"IRON LUNG” MAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 308, 29 December 1937, Page 5

"IRON LUNG” MAN

LETTERS TELL OF COURAGE SECRET OF HAPPINESS IS HIS RELIGION HE SAYS. "The Man in the Iron Lung,” Frederick B. Snite, Jr., of Chicago, has written to a Sydney nurse, Miss Ailsa McDonald Sutherland, describing vividly his amazing life since he was stricken with infantile paralysis while on a world tour about two years ago. In the letter, this stricken son of an American millionaire refers to himself as "young Snite in his boiler.” About eight months ago, Miss Sutherland saw a newsreel depicting the transportation of Snite, in his huge respirator, from a Shanghai wharf to the deck of the liner, President Coolidge. She had read of his fortitude, admired his courage. And she decided that though he might never be able to visit Australia, he should learn about the country and its inhabitants. Retinue of Servants. Not knowing his address, she addressed her letter to "Frederick B. Snite, jun., Iron Lung, Chicago.” It found him! An immediate reply came from Snite. He told of his homeward trip from China by rail and ship; of the delicate manner in which he was removed from the Peking Union Medical College (since destroyed by Japanese bombs) and of the precautions taken to ensure that the iron lung never faltered. A retinue of people stood by, ever redy to do his bidding. His father, mother and sister, Terrence Dillon (a Notre Dame schoolmate), Mr. Murphy (financial secretary to his father), Miss Giles, Miss Mary Loretto (his secretary), Dr. Forkner, Miss Poo (physio-therapist), two American and seven Chinese nurses accompanied him on his travels. Models in Hospital. Recently his sister celebrated a birthday, and he decided to give her a new evening dress. A fashion parade was held ip his room at the Billings Hospital, Chicago, where he was a patient, and mannequins paraded before him while he selected the dress. Now at home in his father’s palatial summer residence at Miami Beach, Florida, Snite sees the world by means of adjustable mirrors. A ceiling lined with full-length mirrors enables him to watch the activities of the household. A table at the side of the "iron,

■ ----- lung” makes possible his mid-day game of chess with his father and cards in the evening. "God Has Been Good.” Throughout his letters to Miss Sutherland, he shows great fortitude, despite the fact that he may have to remain in the respirator for seven years. He says that his illness had developed in him an appreciation of his Catholic religion. Early in the new year he hopes to be placed in a new Swedish respirator, in which only his chest will be encased. At the end of his latest letter, Snite says, "Some have asked me the secret of why I am happy in this, a difficult position The answer is simple—because God has been so good to me.”