Silkworth Presentation presented by Drew H – 2025-04-08

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Unknown Tuesday Night History Workshop • 2025

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Unknown ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

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Unknown Drew H speaking on "Silkworth Presentation" in Tuesday Night History Workshop (April 08, 2025). This recording is preserved in high-fidelity with interactive scrolling transcripts.

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Unknown Interactive Transcript

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[00 00:04.379 – 00:00:08.380] Welcome to the Tuesday Night Recovery Speakers History Workshop.

0:15

[00 00:08.380 – 00:00:10.759] Thank you all for joining us tonight.

0:17

[00 00:10.759 – 00:00:16.070] My name is Tim, and tonight we have a great workshop on Dr.

0:22

[00 00:16.070 – 00:00:22.059] Silkworth, the great friend of AA, and that will be presented by Drew H.

0:27

[00 00:22.059 – 00:00:32.070] We meet every Tuesday night at the same time and at the same Zoom ID number, and next week we will have a special presentation led by Mike

0:36

[00 00:32.070 – 00:00:32.439] F.

0:37

[00 00:32.439 – 00:00:35.119] Um, so please join us again next week.

0:40

[00 00:35.119 – 00:00:44.939] This meeting is being recorded, and the audio from tonight's presentation as well as all of our past presentations can be found at recoveryspeakers.com.

0:49

[00 00:44.939 – 00:00:55.259] This meeting is not affiliated with any 12-step organization, although our goal is to focus on the history of AA and other 12-step

0:56

[00 00:55.259 – 00:00:55.899] fellowships.

0:57

[00 00:55.899 – 00:01:06.280] Recoveryspeakers.com is dedicated to preserving and making the audio history of AA and the 12-step movement available

1:03

[00 01:06.280 – 00:01:09.040] for everyone today and in the future.

1:06

[00 01:09.040 – 00:01:15.760] We share a daily email that features a different speaker talk from the Recovery Speakers audio library.

1:12

[00 01:15.760 – 00:01:25.840] Included in the daily emails are, are links to the recordings from this meeting, as well as information

1:18

[00 01:25.840 – 00:01:28.780] about our upcoming history presentations.

1:20

[00 01:28.780 – 00:01:35.799] If you would like to receive our daily email, you can subscribe through the link that I shared in the chat a moment ago.

1:28

[00 01:35.799 – 00:01:45.719] I will send it again for anyone just joining us now, or you can send me an email at info@recoveryspeakers.com and I will get you added to our list.

1:39

[00 01:45.719 – 00:01:51.299] And Recovery Speakers is an official 501[c][3] public charity.

1:42

[00 01:51.299 – 00:02:01.040] If you are able to, we accept contributions which allow us to continue our work, and I have shared in the chat the different ways to make contributions.

1:52

[00 02:01.040 – 00:02:10.500] And tonight, uh, depending on the time and length of, uh, the presentation, we m- might be able to do some questions at the end.

2:00

[00 02:10.500 – 00:02:20.859] So if you have any questions for Drew, please write them down and be prepared to email them to him if we run out of time, or you can, uh,

2:10

[00 02:20.860 – 00:02:22.900] go ahead and ask him the questions at the end of the meeting.

2:15

[00 02:22.900 – 00:02:25.240] And that is it for me.

2:17

[00 02:25.240 – 00:02:32.719] I am going to go ahead and turn it over to Drew for the presentation.

2:23

[00 02:32.719 – 00:02:35.099] Gotta find you.

2:24

[00 02:35.099 – 00:02:38.659] Yep.

2:25

[00 02:38.659 – 00:02:39.939] There we go.

2:26

[00 02:39.939 – 00:02:41.400] All right.

2:27

[00 02:41.400 – 00:02:42.199] Thank you.

2:28

[00 02:42.199 – 00:02:43.240] Thanks, Tim.

2:29

[00 02:43.240 – 00:02:48.280] And, and again, thank you, thank you, Mike, uh, for, for all the, the amazing...

2:34

[00 02:48.280 – 00:02:50.199] Let me do a screen share.

2:36

[00 02:50.199 – 00:03:00.240] And, uh, you know, again, you know, one of the, one of the things that, uh, you know, is, is, uh, an am- an amazing, uh,

2:45

[00 03:00.240 – 00:03:04.259] aspect of our, our program is the, the help from non-alcoholics.

2:49

[00 03:04.259 – 00:03:13.139] And, you know, pretty much one of the, the, the, the top of, I would say, you know, the zenith of, of, you know, help from a non-alcoholic.

2:59

[00 03:13.139 – 00:03:15.400] We're gonna look at, uh, William Duncan Silkworth.

3:02

[00 03:15.400 – 00:03:18.280] And before we begin, I, I, I, I took a little...

3:06

[00 03:18.280 – 00:03:19.659] You know, there was some text on there.

3:09

[00 03:19.659 – 00:03:20.240] I took it out.

3:10

[00 03:20.240 – 00:03:28.659] I just wanted to thank, uh, uh, uh, Mike and, and Recovery Collectibles for, uh, sharing with me some of the stuff that you're, you're gonna see tonight.

3:20

[00 03:28.659 – 00:03:35.109] We, we did this in, in, uh, Myrtle, and, uh, you know, we, we kinda kept it on, on, on the down low.

3:28

[00 03:35.109 – 00:03:45.120] But, uh, you know, some of the things that, uh, uh, are in, uh, this, uh, uh, collection with, uh, the Silkworth collection and, and sharing it, and sharing it with me so I can, I

3:40

[00 03:45.120 – 00:03:52.449] could share it with you is, is, uh, just an, uh, it's beyond, uh, uh, it, it's, it's, it's some of the coolest stuff.

3:48

[00 03:52.449 – 00:03:53.639] I always go back to it.

3:50

[00 03:53.639 – 00:03:57.360] But again, with that being said, uh, thank you so much.

3:54

[00 03:57.360 – 00:03:59.939] And, and again, uh, credit where credit's due.

3:57

[00 03:59.939 – 00:04:04.219] Uh, so tonight, uh, we are definitely gonna be looking at, uh, Dr.

4:02

[00 04:04.219 – 00:04:11.560] William Duncan Silkworth, and a good portion also is going to be, um, um, some of the work at, uh, uh, Charles B.

4:10

[00 04:11.560 – 00:04:13.020] Towns Hospital.

4:11

[00 04:13.020 – 00:04:16.699] And, uh, again, those are just, uh, some of the photographs from, uh, uh, Charles B.

4:16

[00 04:16.699 – 00:04:19.800] Towns and, and, uh, Hospital, as well as, uh, Dr.

4:20

[00 04:19.800 – 00:04:21.319] William Duncan Silkworth.

4:21

[00 04:21.319 – 00:04:30.920] Now, early on, right, this is just a picture from a, a promotional pamphlet, uh, re- uh, that describes, uh, the work at Charles B.

4:30

[00 04:30.920 – 00:04:31.819] Towns Hospital.

4:31

[00 04:31.819 – 00:04:37.600] It shows the building, uh, with the later, uh, uh, added rooftop and, uh, sunrooms.

4:36

[00 04:37.600 – 00:04:47.720] Now, while standing at the windows overlooking Central Park, you actually, uh, see, um, the, uh, the, the big lake and, and of course, that road is not Fifth

4:46

[00 04:47.720 – 00:04:49.160] Avenue or, or any...

4:48

[00 04:49.160 – 00:04:50.740] That is actually Lake Drive.

4:50

[00 04:50.740 – 00:04:54.279] That is the road that circles the lake in Central Park.

4:54

[00 04:54.279 – 00:04:57.680] And, uh, that'll actually, uh, make sense, uh, later on.

4:57

[00 04:57.680 – 00:05:00.639] But again, just, you know, talking a little bit about Charles B.

5:01

[00 05:00.639 – 00:05:01.480] Towns Hospital.

5:02

[00 05:01.480 – 00:05:06.120] Um, this is one of the earliest photographs I can find of, uh, Charles B.

5:08

[00 05:06.120 – 00:05:11.680] Towns, and if you notice there, uh, it's, it's horse and buggy days, so, uh, uh, definitely.

5:14

[00 05:11.680 – 00:05:16.800] And even back then, uh, it was the smallest building on the entire block.

5:19

[00 05:16.800 – 00:05:18.439] In fact, that's it right there.

5:21

[00 05:18.439 – 00:05:27.500] And the ultimate question is how it survived to this day in New York City on, like, Millionaire's Row there is, is just...

5:29

[00 05:27.500 – 00:05:30.560] I, I, I didn't, I don't have anything for you.

5:32

[00 05:30.560 – 00:05:33.240] You know, I, I, uh, have no idea.

5:35

[00 05:33.240 – 00:05:36.240] But it did, and of course, this is kinda what it looks like today.

5:40

[00 05:36.240 – 00:05:41.220] We had a home group member that went up there and, uh, took a, took a, a couple of photographs.

5:47

[00 05:41.220 – 00:05:51.230] Uh, some of the, um, uh, tenants, it's, uh, it's actually, uh, apartments now, but some of the tenants, you know, came out and were, you know, giving him this, uh, facial expression like,

5:59

[00 05:51.230 – 00:05:57.560] "Oh, another one of these guys," uh, you know, posing for, uh, uh, the, the, uh, the, the building there.

6:06

[00 05:57.560 – 00:06:02.319] And of course, you know, what's interesting is, uh, you know, on that, uh...

6:11

[00 06:02.319 – 00:06:04.019] Originally, there were two entrances.

6:12

[00 06:04.019 – 00:06:06.740] It looks like they blocked the, the, uh, left one up.

6:16

[00 06:06.740 – 00:06:16.800] Uh, but there's another entrance that is down below, where you can see in between those two cars, and those people are walking up from, which is, um, you know, the basement technically is

6:28

[00 06:16.800 – 00:06:22.019] kind of the, the, you know, the, the washer-dryer area and, and, uh, stuff like that.

6:34

[00 06:22.019 – 00:06:32.100] But, you know, when I look at this photograph, I, I, I can't help but think on that right-hand door, uh, you know, Bill kinda taking his last drink of beer as described, you know,

6:45

[00 06:32.100 – 00:06:41.040] on the front stoop just before entering Towns Hospital for the last time on December 11th of 1934, Bill's sobriety date.

6:52

[00 06:41.040 – 00:06:45.680] And, uh, you know, so much, so much, uh, uh, has, uh, really happened there.

6:58

[00 06:45.680 – 00:06:46.819] Now, even though Charles B.

7:00

[00 06:46.819 – 00:06:50.459] Towns Hospital plays a significant role in the story of Dr.

7:03

[00 06:50.459 – 00:06:52.910] Silkworth, we're gonna revisit this, uh-

7:06

[00 06:53.024 – 00:06:53.604] Down the road.

7:07

[00 06:53.604 – 00:07:03.304] This Silkworth family story begins with, in one of the northern-most coastal beach towns of northern New Jersey.

7:13

[00 07:03.304 – 00:07:05.204] So who would we start with?

7:16

[00 07:05.204 – 00:07:06.104] Well, let's start with Dr.

7:18

[00 07:06.104 – 00:07:07.264] Silkworth's father.

7:19

[00 07:07.264 – 00:07:09.764] His name was William W.

7:21

[00 07:09.764 – 00:07:15.344] Silkworth, and that's his, uh, uh, just an incredible, uh, uh, photograph of his father.

7:26

[00 07:15.344 – 00:07:22.204] I believe that that is the original with, uh, uh, uh, how it looked, uh, as it was, uh, uh, taken.

7:33

[00 07:22.204 – 00:07:25.404] And of course, that is his Civil War dress uniform.

7:37

[00 07:25.404 – 00:07:29.984] Now, the picture on the, uh, uh, left is an interesting picture, and it's got...

7:42

[00 07:29.984 – 00:07:33.404] You know, it'll make sense as, as, uh, uh...

7:45

[00 07:33.404 – 00:07:36.524] You know, uh, a- again, this is something that I came across.

7:50

[00 07:36.524 – 00:07:38.324] It says, "Interesting article," right?

7:51

[00 07:38.324 – 00:07:42.944] "Union soldier recognizes a picture of his r- regiment.

7:55

[00 07:42.944 – 00:07:44.444] W.W.

7:56

[00 07:44.444 – 00:07:54.524] Silkworth was one who survived out of thousands at Petersburg." So what are the odds of that, of, of a Civil War veteran f- actually finding

8:05

[00 07:54.524 – 00:07:57.624] a, a photograph, uh, uh, of his, uh, regiment?

8:08

[00 07:57.624 – 00:08:07.684] In fact, he's quoted as saying, "In looking at the pictures over, you cannot appreciate or understand fully my amazement and joy in discovering that

8:16

[00 08:07.684 – 00:08:15.404] w- that one was my old Company B 170th Regiment, New York Volunteers, Corcoran's Irish Le- Legion.

8:22

[00 08:15.404 – 00:08:24.744] Why, I could scarcely believe my own eyes, so wonderful it was, that after 47 years this picture should come to me.

8:30

[00 08:24.744 – 00:08:34.364] But there they were, some of them looking right at me, who had been dead for 46 years, and there was no getting away from the picture." W.W.

8:39

[00 08:34.364 – 00:08:35.014] Silkworth.

