Transcribe
Translate
David R. Elder correspondence, April-May 1945
1945-04-16 Nell Andersen to Dave Elder Page 1
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
Monday eve. April 16, 1945 Dear Mr. Elder, I have just gotten off duty, and found, to my pleasant surprise, a copy of the Scuttlebutt. I want to thank you for sending it to me, and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rapp. It is a great little paper, and one which holds your interest from the first corner to the last. My work here in St. Louis is very interesting, but at times, somewhat depressing. I am working in the psychopathic hospital. Our work means service men, as well as civilians. The thing which makes me happy is to watch many of them get well. As in all hospital work, some do not, but we try to forget that part. We are using electric shock therapy here a great deal. It is used especially for those who are depressed and suffering from shock. The patient is placed on a bed, covered with a rubber mattress and boards. Then two metal absorbers are placed on either temple. After this, so many volts of electricity are sent through the patient. At first, I dreaded to watch this treatment, but after seeing the wonderful results, I'm more than eager too. It lifts the patient out of his depressed state, and he is soon the same person he once was. St. Louis is a nice place, but, oh, what I would give for a good whiff of fresh air, and a glimpse of Washington!
Saving...
prev
next
Monday eve. April 16, 1945 Dear Mr. Elder, I have just gotten off duty, and found, to my pleasant surprise, a copy of the Scuttlebutt. I want to thank you for sending it to me, and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rapp. It is a great little paper, and one which holds your interest from the first corner to the last. My work here in St. Louis is very interesting, but at times, somewhat depressing. I am working in the psychopathic hospital. Our work means service men, as well as civilians. The thing which makes me happy is to watch many of them get well. As in all hospital work, some do not, but we try to forget that part. We are using electric shock therapy here a great deal. It is used especially for those who are depressed and suffering from shock. The patient is placed on a bed, covered with a rubber mattress and boards. Then two metal absorbers are placed on either temple. After this, so many volts of electricity are sent through the patient. At first, I dreaded to watch this treatment, but after seeing the wonderful results, I'm more than eager too. It lifts the patient out of his depressed state, and he is soon the same person he once was. St. Louis is a nice place, but, oh, what I would give for a good whiff of fresh air, and a glimpse of Washington!
World War II Diaries and Letters
sidebar
