Correspondence Between Dr. Wallace Graham and Dr. Rafe C. Chaffin

3 July 1954 Rafe C. Chaffin, M.D. 1137 South Westlake Avenue Los Angeles 6, California My dear Doctor Chaffin: Thank you for your suggestions regarding my patient, Mr. Truman. I must say, however, that operatively and post-operatively, Mr. Truman did exceedingly well. However, it was felt that, as a matter of protection, he should have some Terramycin administered. This was done, and his immediate course was down-hill. The extreme bowel irritation, and the terrific hypersen- sitivity to the drug proved, for a while, to be almost uncontrollable. I have had no use for the tube - there was never any indication to use the tube - a small Penrose drain was placed in the gall bladder bed. This healed in a minimal time; his sutures have all been removed; he has never shown any evidence of periotinitis; his en- tire difficulty stems from extreme entiritis. This fact has been proven and it is very difficult to over- come the numerous bile-stained, watery, stools. We are keeping up his electrolytic balance and fluid levels, and thus far have been more successful by the day. Thank you for your continued interest, but my attitude is that if surgery is carefully done, and there is no septic condition, I can see no indication to use your suction tube drainage. I have seen many instances in years gone by, in which your tube has been a life-saver but in this particular case, it would have been of no use. Again, thanking you for your kindness, I am Yours sincerely, TRUMAN los NARA Wallace H. Graham, M.D. WHG:meg