ENPages
(seq. 6)
EM[K?] Did Dr Pavenstadt come
MAX R. REISER COUNSELLOR AT LAW TEN TREMONT STREET BOSTON LAFAYETTE 6330 RES. MALDEN 1013 January 20, 1943
EM[K?] [?] Please Barbara - a job [?] here for present wo. like to [discuss?] care with [her?] sometime.
She is still under the Dr's care
REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN JAN 21 1943 FRAMINGHAM
Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor:
I saw Barbara a few days ago. She seems very anxious to be less dependent on others, and wants to be able to help herself. As she put it in her own language I quote "I seem to be living in a Shangra-La, but I would like to make sure that I don't lose the ability to earn my own living." She also said that money is not the consideration, but if she could earn something so that she could buy her own things, she might gradually acquire enough confidence, enabling her to earn a living, and look forward to a new future.
I remember my talk with Dr. Rak, who told me that Barbara, at the time, was a sick girl, and would need a great deal of care and guidance. It is my impression that she cannot stand the ordinary competition under the pressure of modern life, and would have to be somewhat sheltered. Barbara tells me she had a re-occurance of a dizzy spell that she one time had. I wonder whether or not she ought to be examined again.
I would like to ask you a question, whether or not there would be an opportunity to have Barbara work at the institution for a nominal amount. If this cannot be, could Barbara live at the institution and try to work outside. Let us say, if she could procure a job to work four or five hours a day, doing shorthand, typewriting or other office duties, and then come back and be helpful to you in your associate offices, or would you be willing to let Barbara try living out for a while and working.
(seq. 7)
[20 January 1943]
--2--
I know that my son has been very sick, and still is in the throes of a very serious illness. At present, he is under the care of Dr. Myerson, and with a great deal of effort on his own initiative, he procured a job in a department store. It has now been eight weeks since he has been holding the job, and is doing very well, and is gaining a little more confidence. I know I may be talking out of turn, and wandering the field, however, it is only because I am interested in Barbara's future welfare as a human being, and know that you are likewise. If I have overstepped my bounds, you will understand. I will understand a lot more when I know about your opinion in the matter.
Thanking you again for your patience and understanding and awaiting your reply, I am
Sincerely,
Max R. Reiser
MRR:G
(seq. 8)
NEEDED REQUIREMENTS FOR WAACS, WAVES, SPARS
WAACS AGE — 21 to 44, inclusive. WEIGHT — Minimum 100, maximum 171. HEIGHT — Minimum 5 ft., maximum 6 ft. EDUCATION — No definite specification, but must pass mental alertness test. CITIZENSHIP — Native-born or naturalized citizen. DEPENDENTS — No dependents that cannot be supported other than on pay derived from WAACS. RANK — Auxiliary, Equal to private in Army. SALARY — Base pay $50 per month. As rating changes pay changes. LENGTH OF SERVICE — For duration and maximum of six months thereafter. PLACE OF SERVICE — At home or abroad. UNIFORMS — Completely outfitted by Army. ADVANCEMENT — After four weeks' training, auxiliary may apply for officer candidate school.
WAVES-SPARS Age — 20 to 35, inclusive. WEIGHT — At least 95 pounds and generally in proportion to height and age. HEIGHT — Minimum 5 ft. EDUCATION — At least two years of high school or business school. CITIZENSHIP — Same as WAACS. DEPENDENTS — No children under 18, even if divorced. RANK — Apprentice seaman. SALARY — $50 a month. After training will be advanced to rating equal to ability and paid accordingly. LENGTH OF SERVICE — Same as WAACS. PLACE OF SERVICE — Anywhere within continental U.S. UNFORMS — Navy gives you $200 unform allowances. ADVANCEMENT — Can rise to chief petty officer and, if educationally and otherwise qualified, may apply for officer training.
Phone Nos.
Special telephone lines have been set up to handle calls at the Women's Recruiting office, 5 Winthrop sq., Boston. They are:
LIBerty 4168 — for WAAC information
LIBerty 4299 — For WAVES and SPARS information.
Please do not call the regular Record-American-Sunday Advertiser phone number for information concerning enlistment in the WAACS, WAVES or SPARS
small part time at home, I feel that it is not enough."
***
And from another would-be SPAR comes this letter:
"I wish I were a SPAR, because deep in my heart I want to do my duty. To be able to serve my country would please me very much. To me, it will be a fulfillment of a long-cherished with and knowing, to, that I will be helping to win the war."
Office Hours
The Women's Recruiting Office at the Record-AmericanSunday Advertiser building, 5 Winthrop sq., Boston, will be open from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. daily except Sunday.
(seq. 9)
February 17, 1943
Max R. Reiser, Counsellor at Law, 10 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.
Dear Mr. Reiser:
Thank you for your letter of January 20th regarding Barbara Brown. Your interest is appreciated.
Barbara is still under the care of the doctor. She seems somewhat better, at least in spirits, than she did a few months ago. We are planning to send her to the Mass. General for a check-up next week.
Beginning next week, we are giving her employment for which she will receive a small amount monthly. The schedule of working hours will be made as light as possible.
I personally am grateful for your interest, and I am sure Barbara is, too. I am so glad that your son is gradually finding himself again.
Yours sincerely,
Superintendent.
MVW/K
(seq. 10)
MADELAINE R. BROWN, M.D. 264 BEACON STREET BOSTON, MASS.
February 23, 1943
Dr. Eleanor Pavenstedt Reformatory for Women Framingham, Massachusetts
[SMK?] File (in our office)
Dear Dr. Pavenstedt,
Miss Barbara Brown came in to the Nerve Clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital this morning.
On neurological examination she had a -20 diopters myopia in both eyes, but the disc edge was normal. There was no nystagmus, convergence was good. The extraocular muscles were normal. Hearing was good. The bone conduction was about the same as air conduction. There was no wax against the drums today, though she says she has to have it removed every two weeks. There was no numbness of the face. The tongue and palate moved in the midline. There was no weakness or incoordination of the extremities. There was a fine tremor of the extended hands, more on the right, no rigidity. There was no sensory loss. Vibration sense was normal in the arms and legs. In the Romberg she swayed a bit to the left with her eyes closed and was perfectly steady thereafter. The deep tendon reflexes were normal. When walking she tended to go a little bit to the left but turned quickly and her balance was good.
The urine specimen showe a one plus albumin and 3-5 white cells.
Diagnosis: I see no evidence of multiple sclerosis, and the tremor is probably familial. The swaying I believe to be functional in origin. These dizzy attacks which she mentions came on only when she was in jail as a witness in the perjury case and at other times when she was under a s train. The attacks of peri-oral numbness, one attack when she lost sensation all over the body for two days and the occasion when she could not raise her head for two weeks after the lumbar puncture appear to be hysterical in origin. Miss Brown tells me that she is applying for the WAACs, and since I have been doing their neuro-psychiatric examinations with Dr. Florence Clothier, I suppose I would see her. In the first place