8:40

[00 08:35.014 – 00:08:39.484] Now, with that photograph, I jumped into, uh, Library of Congress and tracked it down.

8:45

[00 08:39.484 – 00:08:43.704] They actually had a colorized version of that, so we're switching, uh, to that one.

8:50

[00 08:43.704 – 00:08:49.464] And he continued by saying, "Today, I am a boy again, living once more with the boys in the old army life.

8:58

[00 08:49.464 – 00:08:59.684] There were about 25 of us school friends who enlisted together at Green Point in Brooklyn." Says, "Right there in the front of the picture sits

9:06

[00 08:59.684 – 00:09:01.863] my brother George," that's Dr.

9:08

[00 09:01.863 – 00:09:03.983] Silkworth's uncle, "playing cards.

9:10

[00 09:03.983 – 00:09:05.624] You will note that he is left-handed.

9:13

[00 09:05.624 – 00:09:08.864] We laid him away in front of Petersburg.

9:16

[00 09:08.864 – 00:09:13.144] With him is John Vanderwater, George Thomas, Washington Keating.

9:19

[00 09:13.144 – 00:09:17.644] There is Charlie Thomas, and all the rest as large as life.

9:23

[00 09:17.644 – 00:09:21.904] With the exception of two, I have not seen any of the boys for 30 years.

9:29

[00 09:21.904 – 00:09:31.924] Not long after the photograph was taken, George actually became one of the thousands of young men to lose his life at Petersburg." And, and,

9:37

[00 09:31.924 – 00:09:35.744] and it's a, it's such an, such an amazing story, but a- again, it continues.

9:42

[00 09:35.744 – 00:09:42.024] He says, "Some younger eyes than mine say that they can see a figure in the background with a flag.

9:49

[00 09:42.024 – 00:09:52.264] If so, it must be me, for I was color sergeant." And of course, you know, when you look in the back, there's a gentleman standing, and right underneath his, uh, left arm, uh, appears

10:01

[00 09:52.264 – 00:09:53.044] to be a flag.

10:03

[00 09:53.044 – 00:09:59.424] And if you know a thing or two o- of, uh, Civil War history, usually the flag bearer is right next to the drummer boy.

10:11

[00 09:59.424 – 00:10:02.304] And of course, there's the drummer boy sitting on the, the, the drum.

10:16

[00 10:02.304 – 00:10:11.104] So I, I just thought that was a, a, a pretty interesting thing and, you know, definitely a, a rabbit hole and, and, uh, you know, we nerd out over here.

10:26

[00 10:11.104 – 00:10:12.824] Of course, you know.

10:28

[00 10:12.824 – 00:10:22.864] So long story short, uh, when the war was over, William Silkworth, uh, uh, the father, will eventually settle in northern coastal town of Long Branch, New

10:37

[00 10:22.864 – 00:10:23.273] Jersey.

10:38

[00 10:23.273 – 00:10:30.444] And for that, we'll just look at a, uh, kind of a, a, a, a, a, an aerial view map of Long Branch at the time.

10:47

[00 10:30.444 – 00:10:35.864] And I like this one particularly because it actually shows exactly who owns all the property.

10:52

[00 10:35.864 – 00:10:38.724] Now, we know he lives on Chelsea Avenue.

10:55

[00 10:38.724 – 00:10:45.824] In fact, for intents and purposes, we're gonna look right there on, on that, uh, um, uh, little red box.

11:02

[00 10:45.824 – 00:10:49.064] But if you also notice, um, uh, they are in...

11:06

[00 10:49.064 – 00:10:52.104] That little red box is in between Third Avenue and Second Avenue.

11:10

[00 10:52.104 – 00:10:56.144] And on the far right is, of course, uh, the Atlantic Ocean.

11:14

[00 10:56.144 – 00:11:04.404] So Silkworth was literally, like, a block, block and a half from, uh, the Atlantic Ocean, so he was definitely a shore, um, you know, uh, a shore front.

11:24

[00 11:04.404 – 00:11:13.004] In fact, Ocean Avenue is kinda technically First Street, and if you take a right, you're actually in the water of, uh, um, uh...

11:33

[00 11:13.004 – 00:11:14.843] So, uh, pretty interesting.

11:34

[00 11:14.843 – 00:11:25.144] And, and again, when we blow that little blo- uh, uh, box up and look, you can actually see Chelsea Avenue, you can see Second Avenue, and of course, Third Avenue, and there they are right there, W.W.

11:47

[00 11:25.144 – 00:11:25.734] Silkworth.

11:48

[00 11:25.734 – 00:11:29.564] So that's pretty much, uh, uh, uh, Silkworth's, you know, growing up point.

11:53

[00 11:29.564 – 00:11:33.864] He lived in Brooklyn for a little while, but again, they, they ended up, uh, moving here.

11:59

[00 11:33.864 – 00:11:40.224] Uh, the father was actually in the gas industry and, uh, uh, you know, again, you know, came to this town and...

12:06

[00 11:40.224 – 00:11:48.004] And again, this is just an interesting, um, uh, photograph from, from Third Avenue actually looking, uh, uh, east.

12:13

[00 11:48.004 – 00:11:53.724] So if you keep going down that road, you run right into, uh, uh, the, uh, uh, Atlantic Ocean.

12:19

[00 11:53.724 – 00:12:03.724] But this is Third Avenue looking down Chelsea, and if you go about where that, uh, uh, blue arrow is, right at the end of the telephone pole line where the trees

12:30

[00 12:03.724 – 00:12:06.564] start, you're actually at the Silkworth home.

12:33

[00 12:06.564 – 00:12:16.644] In fact, this is a great photograph of his childhood home and, uh, uh, you know, again, it's a, it's a nice, nice, uh, uh, uh, house and, and, uh, he

12:43

[00 12:16.644 – 00:12:24.484] spent most of his time, uh, here, again, with his, uh, uh, brothers and his sisters, uh, went to school, the whole nine yards.

12:51

[00 12:24.484 – 00:12:28.834] Um, all of this was a real, you know, uh, uh, small, small town.

12:56

[00 12:28.834 – 00:12:33.424] But, you know, it's, it's, it, uh, i- it's a nice house, uh, I gotta say.

13:02

[00 12:33.424 – 00:12:37.374] You know, even for back then, it's a, it's an incredibly, um, uh, uh, nice house.

13:08

[00 12:37.374 – 00:12:42.524] So again, it looks as though, you know, Father was, uh, uh, pretty, pretty successful, uh, doing what he did.

13:14

[00 12:42.524 – 00:12:52.664] Again, now William Duncan Silkworth, uh, he was actually born July 22nd of 1873 in Brooklyn, New York, and they actually

13:21

[00 12:52.664 – 00:12:55.304] moved to Long Branch, New Jersey.

13:24

[00 12:55.304 – 00:12:57.804] There's a great quote from, uh, Dale Mitchell.

13:27

[00 12:57.804 – 00:13:04.424] Uh, he was given the name of his father, William, and the middle name of his mother's maiden name, which was Duncan.

13:34

[00 13:04.424 – 00:13:06.904] So there you have it, William Duncan Silkworth.

13:37

[00 13:06.904 – 00:13:15.324] Soon after he, uh, followed by a younger sister, May Bell, and of course, a, the youngest brother by the name of Russell.

13:45

[00 13:15.324 – 00:13:23.284] And of course, there's a great little photograph of, of young Silkworth with his, uh, uh, baby sister, uh, just an, uh, an amazing thing.

13:54

[00 13:23.284 – 00:13:26.464] And of course, here's another, uh, uh, photograph.

13:57

[00 13:26.464 – 00:13:29.704] Uh, again, these are, you know, the, the, the, the originals.

14:01

[00 13:29.704 – 00:13:34.304] Um, age 12 around the time, uh, this, uh, picture was taken.

14:04

[00 13:34.304 – 00:13:39.084] And unknown exactly what the context is, but, uh, again, just kinda posing.

14:09

[00 13:39.084 – 00:13:41.844] Very serious even at that age.

14:11

[00 13:41.844 – 00:13:43.664] Uh, very serious and very determined.

14:14

[00 13:43.664 – 00:13:45.574] In fact, he is an incredibly smart kid.

14:17

[00 13:45.962 – 00:13:46.662] We'll get to that.

14:18

[00 13:46.662 – 00:13:56.762] Uh, but again, approximately five years old, uh, there was a picture book that was, uh, part of, uh, the, the, the collection, and this one is actually dated, uh,

14:29

[00 13:56.762 – 00:14:00.682] April, uh, of 1878, and Willie D.

14:31

[00 14:00.682 – 00:14:01.202] Wilson.

14:31

[00 14:01.202 – 00:14:02.522] I love that name, Willie.

14:33

[00 14:02.522 – 00:14:03.462] They called him Willie.

14:35

[00 14:03.462 – 00:14:10.302] And of course, we, we actually, you know, the book was, uh, titled, uh, Gleanings, and it's pretty much a, a, a picture book.

14:43

[00 14:10.302 – 00:14:18.962] And of course, you know, as, uh, you know, children, you know, they would probably, you know, go through and, you know, point at the pictures, kind of, you know, say what you see.

14:55

[00 14:18.962 – 00:14:25.782] But what I thought was, uh, pretty amazing is, uh, uh, almost all of these are, uh, hand, um, painted.

15:02

[00 14:25.782 – 00:14:32.982] Um, and of course, you know, these are, these are m- pretty, pretty, uh, uh, el- elaborate, uh, uh, pictures.

15:09

[00 14:32.982 – 00:14:43.202] Again, you can see, uh, you know, as, as they were children, this was just one of the, the, the pages, including, you know, at the bottom, you know, point to, uh, the cat and, and the ball,

15:21

[00 14:43.202 – 00:14:46.762] uh, the mom with the, the babies, the toy soldier, the dog.

15:26

[00 14:46.762 – 00:14:56.782] And again, you know, in, in Bill's, uh, story in, in, uh, Passing On, he talks about as a young lad, his mother used to teach him with blocks, like letters, and of

15:37

[00 14:56.782 – 00:15:00.202] course, him having, uh, the problem with the letter Q.

15:41

[00 15:00.202 – 00:15:08.302] But, um, you know, Silkworth, again, this was, uh, much earlier, and these, the, you know, they don't, they don't make them like this, uh, uh, anymore.

15:50

[00 15:08.302 – 00:15:11.762] So, uh, again, you know, point at the picture, identify what you see.

15:54

[00 15:11.762 – 00:15:18.242] Um, as, uh, Silkworth prolonged, this was one of, uh, uh, his, uh, eight-year-old letters.

16:00

[00 15:18.242 – 00:15:28.462] Now, be- before we really read this, I, I, I, I gotta point out that he has, without a doubt, the nicest handwritings out of anybody that

16:09

[00 15:28.462 – 00:15:32.722] ever came within 10 miles of Alcoholics Anonymous.

16:11

[00 15:32.722 – 00:15:40.662] Uh, even back in 1881, uh, his, uh, uh, thought process and especially his handwriting is just, is, is mint quality.

16:18

[00 15:40.662 – 00:15:43.482] And of course, this was to his Aunt Minnie.

16:22

[00 15:43.482 – 00:15:46.002] In fact, Long Branch, 1881.

16:23

[00 15:46.002 – 00:15:52.062] "Dear Minnie," he writes, "You said you would write to me if I wrote to you, so I am doing so.

16:31

[00 15:52.062 – 00:15:52.982] I am writing.

16:32

[00 15:52.982 – 00:15:54.342] I am going to write.

16:34

[00 15:54.342 – 00:15:57.842] Are you coming down here Easter Sunday?

16:36

[00 15:57.842 – 00:16:01.632] Aunt Elle has been down to our house, and she went home today.

16:41

[00 16:01.632 – 00:16:07.062] We are going to have Mother Goose Goose entertainment." I imagine that's Duck Duck Goose.

16:46

[00 16:07.062 – 00:16:14.642] "And I am going to be old bachelor, and I am going to have Sarah Morford for my wife.

16:53

[00 16:14.642 – 00:16:24.862] Goodbye, Minnie, uh, from Willie." So again, that's just an, uh, uh, you know, it's, it's for an eight-year-old, that's, that's, uh, pretty, pretty, uh,

17:01

[00 16:24.862 – 00:16:30.342] uh, you know, well thought out and, and, uh, again, the, the handwriting is, uh, uh...

17:07

[00 16:30.342 – 00:16:34.882] He's even, he's even gonna get married, so he's, you know, thinking ahead, uh, always, uh, planning.

17:13

[00 16:34.882 – 00:16:37.142] Anyway, uh, here's another one.

17:15

[00 16:37.142 – 00:16:39.942] This one, uh, was, uh, about the age of nine.

17:19

[00 16:39.942 – 00:16:45.402] This was, uh, something that he handed in at school, and it was titled Chestnuts, and it's, it's cute.

17:25

[00 16:45.402 – 00:16:48.122] It's, "Now is the time to gather chestnuts.

17:28

[00 16:48.122 – 00:16:51.462] I like to gather them when the frost comes and opens the burs.

17:33

[00 16:51.462 – 00:16:53.982] Chestnuts are very good when they are roasted.

17:36

[00 16:53.982 – 00:16:58.772] They grow in very sharp burs, which prick our fingers very much.

