I am Perhaps Dying: The Medical Backstory of Spinal Tuberculosis Hidden in the Civil War Diary of Leroy Wiley Gresham

LeRoy Wiley Gresham, a 12-year-old Southern teenager, kept a seven-volume diary from 1860 to 1865, covering the years of secession and the Civil War. Recently published as The War Outside My Window, his account provides a unique insight into life in the Old South, including military, political, religious, social, and literary matters. Dr. Rasbach, a Johns Hopkins medical school graduate, was tasked with solving the mystery of LeRoy's disease, which turned out to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The diary offers an inside look at a fateful journey that robbed a young man of his youth and life, and adds considerably to the medical literature by increasing our understanding of how tuberculosis attacked a young body over time and the effectiveness of treatments in the middle nineteenth century.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 144 pages
\n Publication date: 15 September 2018
\n Publisher: Savas Beatie
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LeRoy Wiley Gresham, a young and talented individual from the Southern region, left behind a remarkable seven-volume diary that chronicles the years of secession and the Civil War (1860-1865). Despite his tender age of 12 when he began writing, Gresham's diary reflects his extensive knowledge and interest in a wide range of subjects, including military, political, religious, social, and literary matters of the time. His remarkable account, recently published as "The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1860-1865," edited by Janet E. Croon (2018), offers a profound insight into the life experiences of a precocious and well-educated Southern teenager.

However, Gresham's diary is not just a historical record; it is a poignant portrayal of a young writer grappling with chronic disease and suffering. Throughout his diary, Gresham is never explicitly told that he is dying until just before his passing. This adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to his story, as Dr. Rasbach, a graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School and a practicing general surgeon with over three decades of experience, is tasked with unraveling the mystery of Gresham's illness.

Dr. Rasbach approaches his task with the precision of a detective, carefully examining the medical-related entries in Gresham's diary. He seeks to understand the symptoms that plagued Gresham, the medications prescribed for him, and the course of his disease over time. Through his meticulous analysis, Dr. Rasbach reveals that the agent responsible for Gresham's suffering and demise turns out to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a tiny but lethal adversary of humanity since the beginning of recorded time.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, tuberculosis was the deadliest disease in the world, accounting for one-third of all deaths. Even today, a quarter of the world's population is infected with TB, and the disease remains one of the top ten causes of death, claiming 1.7 million lives annually. Gresham's diary serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of this disease and the challenges faced by individuals living in the era before modern medicine.

Despite the hardships he endured, Gresham's diary reflects his unwavering spirit and determination. He writes with a sense of humor and a keen appreciation for the beauty of nature, even in the midst of his illness. His words offer a glimpse into the human experience, capturing the joys, sorrows, and complexities of life during a tumultuous period in history.

"The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1860-1865" is a significant contribution to our understanding of life and times in the Old South. It provides a unique perspective on the experiences of a young writer who faced adversity with grace and resilience. Through Dr. Rasbach's meticulous examination of Gresham's diary, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of chronic disease, the impact of historical events on individuals, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

\n Weight: 242g\n
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781611214505\n \n