,-the patient is manaical, has to be in a strait jacket in olden times. The classic example is Charles Lamb and his sister. But at the Psychopathic the only restraint used was to wrap the patient in a damp sheet, which immobility caused him to go to sleep, and when that was over, give him prolonged baths of hours in the tub. Of course in the past 50 years the treatment has probably changed. I have come across recently a short note that I am enclosing. I wish you would find out from some mental hospital there in N.Y. if they are using this drug. The only hospital that I know (from Psychopathic days), is the psychopathic ward at Bellevue. If only Doris could be treated with some such drug, it might be a great help. Couldn't you telephone and ask for this information and ask if she could come to the O.P.D. for an examination? I don't think any ordinary psychiatrist practicing on his own would have this at the present time. I have not ventured to write this information to Doris because I didn't think she was in any condition to make decisions, but I know that she thinks a great deal of you and your judgment, and might be able to handle the situation where neither I not anyone else could. She is not to blames for her irrationalities -- as you couldn't help doing 2 years ago. It is some chemical change within her that is causing all of it. I feel that she is trying her best to get on her feet again, and it is pathetic to see it in her letters. 

She said when I called her last Sunday that she was going on a trip to L. George soon, and I have urged her to come down here and have some of my tomatoes, and she seemed to think she might. I hope these trips will help. 

She was much distressed over your mother's appearance, she said she was only a "shadow" of her past self, and felt so certain it is due to the return of the cancer in some part of her body. She said your mother complained of"arthritic" pains, and thought it might be in her bones. I hope that Doris is mistaken.It is dreadful to see our loved ones suffering and we unable to do anything to help. But maybe you can help Doris. 

As ever,