17:40

[00 16:58.772 – 00:17:07.342] I have been in the country when chestnuts are very ripe, and they are very good, and squirrels and turkeys think so too." I love that.

17:49

[00 17:07.342 – 00:17:13.652] "So you have to get up very early to get them." And of course, Willie Silkworth.

17:54

[00 17:13.652 – 00:17:16.282] So in his younger age, you know, they called him Willie.

17:58

[00 17:16.282 – 00:17:24.042] And there's another little note with, uh, some initials, SEL, 29- uh, 1882, and of course, it looks like he got a 100.

18:06

[00 17:24.042 – 00:17:31.602] So smart kid, uh, and, uh, uh, very, you know, he excelled, uh, uh, pretty much with, uh, just about everything he did.

18:13

[00 17:31.602 – 00:17:38.962] In fact, in 1896, this was a family, uh, uh, uh, picture, and of course, you can see, um, uh, father sitting.

18:21

[00 17:38.962 – 00:17:41.022] Uh, there's William, uh, W.

18:23

[00 17:41.022 – 00:17:43.982] Silkworth on the, uh, the, the far, uh, left.

18:26

[00 17:43.982 – 00:17:51.522] Uh, his youngest, uh, the, the youngest of all the, the, uh, Russell is, is, uh, standing, uh, uh, kind of in between.

18:34

[00 17:51.522 – 00:18:01.542] Uh, Silkworth actually is in the middle, and of course, his mother, Isabella Duncan, uh, sitting, and, uh, his, uh, baby sister, uh, Maybell,

18:42

[00 18:01.542 – 00:18:04.122] uh, kind of in the lower right-hand corner.

18:45

[00 18:04.122 – 00:18:08.602] Now, again, you know, Will was very smart young man.

18:49

[00 18:08.602 – 00:18:12.722] In fact, you know, another thing that he also had was a talent for singing.

18:54

[00 18:12.722 – 00:18:17.222] Something about Alcoholics Anonymous and, you know, the music quality.

18:58

[00 18:17.222 – 00:18:19.822] Uh, Bill had the violin and the cello.

19:01

[00 18:19.822 – 00:18:22.802] Uh, Frank Amos, you know, he had the violin.

19:04

[00 18:22.802 – 00:18:31.142] Um, uh, it's, it's just an interesting, uh, a, a lot of people have some of this, uh, in their, uh, background, and of course, Silkworth was one of them.

19:14

[00 18:31.142 – 00:18:36.102] In fact, he finished Chate- Chatel, uh, High School in three years.

19:18

[00 18:36.102 – 00:18:40.402] And in 1892, he actually went to Princeton University.

19:21

[00 18:40.402 – 00:18:43.722] And of course, you know, there was an interesting story on that.

19:26

[00 18:43.722 – 00:18:51.682] Uh, but again, here he is, a freshman, uh, uh, of, uh, of the, uh, uh, Glee Club, uh, there at, uh, Princeton.

19:33

[00 18:51.682 – 00:18:55.442] There's not many pictures from university, but we have one, and it's here.

19:38

[00 18:55.442 – 00:18:56.621] It's the freshman class.

19:40

[00 18:56.621 – 00:19:06.762] Long story short, when, uh, Silkworth was actually in high school, there's a, a great description of, uh, um, you know, him.

19:47

[00 19:06.762 – 00:19:09.602] His, uh, music teacher wanted him to do a solo.

19:51

[00 19:09.602 – 00:19:12.182] Silkworth did not like to do solos.

19:53

[00 19:12.182 – 00:19:22.262] He liked group things, and of course, they didn't meet eye to eye, and, you know, Silkworth kind of was like, "Well, you know, heck with this," and he left and never came back and ended up going to Princeton.

20:07

[00 19:22.262 – 00:19:24.182] And, uh, there he is right there.

20:10

[00 19:24.182 – 00:19:30.902] And of course, you know, in that, uh, photograph, uh, he was a first tenor, so he had a beautiful singing voice.

20:17

[00 19:30.902 – 00:19:38.422] And of course, when you b- blow up the photograph and you kind of look exactly where he is, he is the third standing from the right.

20:26

[00 19:38.422 – 00:19:40.862] So there's, uh, William, uh, Silkworth.

20:29

[00 19:40.862 – 00:19:44.842] And of course, he does graduate, um, uh, Princeton University.

20:32

[00 19:44.842 – 00:19:47.112] In fact, he got his associate bachelor's.

20:35

[00 19:47.112 – 00:19:57.742] And of course, uh, that is a, uh, uh, photograph of his grand niece in 2021, uh, holding the Silkworth, uh, uh, uh, you know, Princeton,

20:43

[00 19:57.742 – 00:19:59.142] um, uh, degree.

20:45

[00 19:59.142 – 00:20:09.322] And of course, she donated it right after that photograph to GSO, and it is on display in the little Silkworth, uh, section of, uh, the, uh, main office there at, uh, uh, GSO

20:56

[00 20:09.322 – 00:20:10.022] in New York.

20:58

[00 20:10.022 – 00:20:13.142] So, uh, uh, uh, just a, just an amazing thing.

21:01

[00 20:13.142 – 00:20:15.762] Again, you know, what a, what a, what an intelligent guy.

21:05

[00 20:15.762 – 00:20:25.862] Now, in 1898, Bellevue Medical Hospital, this is just a note to give you some, some context, the Bellevue Medical College merged with New York

21:13

[00 20:25.862 – 00:20:34.842] University's, uh, uh, Medical College to create University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and there's kind of the logo as you see there.

21:21

[00 20:34.842 – 00:20:38.762] Now, in 1896, at the age of 23, med school, he-

21:25

[00 20:38.994 – 00:20:49.594] Went to Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and, uh, there's a photograph of one building in particular called the Carnegie Laboratory, and we'll come back to that because he'll actually

21:34

[00 20:49.594 – 00:20:54.054] do some further research there, uh, uh, in Carnegie.

21:38

[00 20:54.054 – 00:20:59.954] But again, he end, ends up, uh, studying, uh, uh, psychiatry, graduating May 16th of 1899.

21:43

[00 20:59.954 – 00:21:04.594] But he actually, uh, had some descriptions of some of his, uh, uh, work there.

21:48

[00 21:04.594 – 00:21:13.254] In fact, while, uh, Dale Mitchell writes that, "While at Bellevue, Silkworth had the opportunity to study under and be tutored by Dr.

21:56

[00 21:13.254 – 00:21:23.314] Alexander Lambert, a visiting physician and a man whose path he would again cross nearly 30 years later."

22:02

[00 21:23.314 – 00:21:27.694] So Alexander Lambert, and I'll, I'll go ahead and just kinda make a connection.

22:07

[00 21:27.694 – 00:21:30.494] Um, Alexander Lambert and Dr.

22:09

[00 21:30.494 – 00:21:33.194] Charles, or, or, or, or, uh, Charles B.

22:12

[00 21:33.194 – 00:21:36.074] Towns, um, and of course, you know, they interact.

22:15

[00 21:36.074 – 00:21:37.774] But, you know, the soon-to-be Dr.

22:18

[00 21:37.774 – 00:21:42.874] Silkworth at this young age, uh, you know, is, is, uh, basically studying under...

22:22

[00 21:42.874 – 00:21:52.314] In fact, pa- he says that, "Lambert was passionately interested in narcotic addiction, later becoming one of the most respected mens in the field of treatment.

22:31

[00 21:52.314 – 00:22:02.674] He published his first of many articles while working with Silkworth at Bellevue." So again, if anybody knows or, you know, the, the belladonna

22:40

[00 22:02.674 – 00:22:05.514] treatment, originally it was called the Towns-Lambert treatment.

22:43

[00 22:05.514 – 00:22:13.854] But, uh, s- it's looks as though Silkworth was kinda in the, the earliest of, uh, uh, times, you know, maybe even before Silkworth.

22:51

[00 22:13.854 – 00:22:18.684] I mean, uh, maybe even before, uh, Lambert and, uh, Towns, uh, interacted with each other.

22:56

[00 22:18.684 – 00:22:21.054] But again, l- you know, looking at the dates.

23:00

[00 22:21.054 – 00:22:22.574] Uh, so pretty fascinating.

23:01

[00 22:22.574 – 00:22:27.954] Again, now here's the major point while he was at this Bellevue Medical College.

23:06

[00 22:27.954 – 00:22:38.034] This was the first real encounter with, quote, "Alcoholics of the hopeless variety." You know, there was, uh, you know, people that

23:14

[00 22:38.034 – 00:22:45.174] could drink and, you know, given enough, you know, grief or, or, or struggle, you know, were able to, to, to stop or moderate.

23:22

[00 22:45.174 – 00:22:49.274] But, you know, there were some that just could not, no matter what.

23:27

[00 22:49.274 – 00:22:56.633] There was something, and of course, uh, this was, uh, the first visual, like, identification of that.

23:33

[00 22:56.633 – 00:23:06.554] Now, sometime toward the end of Princeton, uh, of course, uh, he actually, uh, um, um, had a, uh, uh, kind of a, a, a, a w- a woman in mind.

23:43

[00 23:06.554 – 00:23:09.414] Uh, she actually, uh, is from West Long Branch.

23:46

[00 23:09.414 – 00:23:19.434] Unknown exactly when they first met, but, uh, by the time, uh, January 10th of, uh, uh, uh, she was born January 10th of 1875, so they're about three

23:56

[00 23:19.434 – 00:23:20.584] years apart from each other.

23:58

[00 23:20.584 – 00:23:25.154] But they ended up getting married, uh, when he was still in, in med school.

24:03

[00 23:25.154 – 00:23:35.534] There's a marriage certificate from Manhattan, number 11397, uh, that shows the wedding took place in July 22nd of 1898.

24:09

[00 23:35.534 – 00:23:41.834] Uh, uh, and of course, as 1899 arises, things, um, uh, move on.

24:14

[00 23:41.834 – 00:23:47.154] But just a quick little, uh, uh, photograph of, of, uh, the family tree from the Dale Mitchell book.

24:20

[00 23:47.154 – 00:23:49.144] Um, you can clearly see, you know, Dr.

24:23

[00 23:49.144 – 00:23:53.474] William Duncan Silkworth and Marie Antoinette, and then there's a baby Silkworth.

24:27

[00 23:53.474 – 00:23:57.994] So, you know, it's interesting and, you know, we'll, we'll get to that in, in a couple of slides.

24:34

[00 23:57.994 – 00:24:04.014] But, you know, when you look at the whole family Silkworth, uh, that was, uh, that was, that was it at this point.

24:42

[00 24:04.014 – 00:24:06.914] And, uh, uh, again, you know, the process began.

24:45

[00 24:06.914 – 00:24:17.194] So Bellevue Medical, uh, College, uh, he actually, uh, gets the, uh, uh, you know, the, the, the graduation kinda certificate notification

24:53

[00 24:17.194 – 00:24:17.684] seen there.

24:54

[00 24:17.684 – 00:24:18.134] It says, "Mr.

24:55

[00 24:18.134 – 00:24:28.414] William Duncan Silkworth, I am pleased to inform you that you have passed satisfactory examinations in all subjects, and the medical faculty have re- recommended you to the Council

25:05

[00 24:28.414 – 00:24:29.344] for Graduation.

25:06

[00 24:29.344 – 00:24:38.854] The degree of Medical Doctor will be conferred upon you on May 16th of 1899." And of course, the fine print at the bottom says it all.

25:15

[00 24:38.854 – 00:24:49.034] It says, "The degree will not be conferred upon you, uh, any candidate who absents himself from the public commencement." So basically, you know, if you don't show up, you know, you're,

25:26

[00 24:49.034 – 00:24:50.574] you're, you're, you're, you're screwed.

25:28

[00 24:50.574 – 00:24:52.534] But of course, he is not gonna miss that up.

25:31

[00 24:52.534 – 00:24:54.193] In fact, the invitations went out.

25:34

[00 24:54.193 – 00:24:55.754] It was a proud day for the parents.

25:37

[00 24:55.754 – 00:25:03.394] William W., and of course, mother Isabella Duncan, uh, uh, um, uh, you know, come to the, the whole thing.

25:43

[00 25:03.394 – 00:25:04.094] In fact, it's...

25:45

[00 25:04.094 – 00:25:14.714] What's really fascinating is, you know, the university, the commencement exercises May 16th of 1899 actually take place at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York,

25:53

[00 25:14.714 – 00:25:17.874] and, uh, uh, pretty, pretty am- uh, amazing.

25:56

[00 25:17.874 – 00:25:24.894] Uh, the commencement actually kicks off, and, uh, interesting note, he finished med school in just three years.

26:03

[00 25:24.894 – 00:25:31.054] Same thing he basically did in high school, but again, as of now, uh, he is officially Dr.

26:09

26:10

[00 25:33.274 – 00:25:40.714] And again, it took place at 8:00 on the Metropolitan Opera House, uh, Tuesday, May 16th of 1899.

26:16

[00 25:40.714 – 00:25:42.094] So again, Dr.

26:17

26:18

[00 25:43.814 – 00:25:53.864] Now, here's an amazing cross between, and of course, you know, this was, uh, as a result of his first interactions at Bellevue, and something that we were, you know, talking about pretty,

26:29

[00 25:53.864 – 00:25:54.914] pretty recently.

