Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Thanks for trying, Herb!

Yes, much appreciated Herb!

This is from "Mrs. Lincoln" by Clinton p. 167

"The President was distracted, while his wife was paralyzed. She sat next to Willie's bed day by day, trying to erase memories of the sickbed vigil she spent during winter a dozen years before, when she sat by her little Eddie, praying for his recovery before he died."

The quotes below are from Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum,
http://www.lincolnlogcabin.org/education...nology.pdf

Mrs. Lincoln "did all a mother ought or could during Willie's sickness—she never left his side at all after he became dangerous, & almost wore herself out with watching, and she mourns as no one but a mother can at her son's death," reported Benjamin B. French.

Edward “Eddie” Lincoln was three and a half when he became sick with an illness that lasted fifty-two days. Both Mary and Lincoln nursed their son with the accepted treatments of the day, including Wistor’s Balsam of Wild-cherry, an opium-based cough suppressant. The inadequate medicine was not enough to save Eddie who died of pulmonary tuberculosis on February 1, 1850.

Nothing more yet nothing less.Which is worse-old time med or today's meds $$$$$$?

[Edward “Eddie” Lincoln was three and a half when he became sick with an illness that lasted fifty-two days. Both Mary and Lincoln nursed their son with the accepted treatments of the day, including Wistor’s Balsam of Wild-cherry, an opium-based cough suppressant. The inadequate medicine was not enough to save Eddie who died of pulmonary tuberculosis on February 1, 1850]// quote

Anita...THANK YOU!

This is what I remember reading so very long ago but I could not remember for the life of me where I read it. Poor Mary and Abe, poor Eddie!

Even though the opium based cherry syrup was completely useless as far as saving his life, at least it probably kept him sedated enough to minimize his suffering in his final days.

True it did.

Toia, I agree "Poor Mary and Abe, poor Eddie!" And poor Robert. He was young when Eddie died. I wonder how Mary and Lincoln explained the loss to Robert.

No luck! Jean Baker has retired from Goucher College-e-mail-unknown.Sorry everyone!-Herb

Herb, we appreciate all your diligent hard work!

Well,guess what-I got a reply from Jean Baker.She told me to refer to her biography of Mary T.Lincoln.Okay!

Dr. Baker wrote that book so long ago that I suspect she can't remember her sources. She has to be rather elderly now because it has been at least twenty years since she spoke before the Surratt Society, and she was probably about sixty then. Since I am older than that now, I can safely compare ages without disrespect.

(09-03-2014 06:42 PM)HerbS Wrote: [ -> ]Well,guess what-I got a reply from Jean Baker.She told me to refer to her biography of Mary T.Lincoln.Okay!

Thanks for sharing, Herb!

Let me try to get this right

(09-03-2014 07:13 PM)L Verge Wrote: [ -> ]Dr. Baker wrote that book so long ago that I suspect she can't remember her sources. She has to be rather elderly now because it has been at least twenty years since she spoke before the Surratt Society, and she was probably about sixty then. Since I am older than that now, I can safely compare ages without disrespect.

Wow, I'm impressed, that would put you over 80. You sure don't look it.

(09-03-2014 06:42 PM)HerbS Wrote: [ -> ]Well,guess what-I got a reply from Jean Baker.She told me to refer to her biography of Mary T.Lincoln.Okay!

Nice of her to be so helpful, no?

I always agree with Laurie.