26:30

[00 25:54.914 – 00:26:02.014] Um, there's a, uh, a, a, a great interaction, uh, just as in the movie On the Bowery.

26:37

[00 26:02.014 – 00:26:06.974] If anybody's ever seen On the Bowery, it's a really, really gnarly, uh, uh, you know, movie.

26:43

[00 26:06.974 – 00:26:10.514] But this was all his pre-doctorate, uh, uh, interaction.

26:46

[00 26:10.514 – 00:26:13.834] Now, while there at Bellevue, he actually witnessed...

26:49

[00 26:13.834 – 00:26:23.914] It's described that he actually witnessed somebody detoxing from alcohol, dying from a disease that was caught sleeping in the gutter down on the Bowery.

26:57

[00 26:23.914 – 00:26:33.794] And of course, seeing that person wanting more now than ever, just one more drink, was, was something that kinda stuck out with him.

27:06

[00 26:33.794 – 00:26:42.974] So, you know, he's watching a guy that's technically kind of melting away, and, uh, that guy wants more than ever just, just one more drink.

27:15

[00 26:42.974 – 00:26:45.334] And, you know, I, I can just imagine.

27:18

[00 26:45.334 – 00:26:48.574] That's, you know, that is the hopeless, uh, uh, alcoholic.

27:21

[00 26:48.574 – 00:26:58.674] Again, from there, uh, there is evidence that he tried to start private practice, or at least three attempts, uh, again back in Long Branch up to 1902.

27:30

[00 26:58.674 – 00:27:01.444] But Princeton records state the following.

27:33

[00 27:01.444 – 00:27:04.594] And Princeton, you know, they, they keep tabs on folks.

27:36

[00 27:04.594 – 00:27:10.104] Uh, some of the information isn't exactly accurate, but they make an attempt.

27:41

[00 27:10.104 – 00:27:16.494] It says, "Studied at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduated MD 1899.

27:44

[00 27:16.494 – 00:27:22.434] He was a ship surgeon with the Panama Railroad Steamship Line." That's pretty interesting.

27:49

[00 27:22.434 – 00:27:28.614] "All the way to 1906, Medical Examiner of the Kn- Order of the Knights of Columbus.

27:55

[00 27:28.614 – 00:27:31.704] Um, married Marie Antoinette Bennett June 12th-"

27:57

[00 27:31.872 – 00:27:33.112] 1902, date's wrong.

27:58

[00 27:33.112 – 00:27:37.282] And of course, that took, uh, place in, uh, Brooklyn, New York.

28:03

[00 27:37.282 – 00:27:41.352] And again, during his ship days, here's what's interesting.

28:06

[00 27:41.352 – 00:27:51.432] Silkworth also traveled to Leipzig, Germany, uh, East Germany, actually, where he met and, uh, developed a friendship with Professor Beckhold

28:13

[00 27:51.432 – 00:27:52.972] of Leipzig University.

28:14

[00 27:52.972 – 00:28:03.332] The study of cellular colloids was based on the existence of an internal substance containing many individual particles held together as a single molecule.

28:23

[00 28:03.332 – 00:28:13.452] This matter, held within our blood, was thought to bring about change in the actual cell structure through assimilation of protein and other substances,

28:31

[00 28:13.452 – 00:28:15.412] particularly in the thyroid gland.

28:33

[00 28:15.412 – 00:28:25.692] Those in this field were discovering, among other things, that there was a possible link between the consumption of alcohol and psychological cravings.

28:41

[00 28:25.692 – 00:28:30.112] Beckhold believes body cells became sensitized to alcohol.

28:44

[00 28:30.112 – 00:28:39.482] And that's where that Carnegie laboratory comes into play, because he'll actually go back and try to, you know, do some, do some, uh, research, uh, there at that facility.

28:54

[00 28:39.482 – 00:28:41.872] So, uh, just an interesting thing.

28:56

[00 28:41.872 – 00:28:52.152] Again, this is the earliest, you know, uh, uh, you know, this was back when he was, you know, interacting, uh, sailing the, the, the seas with the, uh, uh, Panama Railroad Steamship Line.

29:08

[00 28:52.152 – 00:29:02.452] Uh, again, interesting accounts, uh, uh, with, uh, Silkworth, um, uh, es- you know, especially with a description of him working with alcoholics, minimal

29:16

[00 29:02.452 – 00:29:03.852] interaction at best.

29:17

[00 29:03.852 – 00:29:14.112] Now, in the beginning, it's described that he actually centered around narcotic addiction, seemed, uh, to be the prevalent, uh, focus of his practice, at least for the start of his career.

29:28

[00 29:14.112 – 00:29:15.792] He even wrote a couple of articles.

29:31

[00 29:15.792 – 00:29:20.152] There were two in 1908, uh, and one in 1909.

29:34

[00 29:20.152 – 00:29:24.212] Uh, the first one was Treatment of Opium Habit in Indian and China.

29:38

[00 29:24.212 – 00:29:31.592] And of course, uh, the second in, uh, '08 was, uh, uh, Notes on the Jungle Plant Corbretum Sundiacum.

29:45

[00 29:31.592 – 00:29:41.651] And, uh, of course, in '09, he, he did another one, uh, with, uh, uh, uh, continuing about that, uh, jungle plant, the, uh, Corbretum, uh, Sundiacum.

29:54

[00 29:41.651 – 00:29:43.572] And he also paid his dues.

29:56

[00 29:43.572 – 00:29:45.652] In fact, here he is with his, uh, uh...

30:00

[00 29:45.652 – 00:29:49.772] Again, this was the, the 1908, uh, uh, little snapshot.

30:03

[00 29:49.772 – 00:29:54.592] But, you know, Medical Society of the County of New York received William Duncan Silkworth.

30:08

[00 29:54.592 – 00:30:03.812] He paid $8, and of course, the initiation fees and dues and state assessments for the year ending December 31st, uh, uh, 1908.

30:15

[00 30:03.812 – 00:30:11.252] So again, he is, uh, up and running with the, uh, New York, uh, Society of, um, um, Medicine pretty, pretty much.

30:23

[00 30:11.252 – 00:30:21.552] Now, again, jumping, you know, 1915, 1916, it is described that Silkworth was developing his own private sanitarium for addicts

30:29

[00 30:21.552 – 00:30:24.012] and alcoholics way before Towns Hospital.

30:32

[00 30:24.012 – 00:30:31.392] In fact, it's also described that the financial strain on him and his wife, Marie Antoinette, seemed, uh, pretty much impossible.

30:39

[00 30:31.392 – 00:30:41.592] It's suggested that this venture was not able to meet its financial monthly quota with income from clients alone, even while he was working a side job in the evenings

30:49

[00 30:41.592 – 00:30:43.112] at the Broad Street Hospital.

30:51

[00 30:43.112 – 00:30:51.332] Now, there may have been problems trying to operate this facility, and there's, uh, just a few, uh, uh, reports, uh, uh, on that.

30:59

[00 30:51.332 – 00:30:57.832] In fact, one that really kind of sticks out is the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on March 25th of 1916.

31:05

[00 30:57.832 – 00:31:02.372] Now, if this is it, it looks as though there were, in fact, troubled waters.

31:11

[00 31:02.372 – 00:31:07.492] In fact, Sanitarium sues mayor for revoking 8th Avenue license.

31:14

[00 31:07.492 – 00:31:16.392] In fact, summed up, in short, this is a long article, it says, "A court hearing kicked off a revoked license for sanitarium operated by Dr.

31:23

[00 31:16.392 – 00:31:17.712] Henry C.

31:24

[00 31:17.712 – 00:31:19.332] Claus and Dr.

31:26

[00 31:19.332 – 00:31:29.352] William Duncan Silkworth, co-owners of number 70 8th Avenue Brooklyn, specializing in drug addiction." Side note, there's an interesting little, uh, thing that

31:33

[00 31:29.352 – 00:31:36.252] has, uh, uh, been going on in that timeframe called the Boylan Act into the, uh, Harrison Act, but we'll get to that in a second.

31:42

[00 31:36.252 – 00:31:41.972] But, uh, again, this was the troubled waters, uh, especially they revoked, uh, uh, the license.

31:48

[00 31:41.972 – 00:31:47.292] Now, of course, you know, uh, what we know of, uh, Silkworth called her Annette.

31:53

[00 31:47.292 – 00:31:57.372] Uh, so hearing what Miss Annette was like, you could almost hear her say to her dear, sweet husband, "Don't need that type of headache." And, uh, again,

32:02

[00 31:57.372 – 00:32:00.572] just a, just an interesting, you know, little chain of events.

32:06

[00 32:00.572 – 00:32:10.592] It was this encounter starting in '15 into '16, that a new legislation in town about the possibility of criminal consequences from the

32:14

[00 32:10.592 – 00:32:18.632] federal Harrison Act from '15, and before that, even the Boylan Act in New York, that Silkworth decided to stop working with addicts altogether.

32:22

[00 32:18.632 – 00:32:19.012] Why?

32:23

[00 32:19.012 – 00:32:21.732] Because there was a real risk there.

32:26

[00 32:21.732 – 00:32:22.972] You could get in trouble.

32:28

[00 32:22.972 – 00:32:31.632] Uh, a- again, you know, it was, uh, uh, uh, uh, you know, this was something that, you know, basically was, had potential.

32:36

[00 32:31.632 – 00:32:38.012] In fact, from this point forward, he devours all focus on alcoholics only from now on.

32:41

[00 32:38.012 – 00:32:48.012] Now, from this point in time, again, there's another little aspect in history that seemed to be kind of taking the stage, and as it was, there just so happened to be a drastic change

32:53

[00 32:48.012 – 00:32:51.892] of direction regarding the world's affairs around 1917.

32:56

[00 32:51.892 – 00:32:54.132] And of course, we're talking about World War I.

32:59

[00 32:54.132 – 00:32:59.952] America came together, fully supporting the war efforts without reservation, and Dr.

33:03

[00 32:59.952 – 00:33:01.872] Silkworth did the same.

33:05

[00 33:01.872 – 00:33:07.432] And, uh, of course, that's a little poster for, uh, uh, the US, uh, uh, Army Medical Corps.

33:11

[00 33:07.432 – 00:33:11.272] And, uh, again, being a doctor, that's exactly what he did.

33:15

[00 33:11.272 – 00:33:22.012] And, uh, here's the commissions accepted, uh, that were found in the Journal of American Medical Association, August 10th of 18- uh, of August 10th of 1918.

33:24

[00 33:22.012 – 00:33:27.532] And of course, when we look down at New York and we blow that up, you can clearly see William D.

33:31

[00 33:27.532 – 00:33:31.132] Silkworth from New York was one of, uh, the, the members there.

33:35

[00 33:31.132 – 00:33:35.442] So he signed up for the Medical Corps and of course, got busy and transferred.

33:41

[00 33:35.442 – 00:33:36.592] He didn't go far.

33:42

[00 33:36.592 – 00:33:40.652] He actually still stayed in New York, basically went up to Plattsburgh.

33:47

[00 33:40.652 – 00:33:47.692] And of course, if you know Bill's story, you know, he had his, uh, uh, first initial, uh, uh, training there at Plattsburgh.

33:55

[00 33:47.692 – 00:33:49.272] Here's a, here's a little note.

33:57

[00 33:49.272 – 00:33:55.832] Uh, Silkworth and Bill, um, uh, were actually one and, almost one and a half years, uh, uh, a- apart.

34:04

[00 33:55.832 – 00:33:58.722] But, uh, uh, again, it was the same base.

34:07

[00 33:58.722 – 00:34:02.352] Bill went in the, the early time and then was transferred, and then Silkworth came.

34:12

[00 34:02.352 – 00:34:03.572] But here's the thing.

34:14

[00 34:03.572 – 00:34:10.792] Again, Bill served about a month before transfer to Fort Monroe, and Silky was attached to US General Hospital 30.

34:21

[00 34:10.792 – 00:34:12.592] That's what they called the base hospital there.

34:23

[00 34:12.592 – 00:34:16.532] And it was a typical, it was a full-fledged, uh, uh, hospital.

34:28

[00 34:16.532 – 00:34:22.952] In fact, uh, some of the things they had, especially up, uh, uh, Silkworth's, uh, uh, kind of wheelhouse, have you.

34:35

[00 34:22.952 – 00:34:24.472] Um, here is a-

34:37

[00 34:24.818 – 00:34:32.389] sure of the, uh, hydrotherapy room in the physiotherapy department of, uh, General Hospital number 30 in Plattsburgh Barracks.

34:43

[00 34:32.389 – 00:34:41.569] Uh, um, and, and of course, you know, uh, some of the, the, the, the usual, uh, uh, you know, showering and, and, uh, uh, tub stype- type stuff.

34:53

[00 34:41.569 – 00:34:44.649] This is actually called the electrotherapy room.

34:55

[00 34:44.649 – 00:34:49.349] So they have hydrotherapy and electrotherapy, all different kinds of therapies.

34:59

[00 34:49.349 – 00:34:57.589] In fact, actually, you know, with this electrotherapy, interesting, because the guy in the center that's kinda sitting in that chair, they actually called that the electric chair.

35:09

[00 34:57.589 – 00:35:05.929] So, um, you know, these were, uh, uh, folks that were, uh, returning from World War I, uh, receiving, you know, treatment and all this, these various...

35:18

[00 35:05.929 – 00:35:10.289] You had, you know, um, uh, uh, again, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy.

35:22

[00 35:10.289 – 00:35:15.709] Even had just regular, you know, grade A therapy, and, uh, that's just an interesting thing.

35:27

[00 35:15.709 – 00:35:20.149] Uh, uh, again, all this took place at, uh, Plattsburgh, uh, in New York.

35:32

[00 35:20.149 – 00:35:25.349] Now, there's not many pictures of, of, uh, Silkworth in the area, but there's some mentions.

35:38

[00 35:25.349 – 00:35:35.369] In fact, uh, they started a, uh, in-house magazine called The Plattsburgh Reflux, and on this particular one, January 8th of 1919, you can

35:46

[00 35:35.369 – 00:35:45.509] actually see, uh, if you flip to page 12, it says, "The list of officers, US General Hospital number 30, Plattsburgh Barracks," and un- under lieutenants, you can actually

35:55

[00 35:45.509 – 00:35:47.009] see Lieutenant William D.

35:57

[00 35:47.009 – 00:35:48.679] Silkworth, Medical Corps.

35:58

[00 35:48.679 – 00:35:54.009] But what's interesting is, again, you, you always read the fine print, because there's more to it.

36:04

[00 35:54.009 – 00:35:56.809] In fact, it said that, "Lieutenant W.D.

36:07

[00 35:56.809 – 00:35:59.789] Silkworth has not made mention nowadays.

36:09

[00 35:59.789 – 00:36:09.949] He has also been very quiet since his wife has arrived." So again, you know, his, his wife, Anne Marie Antoinette, is now on base, but it's interesting how they say,

36:20

[00 36:09.949 – 00:36:18.829] "Has been very quiet since his wife has arrived." There's actually a few other quick mentions, uh, just giving one, you know, a couple, a, a plug.

36:29

[00 36:18.829 – 00:36:24.909] This one, "Lieutenant Silkworth, our popular lieutenant, has quite a worried look of late.

36:34

[00 36:24.909 – 00:36:31.269] His patent for highly polished floors has been stolen." Interesting, uh, uh, uh, note there.

36:39

[00 36:31.269 – 00:36:35.529] And of course, another one, uh, "Lieutenant Silkworth is rather quiet these days.

36:44

[00 36:35.529 – 00:36:36.619] Yes, I know.

36:45

[00 36:36.619 – 00:36:46.149] His wife is here." So again, you know, just interesting how, you know, it kinda makes you wonder what he, what he, what was like at the, uh, you know, the, at the base.

36:56

[00 36:46.149 – 00:36:53.889] But, uh, definitely, um, uh, part of, uh, uh, the, the, the picture, not, you know, out front, not, not hiding.

37:04

[00 36:53.889 – 00:36:55.689] Uh, pretty interesting.

37:05

[00 36:55.689 – 00:37:00.709] And again, you know, it was here at Plattsburgh Barracks, General Hospital Number 30, 1919.

37:10

[00 37:00.709 – 00:37:06.609] This was where he first theorizes the idea of an allergy to alcoholism.

37:14

[00 37:06.609 – 00:37:16.929] In fact, summed up, he says, "Some soldiers could stop drinking, and some could not." And it was here where he starts developing this, this, this second,

37:23

[00 37:16.929 – 00:37:26.969] you know, factor, that there's some kind of physical, uh, uh, uh, uh, you know, kinda allergy or, or reaction when, uh, uh, some people can,

37:32

[00 37:26.969 – 00:37:30.069] can, uh, you know, start, uh, drinking, uh, alcohol.

37:36

[00 37:30.069 – 00:37:33.729] Again, some could stop, but some could not.

37:39

[00 37:33.729 – 00:37:40.389] And, uh, again, that was, uh, pretty much where, where it, it, you know, the whole thing, uh, kicked off.

37:45

[00 37:40.389 – 00:37:50.609] He was honorably discharged July 10th of n- uh, 1919, and what's interesting, again, tracking all his movements, going

37:52

[00 37:50.609 – 00:37:55.709] back to the Princeton Record a couple years down the road in 1921, he, another write-up on him.

37:58

[00 37:55.709 – 00:38:05.729] He says, uh, "William Duncan Silkworth, physician practicing at number 250 West 88th Street, New York." So he's working at,

38:04

[00 38:05.729 – 00:38:07.489] uh, 250 West 88th Street.

38:06

[00 38:07.489 – 00:38:09.249] "Specializing in neurology.

38:07

[00 38:09.249 – 00:38:14.429] Also attending neurologist OPD at Governor Hospital in New York City.

38:11

[00 38:14.429 – 00:38:19.729] He mar- married Marie Antoinette." They still got the date wrong, but, uh, uh, the year is off.

38:17

[00 38:19.729 – 00:38:24.409] Uh, July 22nd of, uh, 1901 should be, uh, changed.

38:21

[00 38:24.409 – 00:38:31.089] And anyway, "Lives at Little Silver, New Jersey." And here's where, you know, this is pretty interesting.

38:27

[00 38:31.089 – 00:38:40.089] "Had one child," and of course, Sewall Silkworth, who was born March 10th of 1906 and died March 25th of 1906.

38:33

[00 38:40.089 – 00:38:42.569] So you know, we know he had a child.

38:36

[00 38:42.569 – 00:38:48.409] Uh, we didn't know what his name was, and you know, according to, uh, the Princeton Record, his name was Sewall.

38:44

[00 38:48.409 – 00:38:51.149] So you know, just, just one of those things.

38:47

[00 38:51.149 – 00:39:01.109] Uh, uh, and of course, you know, even on the death certificate when you look at it, it was actually Baby Silkworth, so it doesn't say anything about his name, but we now know his name.

38:59

[00 39:01.109 – 00:39:08.589] And of course, he was born, the dates are off on the, the, the Princeton thing, but their dates are all pretty much all off.

39:08

[00 39:08.589 – 00:39:19.029] But again, on this, uh, death certificate, he was born February 27th of 1909, and of course, six days later, on March 4th, 1909,

39:15

[00 39:19.029 – 00:39:20.689] he, uh, uh, passed away.

39:17

[00 39:20.689 – 00:39:31.009] Uh, and of course, uh, the cause was initia- uh, inate, uh, initiation, uh, uh, yeah, initiation syndrome

39:23

[00 39:31.009 – 00:39:32.489] following malnutrition.

39:24

[00 39:32.489 – 00:39:42.569] And, uh, uh, again, this was, uh, just a, uh, an interesting, you know, kinda perspective, you know, when they were in that timeframe,

39:33

[00 39:42.569 – 00:39:42.909] you know?

39:34

[00 39:42.909 – 00:39:45.689] Uh, just, just, uh, you know, it's sad.

39:37

[00 39:45.689 – 00:39:50.769] Um, uh, again, um, continues with the, uh, Princeton Record.

39:40

[00 39:50.769 – 00:40:00.789] It says, "First lieutenant in the Medical Reserve during the war, was on active duty at Plattsburgh as a neurologist, where he served 14 months, being released August 1919," and of course,

39:50

[00 40:00.789 – 00:40:02.549] moving to bigger and better things.

39:53

[00 40:02.549 – 00:40:06.649] Through the 1920s, he worked several jobs at hospitals around New York.

39:57

[00 40:06.649 – 00:40:16.889] In fact, 1923, it's described he was in the outpatient department of Presbyterian Hospital in New York, and then by 1925, it's described that he was served

40:06

[00 40:16.889 – 00:40:25.909] as clinical assistant at the Neurological Institute College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.

40:11

[00 40:25.909 – 00:40:27.249] Now, we'll just get this out of the way.

40:14

[00 40:27.249 – 00:40:32.689] All of that ends up joining forces in due time, uh, so we'll, we'll, we'll get to that.

40:20

[00 40:32.689 – 00:40:38.589] Uh, but again, you know, making a, a long story, uh, uh, short, he is, uh, uh, staying busy.

40:27

[00 40:38.589 – 00:40:46.829] In fact, this is from Presbyterian Hospital at 168th Street and Broadway, June 20th of 1929.

40:32

[00 40:46.829 – 00:40:47.269] "Dear Dr.

40:33

[00 40:47.269 – 00:40:57.929] Silkworth, uh, uh, uh, it gives me pleasure to inform you that at the meeting of the board of managers held on June 11th, uh, 1929,

40:42

[00 40:57.929 – 00:41:05.209] you were appointed clinical assistant neurology at Vanderbilt Clinic for the year beginning July 1st, 1929.

40:47

[00 41:05.209 – 00:41:08.699] Will you kindly acknowledge receipt of this communication?

40:50

[00 41:08.699 – 00:41:17.599] Very truly yours, the secretary." And again, you know, all of, uh, the, uh, became, you know, pretty much, uh, Columbia Presbyterian, uh, Hospital, but-

40:58

[00 41:18.481 – 00:41:22.421] Uh, uh, you know, here's an- here's another one, uh, and about a year later.

41:04

[00 41:22.421 – 00:41:27.361] Uh, and of course, you know, what's interesting is, you know, that's 1929 and 1930.

41:08

[00 41:27.361 – 00:41:34.861] Side issue of what else is going on at the time, well, that's the Great Depression, and, uh, you know, the Black Friday, the whole nine yards.

41:18

[00 41:34.861 – 00:41:37.081] And here he is, 1930, he has a job.

41:21

[00 41:37.081 – 00:41:37.601] "My dear Dr.

41:22

[00 41:37.601 – 00:41:47.661] Silkworth, it is my pleasure to advise you that at the last meeting on the board of trustees, you were duly appointed clinical assistant on the staff of the Neurological Institute for the

41:33

[00 41:47.661 – 00:41:48.591] year 1930.

41:34

[00 41:48.591 – 00:41:56.781] The board appreciates your loyal interest in the institute and is glad that we are to continue to have the benefit of your experience and service.

41:43

[00 41:56.781 – 00:42:06.121] Again, very truly yours." And, uh, the new building as seen, uh, in the, uh, the, the, the postcard over there, Neurological Institute Medical Center.

41:51

[00 42:06.121 – 00:42:08.701] Uh, again, 168 Street and Broadway.

41:53

[00 42:08.701 – 00:42:09.921] Pretty, pretty amazing.

41:54

[00 42:09.921 – 00:42:14.701] And it was shortly thereafter that he ends up at Towns Hospital.

41:59

[00 42:14.701 – 00:42:22.200] So it was after 1930, 1931, that he, uh, uh, gets a job from his old friend, um, uh, Charles B.

42:05

[00 42:22.200 – 00:42:22.721] Towns.

42:06

[00 42:22.721 – 00:42:23.511] In fact, Charles B.

42:08

[00 42:23.511 – 00:42:27.201] Towns puts him at the head of the alcoholic wing.

42:11

[00 42:27.201 – 00:42:31.241] Now, again, this was, um, the, uh, uh, you know, uh, Charles B.

42:16

[00 42:31.241 – 00:42:37.381] Towns Hospital at addiction and, uh, alcoholism, but, uh, puts him in there.

42:20

[00 42:37.381 – 00:42:43.601] Now again, Silkworth's actions, uh, and, uh, his duties, uh, slowly, uh, developed.

42:25

[00 42:43.601 – 00:42:47.661] The hospital had an up-and-running operation from Charles B.

42:28

[00 42:47.661 – 00:42:50.761] Towns himself from early 1905, really 1909.

42:30

[00 42:50.761 – 00:42:56.061] Again, not going into much detail before Bill Wilson visits.

42:34

[00 42:56.061 – 00:42:58.461] Um, but it was with Bill W.

42:37

[00 42:58.461 – 00:43:03.061] and Silkworth that a more successful treatment, uh, emerged.

42:40

[00 43:03.061 – 00:43:08.681] So again, after that 1934 is when really this, this, uh, uh, kinda took shape.

42:45

[00 43:08.681 – 00:43:11.341] In fact, there's mention of the belladonna treatment.

42:48

[00 43:11.341 – 00:43:14.021] Now, uh, again, you know, the Towns-Lambert.

42:50

[00 43:14.021 – 00:43:17.641] Remember he worked with, uh, uh, Alexander Lambert back in medical school.

42:55

[00 43:17.641 – 00:43:25.401] But it appeared that the belladonna treatment, or the Towns-Lambert treatment, was used, especially in the early time of both of the Charles B.

43:03

[00 43:25.401 – 00:43:26.440] Towns Hospital.

43:04

[00 43:26.440 – 00:43:27.521] That's right, there were two.

43:06

[00 43:27.521 – 00:43:38.221] Several of the early cases suggest, uh, more so on morphine than anything really having to do with, uh, uh, uh, alcoholism.

43:13

[00 43:38.221 – 00:43:39.641] In fact, it was also shared.

43:16

[00 43:39.641 – 00:43:43.181] Here's a couple of, uh, advertisements from hospitals all over the country.

43:20

[00 43:43.181 – 00:43:48.541] One in Springfield, Massachusetts, um, uh, the Smith Hospital, Towns-Lambert treatment.

43:24

[00 43:48.541 – 00:43:54.101] One from Hot Springs, Arkansas, um, Morphine Whiskey Habits, Towns-Lambert method, Dr.

43:28

[00 43:54.101 – 00:43:55.601] Pace's Sanitarium.

43:29

[00 43:55.601 – 00:43:58.221] And of course, my favorite, South Bend, Indiana.

43:32

[00 43:58.221 – 00:44:00.751] "Three days only," that's all it takes.

43:35

[00 44:00.751 – 00:44:04.401] Towns-Lambert method at Hope Hospital in South Bend.

43:38

[00 44:04.401 – 00:44:08.361] And it also only costs $65, pays for everything.

43:41

[00 44:08.361 – 00:44:11.461] So, um, pretty, pretty amazing, uh, there.

43:43

[00 44:11.461 – 00:44:14.681] But again, you know, this, uh, uh, Towns-Lambert treatment.

43:47

[00 44:14.681 – 00:44:16.321] And this is just an interesting...

43:49

[00 44:16.321 – 00:44:17.441] This is the second one.

43:51

[00 44:17.441 – 00:44:18.441] This was, uh, Charles B.

43:53

[00 44:18.441 – 00:44:21.941] Towns in, um, uh, uh, uh, Brookline, Massachusetts.

43:56

[00 44:21.941 – 00:44:25.741] It wasn't Towns Hospital for very long, just a couple of years.

44:00

[00 44:25.741 – 00:44:28.541] Uh, but it was, of course, started out that way.

44:04

[00 44:28.541 – 00:44:30.781] And we're gonna look at something by Dr.

44:07

[00 44:30.781 – 00:44:31.621] Richard Cabot.

44:08

[00 44:31.621 – 00:44:35.621] He was one of the, uh, uh, leading, uh, uh, uh, physicians there.

44:12

[00 44:35.621 – 00:44:37.701] And of course, he also played the violin.

44:15

[00 44:37.701 – 00:44:40.761] So again, you know, these, these, these folks with the music.

44:19

[00 44:40.761 – 00:44:45.301] Anyway, this is just an interesting, uh, pamphlet from, uh, Richard C.

44:23

[00 44:45.301 – 00:44:47.950] Cabot, uh, in, uh, Towns Hospital.

44:26

[00 44:47.950 – 00:44:54.351] Again, uh, this was, uh, uh, the Towns-Lambert treatment for morphinism and alcoholism.

44:30

[00 44:54.351 – 00:44:55.461] Now, we're not gonna read this.

44:33

[00 44:55.461 – 00:45:04.450] This is a very long pamphlet, but we will just point out, uh, that there were 10 case studies, uh, that Cabot did using the, the belladonna treatment.

44:42

[00 45:04.450 – 00:45:12.581] All of them, at least listed here, were for, uh, uh, uh, morphine and had nothing to do with alcohol.

44:49

[00 45:12.581 – 00:45:14.381] So I thought that was, uh, pretty interesting.

44:52

[00 45:14.381 – 00:45:16.541] And again, all of this took place at Charles B.

44:55

[00 45:16.541 – 00:45:20.521] Towns Hospital, 106 Sewall Avenue in Brookline, Massachusetts.

44:58

[00 45:20.521 – 00:45:25.641] Now, as time passed, it may have been used less and less.

45:02

[00 45:25.641 – 00:45:28.951] In fact, watered down by the time Bill and Silkworth get together.

45:07

[00 45:28.951 – 00:45:32.381] And we'll revisit that, uh, uh, a little later.

45:10

[00 45:32.381 – 00:45:36.421] But again, back to the New, uh, uh, New York Towns Hospital.

45:14

[00 45:36.421 – 00:45:38.640] It does describe hydrotherapy.

45:16

[00 45:38.640 – 00:45:42.241] Remember, uh, he worked hydrotherapy at Plattsburgh.

45:18

[00 45:42.241 – 00:45:43.421] They had something there.

45:20

[00 45:43.421 – 00:45:45.441] And of course, this is Towns Hospital.

45:23

[00 45:45.441 – 00:45:47.471] In fact, this is a neat little advertisement.

45:26

[00 45:47.471 – 00:45:57.561] And, uh, it's from Mott Equipment, but it says, "100% efficiency in the administration of hydrotherapeutic treatment is exemplified with the Mott equipment on the

45:34

[00 45:57.561 – 00:45:59.091] fifth floor of Charles B.

45:36

[00 45:59.091 – 00:46:09.701] Towns Hospital." And when you look at the, the, the photographs, again, blowing some of those up, you can actually see the, there's a whole lot of spray nozzles pointed at a shower.

45:47

[00 46:09.701 – 00:46:19.741] Um, there is a, uh, bathtub or two on the top frame, and then on the bottom frame, different rooms, definitely two bathtubs, and one that's actually hooked up

45:57

[00 46:19.741 – 00:46:23.661] to, uh, a lot of, uh, uh, pipes, and that is high-pressure system.

46:01

[00 46:23.661 – 00:46:27.401] In fact, closer look of that actual, uh, room.

46:05

[00 46:27.401 – 00:46:31.001] This was, uh, again, found in, in, uh, one of the, the, the pamphlets.

46:10

[00 46:31.001 – 00:46:33.841] Um, you can clearly see the two bathtubs.

46:13

[00 46:33.841 – 00:46:38.961] And, um, um, not sure what that little black, uh, uh, apparatus is.

46:17

[00 46:38.961 – 00:46:44.621] Uh, I've been told that it is some type of water agitation, uh, device.

46:22

[00 46:44.621 – 00:46:50.741] But, you know, the joke here is, is, you know, I kinda get the feeling of taking a bath with the, uh, toaster oven.

46:30

[00 46:50.741 – 00:46:54.821] Uh, but of course, you know, the two bathrooms there, a hamper, and a large sink.

46:36

[00 46:54.821 – 00:46:56.281] And these were small rooms.

46:38

[00 46:56.281 – 00:46:58.901] Keep in mind that this is, uh, you know, Towns Hospital.

46:42

[00 46:58.901 – 00:47:02.881] It was the smallest building back when there were horses and carriages.

46:46

[00 47:02.881 – 00:47:06.201] And, uh, of course, uh, you know, there was that.

46:50

[00 47:06.201 – 00:47:12.401] And then another angle of the hydrotherapy room, where, uh, you can clearly see, you know, how it is in operation.

46:57

[00 47:12.401 – 00:47:15.941] You got one guy just spraying water on another in the shower.

47:01

[00 47:15.941 – 00:47:20.241] You know, we now, thank God, you know, we don't do that anymore.

47:06

[00 47:20.241 – 00:47:24.121] Uh, but again, you know, this was, uh, uh, the, the hydrotherapy room.

47:11

[00 47:24.121 – 00:47:27.381] You know, another description are the rooftop.

47:13

[00 47:27.381 – 00:47:35.971] Uh, this was also a, a caption of the rooftop gym on, um, uh, one side of, uh, uh, the roof of, uh, uh, the, the Towns Hospital.

47:23

[00 47:35.971 – 00:47:39.141] And there's another, uh, photograph of the lounge.

47:26

[00 47:39.141 – 00:47:49.201] In fact, patients would most likely, after a day of hydrotherapy or, you know, whatever, uh, come up and kinda relax, you know, reflect and,

47:34

[00 47:49.201 – 00:47:54.501] and let go, uh, release pretty much, and drink some, some, some juice or something.

47:39

[00 47:54.501 – 00:47:57.340] Uh, and, uh, just kinda, you know, lounge it.

47:43

[00 47:57.340 – 00:48:05.341] And if you walk over to that window and you look out the window, you're actually looking out over, um, the, the big lake in Central Park West.

47:52

[00 48:05.341 – 00:48:10.571] In fact, this is a photograph of what the view would be, and, uh, the co-

47:58

[00 48:10.899 – 00:48:16.379] building, uh, uh, that you can see on the, the right-hand side is, uh, the roof of, uh, Towns Hospital.

48:05

[00 48:16.379 – 00:48:23.999] So, uh, when you look- if you walk over to that kind of knee wall and look straight down, you are literally looking at Fifth Avenue.

48:14

[00 48:23.999 – 00:48:29.969] And then of course, uh, there is a tree line and, you know, Lake Drive, uh, uh, there.

48:20

[00 48:29.969 – 00:48:35.899] Uh, and of course, uh, the- the big lake in Central Park, and then the l- the line of buildings on the opposite.

48:28

[00 48:35.899 – 00:48:40.939] So, uh, pretty- pretty cool that- that, uh, you know, this was, um, uh, brought.

48:33

[00 48:40.939 – 00:48:43.319] But again, you know, we- we- we jump a little bit.

48:37

[00 48:43.319 – 00:48:52.039] Uh, you know, we're bringing into, uh, the idea of, uh, you know, Bill and of course, you know, interacting with, uh, um, you know, uh, Dr.

48:46

[00 48:52.039 – 00:48:52.838] Silkworth.

48:47

[00 48:52.838 – 00:48:54.719] In fact, this is a pretty interesting.

48:50

[00 48:54.719 – 00:48:56.079] This was the important one.

48:51

[00 48:56.079 – 00:48:59.479] This was the fourth and final visit of Towns Hospital.

48:55

[00 48:59.479 – 00:49:02.419] Um, uh, there's a, a, a couple that are missing.

48:59

[00 49:02.419 – 00:49:06.159] You got fall of '33, uh, as described in Bill's story.

49:03

[00 49:06.159 – 00:49:09.039] You know, he- there he learned the grave nature of alcoholism.

49:07

[00 49:09.039 – 00:49:10.279] Self-knowledge would do that.

49:08

[00 49:10.279 – 00:49:13.459] July of '34, self-knowledge and self-confidence.

49:11

[00 49:13.459 – 00:49:21.479] Then there was an exact one of September 17th, 1934, and that was, uh, good until Armistice Day.

49:16

[00 49:21.479 – 00:49:25.159] You know, "Fear sobered me a bit," and then he was off to the races again.

49:22

[00 49:25.159 – 00:49:27.019] And then there's this one.

49:24

[00 49:27.019 – 00:49:30.899] This one is, uh, uh, December 11th, 1934.

49:27

[00 49:30.899 – 00:49:32.599] This was his sobriety date.

49:29

[00 49:32.599 – 00:49:36.669] Now, in that timeframe, again, you know, working with, uh, uh, uh, Dr.

49:33

[00 49:36.669 – 00:49:37.679] Silkworth, and Dr.

49:35

[00 49:37.679 – 00:49:40.199] Silkworth working with Bill.

49:36

[00 49:40.199 – 00:49:42.139] Now, again, at the time, Dr.

49:39

[00 49:42.139 – 00:49:44.839] Silkworth really just knew what was wrong with people.

49:42

[00 49:44.839 – 00:49:53.219] He didn't know h- you know, he didn't have any of the, uh, the- the- the Oxford Group information or, you know, this- this- this, uh, spiritual thing.

49:51

[00 49:53.219 – 00:49:55.209] But he had the ability.

49:53

[00 49:55.209 – 00:50:05.379] There were several things that he was able to do with, um, uh, uh, you know, alcoholics that just, you know, don't kind of get a s- uh, uh, you know, the- the- the-

50:05

[00 50:05.379 – 00:50:06.699] the- the enlightening.

50:06

[00 50:06.699 – 00:50:09.819] In fact, just a snapshot around the time of Bill's interaction.

50:10

[00 50:09.819 – 00:50:17.339] This is, uh, again, some of Silkworth's input that changed the profound impact on the future direction of Alcoholics Anonymous.

50:17

[00 50:17.339 – 00:50:21.199] It wasn't just his idea of, uh, what was wrong with us.

50:21

[00 50:21.199 – 00:50:25.619] He had the ability to connect and understand the alcoholic.

50:25

[00 50:25.619 – 00:50:31.759] In fact, it's quoted as saying, "He knew us better than we knew ourselves, better than we know each other.

50:32

[00 50:31.759 – 00:50:38.929] Many of us felt that his medical skills, great as that was, was not at all the full measure of his stature.

50:39

[00 50:38.929 – 00:50:46.519] He was able to see the truth of a man when that truth was deeply hidden from the man himself and from everyone else.

50:48

[00 50:46.519 – 00:50:56.419] He was able to save lives that were otherwise beyond help of any kind." Boy, did that not happen with Bill and thousands of others.

50:56

[00 50:56.419 – 00:51:00.099] He also, again, you know the problem, the obsession plus the allergy.

51:00

[00 51:00.099 – 00:51:02.599] You know, this is from The Grapevine 51.

51:03

[00 51:02.599 – 00:51:06.099] He said, "These people do not wanna do the things they do," he insisted.

51:08

[00 51:06.099 – 00:51:10.639] "They drink compulsively against their will." How powerful is that?

51:12

[00 51:10.639 – 00:51:12.519] "One of the early drunks whom Dr.

51:14

[00 51:12.519 – 00:51:19.919] Silkworth treated, a big, husky six-footer, dropped to his knees before the doctor, tears streaming down his face, begging for a drink.

51:22

[00 51:19.919 – 00:51:24.119] I said to myself then and there, this is not a vice or habit.

51:27

[00 51:24.119 – 00:51:25.399] This is a compulsion.

51:28

[00 51:25.399 – 00:51:27.259] This is a pathological craving.

51:30

[00 51:27.259 – 00:51:31.179] This is a disease." And of course, that was the April of, uh, '51.

51:35

[00 51:31.179 – 00:51:36.099] And one of my favorites, again, going into this, uh, uh, just amazing stuff.

51:40

[00 51:36.099 – 00:51:42.099] "No, Bill, you're not hallucinating." Remember, Bill had a white light and, uh, in his story.

51:46

[00 51:42.099 – 00:51:45.319] And, uh, uh, again, s- he told Dr.

51:49

[00 51:45.319 – 00:51:55.399] Silkworth, now following up on that, he said, "He knew," again, skeptical man of science though he was, "this was most kind and

51:57

[00 51:55.399 – 00:51:59.498] astute." If he had said hallucination, you know.

52:00

[00 51:59.498 – 00:52:02.599] He asked the doctor if he was hallucinating, you know.

52:03

[00 52:02.599 – 00:52:12.499] And of course, he didn't say that, "Yes, Bill, you're- you're- you're- you're, uh, uh, you know, having a hallucination." Bill writes in the Three Talks to Medical Societies that if Dr.

52:14

[00 52:12.499 – 00:52:16.979] Silkworth said, "Yeah, Bill, you- you are hallucinating," Bill would probably be dead.

52:19

[00 52:16.979 – 00:52:27.119] It also continued in another, uh, back on The Grapevine, uh, "It must be remembered that he went much further than merely encouraging Bill's faith

52:27

[00 52:27.119 – 00:52:28.459] and spiritual experience.

52:29

[00 52:28.459 – 00:52:37.159] He saw to it that Bill was permitted to come back into Towns Hospital to share his discovery with alcoholics." And that's never been done before.

52:37

[00 52:37.159 – 00:52:39.499] Again, talk about groundbreaking, you know.

52:40

[00 52:39.499 – 00:52:46.119] They do not let people that have just been released coming back in and interacting with other patients.

52:46

[00 52:46.119 – 00:52:48.279] But again, they did here.

52:48

[00 52:48.279 – 00:52:50.019] Silkworth kind of saw something.

52:50

[00 52:50.019 – 00:52:58.119] And of course, his most, uh, uh, uh, really kind of legendary thing was, uh, you know, had to do with Bill first meeting Dr.

52:59

[00 52:58.119 – 00:52:58.519] Bob.

52:59

[00 52:58.519 – 00:53:01.819] "Stop preaching to them" from AA Comes of Age.

53:02

[00 53:01.819 – 00:53:06.439] Um, you know, Bill went to Silkworth and said, you know, he's not having any successes.

53:08

[00 53:06.439 – 00:53:10.579] And basically, he says, "You got the cart before the horse.

53:12

[00 53:10.579 – 00:53:11.719] Stop preaching to them.

53:14

[00 53:11.719 – 00:53:17.139] Talk about the problem as I have done with you." And the first person that Bill tried that approach on was Dr.

53:21

[00 53:17.139 – 00:53:18.819] Bob when he went out to Akron.

53:24

[00 53:18.819 – 00:53:24.859] So again, that was where some of the amazing, uh, uh, uh, contributions, just a full, uh, of them.

53:30

[00 53:24.859 – 00:53:29.539] Again, you know, from the, uh, Silkworth we learn the grave nature of alcoholism.

53:35

[00 53:29.539 – 00:53:33.439] The body is quite as abnormal as the mind as it's put in the doctor's opinion.

53:41

[00 53:33.439 – 00:53:36.959] But prior to the Big Book, he actually wrote an article all about it.

53:46

[00 53:36.959 – 00:53:42.299] This is March 17th, 1937, called Alcoholism, a Manifestation of an Allergy.

53:50

[00 53:42.299 – 00:53:44.779] And of course, in this basically sums it up, right?

53:53

[00 53:44.779 – 00:53:46.859] Allergy, phenomenon of craving.

53:55

[00 53:46.859 – 00:53:53.699] Summed up, ingest any alcohol whatsoever triggers this allergy, unstoppable craving for more.

54:00

[00 53:53.699 – 00:54:03.999] Entering into the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, never to do it again, but they end up doing it again and again and again and again.

54:09

[00 54:03.999 – 00:54:07.479] Also talks about the obsessional known nature.

54:12

[00 54:07.479 – 00:54:10.879] It is one of the most subtle yet most powerful compulsions known.

54:16

[00 54:10.879 – 00:54:14.359] How to help the alcoholic expel his obsession is the problem.

54:20

[00 54:14.359 – 00:54:16.599] So he summed it up all right there.

54:23

[00 54:16.599 – 00:54:17.719] This is pre-Big Book.

54:25

[00 54:17.719 – 00:54:21.279] And this was in, uh, the medical record March 17th of '37.

54:29

[00 54:21.279 – 00:54:25.939] And about a month later, he printed the second one called Reclamation of the Alcoholic.

54:34

[00 54:25.939 – 00:54:33.499] And it's pretty much, you know, the approach and the interaction and, you know, he saw firsthand what Bill was doing with some of the, uh, uh, patients there.

54:44

[00 54:33.499 – 00:54:41.298] He also describes that unless this person can experience an entire psychic change, there is very little hope of his recovery.

54:51

[00 54:41.298 – 00:54:45.479] Psychic change, moral psychology, change in thinking.

54:54

[00 54:45.479 – 00:54:51.858] Something more than human power is needed to produce the essential psychic change beyond human aid.

55:00

[00 54:51.858 – 00:54:55.659] And of course, that falls under the, "No, Bill, you're not hallucinating.

55:04

[00 54:55.659 – 00:55:01.739] Whatever you have, you had better hang on to it." And, uh, again, just an incredible thing.

55:10

[00 55:01.739 – 00:55:03.509] Uh, some of the other thi-

55:12

[00 55:03.671 – 00:55:13.791] So again, as the book was, uh, being written, we're looking in the '39 timeframe, uh, they approached a, a couple of doctors at, uh, um, uh, Johns Hopkins,

55:22

[00 55:13.831 – 00:55:24.451] one of them by the name of Esther Loring Richards, um, kind of wrote a note back that said, "I think you should get an A Number One physician to write the introduction," and how appropriate

55:34

[00 55:24.451 – 00:55:34.831] because nine days later on July 27th, the left-hand letter, "To whom it may concern," this was referred to as, uh, the first letter in, uh, the doctor's

55:44

[00 55:34.831 – 00:55:35.241] opinion.

55:44

[00 55:35.241 – 00:55:43.291] But this one was actually given to Bill and Hank as they went around for, um, uh, uh, fundraising.

55:51

[00 55:43.291 – 00:55:46.450] Again, and it's, uh, the original, uh, format.

55:54

[00 55:46.450 – 00:55:49.160] Uh, "I have specialized in the treatment for many years.

55:57

[00 55:49.160 – 00:55:52.731] About four years ago, I attended a patient by the name of William G.

56:02

[00 55:52.731 – 00:55:55.151] Wilson." And of course, at the bottom it is signed.

56:06

[00 55:55.151 – 00:56:03.331] So he did sign that one, and the one on the right is actually believed to be the one that was mailed to the printer that was put into the book.

56:17

[00 56:03.331 – 00:56:13.351] And, uh, again, just, just an incredible, um, you know, just, uh, it just blows my mind that, that, uh, you know, being able to share these, these two with you.

56:27

[00 56:13.351 – 00:56:23.031] Uh, from here, um, more, more, uh, uh, kinda in-depth, um, we're looking in, uh, the 1940 timeframe, specifically April.

56:34

[00 56:23.031 – 00:56:29.711] Now, give you some context, the Alcoholic Foundation came out with the cleverly titled AA pamphlet.

56:39

[00 56:29.711 – 00:56:39.750] And of course, in this, uh, uh, pamphlet it was, um, uh, pretty much, uh, uh, copies of the, uh, Houston Press,

56:47

[00 56:39.751 – 00:56:44.191] uh, uh, six articles that were written by Cleveland transplant Larry Jule.

56:51

[00 56:44.191 – 00:56:46.591] Larry basically went from Cleveland to Houston.

56:54

[00 56:46.591 – 00:56:51.491] On the way down, he had a spiritual experience, and when he got there, he wrote six articles.

57:00

[00 56:51.491 – 00:56:59.511] And of course, they were such a, a, an, uh, uh, an amazing, uh, kinda cheerlead that they put him in the, uh, AA pamphlet.

57:08

[00 56:59.511 – 00:57:06.911] In fact, those are the six articles with the editorial, and, uh, pretty much sums up exactly what it is we do, uh, here.

57:17

[00 57:06.911 – 00:57:15.911] And of course, you know, what a better way to, uh, uh, bring this, uh, to light, kinda like the, the, the, the, the caboose we have none other than Dr.

57:27

[00 57:15.911 – 00:57:24.491] Silkworth's, uh, uh, 1939 article from the Journal of Lancet, New Approach to Psychotherapy in Chronic Alcoholism.

57:33

[00 57:24.491 – 00:57:30.691] So again, you know, here he is in, in our, uh, uh, uh, AA pamphlet as written.

57:39

[00 57:30.691 – 00:57:32.211] But these aren't just it.

57:41

[00 57:32.211 – 00:57:39.191] He had several others, uh, including July '39, Psychological Rehabilitation of Alcoholics, Medical Record.

57:46

[00 57:39.191 – 00:57:46.291] Highly Successful Approach to the Alcoholic Problem, that was in August of '41, also in the Medical Record.

57:52

[00 57:46.291 – 00:57:49.471] And then we were just talking about this earlier, you know, the grapevine.

57:57

[00 57:49.471 – 00:57:50.111] Dr.

57:57

[00 57:50.111 – 00:57:53.911] Silkworth's Rx or Prescription for Sobriety.

57:59

[00 57:53.911 – 00:57:58.120] Slips in Human Nature, that was, uh, January '47.

58:03

[00 57:58.120 – 00:58:08.151] Prevention of Alcoholism and a Challenge to the Alcoholic Clergy, found in, uh, um, what pretty much, you know, we would, would refer to as

58:11

[00 58:08.151 – 00:58:09.431] the, uh, the Blue Book.

58:13

[00 58:09.431 – 00:58:19.661] Um, but again, these are some, some articles, uh, that, uh, al- you know, Silkworth had written in this time, and of course, you know, some of them actually given to, uh, uh, Alcoholics

58:25

[00 58:19.661 – 00:58:20.951] Anonymous through the grapevine.

58:26

[00 58:20.951 – 00:58:23.091] But his interaction kept going.

58:28

[00 58:23.091 – 00:58:29.631] Again, you know, pretty much some of the, the, the most im- he was there from the beginning, you know, the start of it all.

58:37

[00 58:29.631 – 00:58:34.411] In fact, he was, um, part of the group that was in the first interaction with the Rockefellers.

58:43

[00 58:34.411 – 00:58:41.091] This goes all the way back to December of 1937 when they had met in Rockefeller Plaza at the boardroom.

58:50

[00 58:41.091 – 00:58:51.131] The four Rockefeller, uh, individuals, uh, representatives, Willard Richardson, Albert Lion Scott, Frank Gulford Amos, and of course, uh, the money, uh, Andrew Leroy

58:58

[00 58:51.131 – 00:58:51.491] Shipman.

58:59

[00 58:51.491 – 00:58:57.531] Uh, in the alcoholic corner, uh, you had, of course, you know, the alcoholics, Bill W, Dr.

59:05

[00 58:57.531 – 00:59:02.761] Bob, uh, Hank Parkers, John Fitzmajo, Paul Stanley, who actually accompanied Dr.

59:09

[00 59:02.761 – 00:59:07.451] Bob from Akron, and of course some newer members, Joe Taylor and Ned Poynter.

59:14

[00 59:07.451 – 00:59:11.620] And then you had two non-alcoholics in the non-alcoholic corner, and they were none other than Dr.

59:20

[00 59:11.620 – 00:59:12.131] Leonard B.

59:21

[00 59:12.131 – 00:59:13.191] Strong and Dr.

59:22

[00 59:13.191 – 00:59:16.471] William Duncan Silkworth and his involvement there.

59:25

[00 59:16.471 – 00:59:24.970] Uh, again, you know, this was, uh, from the beginning in, you know, '37, '38, the book started to be written, and, uh, from so on and so forth.

59:35

[00 59:24.970 – 00:59:27.431] There's another neat little, uh, uh, thing.

59:37

[00 59:27.431 – 00:59:34.771] This was, uh, the next Rockefeller function for fundraising, uh, February 8th of 1940 at the famous Union Club.

59:43

[00 59:34.771 – 00:59:36.931] And again, these are the original pics.

59:46

[00 59:36.931 – 00:59:43.331] And, um, you know, what I found to be most, uh, uh, uh, incredible were the stamps are actually green.

59:53

[00 59:43.331 – 00:59:50.791] Uh, uh, a- again, you know, New York, New York, January 25th, stamped 1:30 PM, 1940, and the stamps are green.

60:00

[00 59:50.791 – 00:59:57.471] And when you look down at, at the invitation itself, and we'll blow that up because it's even cooler, this, uh, again, "Mr.

60:07

[00 59:57.471 – 00:59:57.991] John D.

60:08

[00 59:57.991 – 01:00:04.371] Rockefeller requests the pleasure of your company at dinner on Thursday, the 8th of February at 7:00.

60:14

[01 00:04.371 – 01:00:06.811] The Union Club, Park Avenue and 69th Street.

60:17

[01 00:06.811 – 01:00:06.971] Mr.

60:18

[01 00:06.971 – 01:00:07.671] William G.

60:19

[01 00:07.671 – 01:00:10.551] Wilson, author of The Alcoholics Anonymous, and Dr.

60:22

[01 00:10.551 – 01:00:19.611] Harry Emerson Fosdick will speak on an effective control of alcoholism." And again, this went out to everybody, but that's not what's neat.

60:29

[01 00:19.611 – 01:00:27.981] What's neat is when you really think of, uh, the Rockefeller, their involvement and how much time, and especially how much energy, uh, they, they put into this.

60:39

[01 00:27.981 – 01:00:34.991] Every single one of these invi- invitations I've seen either online or out in the world, it's always just been black letters.

60:47

[01 00:34.991 – 01:00:45.331] But again, looking at this particular one, uh, kinda, you know, the point of origin, when you actually look at the letters, uh, there's a unique, uh, feature, and I'm just gonna blow up Alcoholics

60:58

[01 00:45.331 – 01:00:45.831] Anonymous.

60:59

[01 00:45.831 – 01:00:50.631] It's called drafting lines, microscopic parallel lines that fill in the letters.

61:03

[01 00:50.631 – 01:00:58.371] So again, this is something that the Rockefellers, you know, did that is just one of those little, uh, um, you know, steps.

61:11

[01 00:58.371 – 01:01:01.211] But again, you know, that's, you know, I, I...

61:15

[01 01:01.211 – 01:01:03.171] That just blew me away when I saw that.

61:18

[01 01:03.171 – 01:01:10.831] And, and again, you know, looking at Alcoholics Anonymous with those tiny little lines, and then going back to and looking at that, that's a small...

61:27

[01 01:10.831 – 01:01:13.851] Anyway, that's, that takes a lot of effort.

61:30

[01 01:13.851 – 01:01:14.911] So pretty cool.

61:31

[01 01:14.911 – 01:01:16.131] Now, again, Dr.

61:32

[01 01:16.131 – 01:01:18.691] Silkworth around this time expands.

61:34

[01 01:18.691 – 01:01:21.711] Uh, the work at Knickerbocker pretty much, uh, begins.

61:38

[01 01:21.711 – 01:01:32.301] What is described as two New York alcoholics approaching, uh, the president of Knickerbocker Hospital, Al Monroe, with hope of starting an AA-based

61:45

[01 01:32.301 – 01:01:39.431] approach using the successful, uh, uh, uh, the successes of Cleveland's Reverend Armin A.

61:50

[01 01:39.431 – 01:01:44.411] Ketter of Deaconess Hospital, and of course, especially none other than Sister Mary Ignatia from St.

61:56

[01 01:44.411 – 01:01:45.471] Thomas Hospital.

61:57

[01 01:45.471 – 01:01:54.831] They kind of pitch, uh, uh, you know, a, uh, plan to Knickerbocker, and, uh, again, it starts to, uh, uh, get some traction.

62:05

[01 01:54.831 – 01:01:56.381] Now, long story short-

62:07

[01 01:56.588 – 01:02:01.068] -cker said, "We will give it a try," but they had two requirements.

62:11

[01 02:01.068 – 01:02:08.048] One, a contract between AA and hospital about guaranteed payment for patients.

62:16

[01 02:08.048 – 01:02:08.748] Boy, did...

62:17

[01 02:08.748 – 01:02:10.648] Yeah.

62:17

[01 02:10.648 – 01:02:11.978] Uh, so, so that was one.

62:20

[01 02:11.978 – 01:02:21.248] Number two was a new organization, Rehabilitation of Alcoholics in New York Inc., to separate the AA ward from AA itself.

62:27

[01 02:21.248 – 01:02:30.928] And of course, technically there was a third requirement that a local experienced physician to head and run that institution there in Knickerbocker.

62:35

[01 02:30.928 – 01:02:41.008] Again, described a separate private unit on the third floor of the hospital called the Alcoholic Pavilion, was opened at Knickerbocker solely for the treatment of alcoholics,

62:44

[01 02:41.008 – 01:02:44.947] and of course, in striking similarity to the Towns Ward.

62:48

[01 02:44.947 – 01:02:48.188] And, uh, I just, you know, who could they put in charge of that?

62:53

[01 02:48.188 – 01:02:58.448] And when we look at Knickerbocker, originally it was named the John, uh, Hood Wright Memorial Hospital, and seeing the sign entrance there, the Mary Robinson Wright Memorial Hospital.

63:02

[01 02:58.448 – 01:03:02.427] Um, but if you basically are at that angle and you go to the...

63:07

[01 03:02.427 – 01:03:07.308] That's the side entrance, but if you travel down the street, again, you are now at the front door.

63:14

[01 03:07.308 – 01:03:10.308] And, uh, so there are several, um, uh, interesting...

63:17

[01 03:10.308 – 01:03:12.178] Again, October 20th, Dr.

63:19

[01 03:12.178 – 01:03:18.488] Silkworth took the second job at Knickerbocker Hospital, of which was the start of the first official AA ward.

63:25

[01 03:18.488 – 01:03:25.488] A hesitant hospital was apprehensive in the beginning, but if it worked out, again, just think.

63:31

[01 03:25.488 – 01:03:35.878] He worked with both facilities until his death in 1951, and, uh, a lot of, uh, incredible, uh, things, uh, happened, uh, at this, uh, particular

63:40

[01 03:35.878 – 01:03:36.288] hospital.

63:40

[01 03:36.288 – 01:03:46.498] In fact, most- a lot of it was mentioned here at Jack Alexander's second article that he wrote for the Saturday Evening Post titled The Drunkard's Best Friend.

63:50

[01 03:46.498 – 01:03:56.508] The first one was all the way back in 1941, but this one, again, The Drunkard's Best Friend, uh, talks about the centers around the AA ward at Knickerbocker

63:59

[01 03:56.508 – 01:03:57.208] Hospital.

64:00

[01 03:57.208 – 01:04:07.628] And again, you know, you flip into it, and one of the pictures that was used was something called Duffy's Tavern, and the caption was, "Is part of the drying out ward at Manhattan's Knickerbocker

64:12

[01 04:07.628 – 01:04:17.668] Hospital, where alcoholics go through a five-day rebuilding course that includes medical care and a high vitamin diet." That five-day is also similar

64:20

[01 04:17.668 – 01:04:18.948] to, uh, what, uh, St.

64:22

[01 04:18.948 – 01:04:22.688] Thomas and Sister Inesia built their platform on.

64:25

[01 04:22.688 – 01:04:24.028] It's just an interesting thing.

64:27

[01 04:24.028 – 01:04:30.928] There was a men's ward, there was a women's ward, and there was a, kind of a, a get-together area called Duffy's Tavern.

64:34

[01 04:30.928 – 01:04:36.328] And in fact, this was, uh, the original, um, um, kind of description of Duffy's Tavern.

64:40

[01 04:36.328 – 01:04:37.608] This is a long document.

64:42

[01 04:37.608 – 01:04:39.248] We won't really read all this.

64:44

[01 04:39.248 – 01:04:49.357] Um, but again, uh, this is, uh, just, uh, um, described the operation for getting a drunk back on his feet and, of course, active in AA practical

64:54

[01 04:49.357 – 01:04:55.248] program of action, especially turning around and, you know, giving, um, uh, it back to somebody in need.

65:00

[01 04:55.248 – 01:04:58.108] Uh, but again, Duffy's Tavern and Knickerbocker Hospital.

65:03

[01 04:58.108 – 01:04:58.808] Pretty, pretty...

65:04

[01 04:58.808 – 01:05:01.928] A third floor, and of course, has become famous.

65:07

[01 05:01.928 – 01:05:09.168] There's another neat article from the Saturday Evening Post also having to do with, uh, Knickerbocker Hospital and, and the work of Silkworth.

65:15

[01 05:09.168 – 01:05:18.928] This one is, "I am a nurse in an alcoholic ward." And of course, um, uh, described that, uh, experiences from a nurse stationed at Knickerbocker Hospital.

65:24

[01 05:18.928 – 01:05:23.398] Uh, at this point, uh, again, it was, uh, uh, just, uh, uh, Dr.

65:29

[01 05:23.398 – 01:05:25.068] Paxon Myers.

65:30

[01 05:25.068 – 01:05:35.148] See, Silkworth had passed away already, but these articles, you know, the second, uh, was, uh, uh, Dr., uh, Texon, and of course Teresa Rowan

65:39

[01 05:35.148 – 01:05:43.128] was the nurse, and they wrote the article, "I'm a nurse in an alcoholic ward." And, uh, pretty, pretty amazing article centers around Dr.

65:47

[01 05:43.128 – 01:05:44.268] Silkworth's ward.

65:48

[01 05:44.268 – 01:05:49.168] Uh, Teresa Rowan, uh, also mentions, uh, the women's AA ward there.

65:52

[01 05:49.168 – 01:05:52.128] Basically described as following the steps of Dr.

65:55

[01 05:52.128 – 01:06:01.668] Silkworth, a one-time alcoholic, has nursed 5,000 drunks through the fading hours of their most spectacular sprees.

66:01

[01 06:01.668 – 01:06:05.348] Uh, a- again, what an amazing indivi- uh, individual.

66:04

[01 06:05.348 – 01:06:11.648] Seen there given some of that vitamin, uh, solution, and of course, uh, uh, with the, the women's ward.

66:11

[01 06:11.648 – 01:06:18.348] And then another photograph of, uh, uh, the, uh, uh, Duffy's Tavern and, um, you know, some gentlemen sitting around.

66:18

[01 06:18.348 – 01:06:25.488] Uh, the caption read, "Encouraged in their fight to overcome alcoholism, patients in the AA ward find something to laugh at.

66:25

[01 06:25.488 – 01:06:33.128] The bottles hold ginger ale." And if you look very closely, uh, you can actually see, uh, uh, ginger ale, uh, on the bottles.

66:33

[01 06:33.128 – 01:06:33.808] It's pretty cool.

66:35

[01 06:33.808 – 01:06:41.568] But again, this, this nurse, Teddy Rowan, Teresa Rowan, uh, came through, uh, a actual little plug for Atlanta here.

66:41

[01 06:41.568 – 01:06:47.708] Uh, 10 minutes after, uh, the, the article came out, she swung through and gave a talk here in Atlanta.

66:48

[01 06:47.708 – 01:06:57.818] Again, Teresa Rowan, who had nursed more than 5,000 alcoholics, uh, back to health, will describe her work at an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous at 8:00 PM Friday,

66:57

[01 06:57.818 – 01:07:02.728] the AA club rooms of the 522nd West Peachtree Street clubhouse.

67:01

[01 07:02.728 – 01:07:05.148] Again, you know, the public is invited.

67:04

[01 07:05.148 – 01:07:08.108] And, uh, that was, uh, uh, Teresa, uh, coming through.

67:07

[01 07:08.108 – 01:07:11.708] She also wrote an article in Georgia Nursing in 1952.

67:11

[01 07:11.708 – 01:07:14.468] Again, thank you, uh, for all, for all of this stuff.

67:15

[01 07:14.468 – 01:07:17.428] Uh, the beginning paragraph says it all.

67:17

[01 07:17.428 – 01:07:25.918] "Although there may be some question as to whether alcoholism should be classed as an ailment, a sickness, a disease, or as Dr.

67:25

[01 07:25.918 – 01:07:26.488] L.A.

67:26

[01 07:26.488 – 01:07:33.048] Osborne recently defined it in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a dis-ease.

67:31

[01 07:33.048 – 01:07:43.068] It is pretty generally agreed that the active compulsive alcoholic is a very sick person and deserve the medical care he is beginning to receive in the alcoholic

67:41

[01 07:43.068 – 01:07:49.168] wards or clinics of more and more hospitals." So again, the good work is spreading.

67:46

[01 07:49.168 – 01:07:57.528] Uh, another little interesting thing, this actually came from Dave, uh, uh, Bancroft, who, uh, of course, uh, is in, uh, Montreal.

67:53

[01 07:57.528 – 01:07:59.458] What an amazing story that is.

67:56

[01 07:59.458 – 01:08:03.088] But in there, he actually had a piece of paper that was called Dr.

68:01

[01 08:03.088 – 01:08:13.098] Silkworth's Treatment, and it basically summed it up, put the whole nine, uh, uh, five-day and, uh, uh, uh, again, uh, with, uh, uh, AA sponsors,

68:10

[01 08:13.098 – 01:08:17.988] uh, and working with their, their guys and, uh, especially like Duffy's Tavern.

68:14

[01 08:17.988 – 01:08:28.028] Uh, again, you know, it's, uh, it's pretty technical, um, but again, when you really kind of boil it down, um, this is the only mention of the use belladonna,

68:24

[01 08:28.028 – 01:08:29.828] and it's used as an anti-nausea.

68:27

[01 08:29.828 – 01:08:34.948] If you look under there, it's, again, you can see, uh, there were, uh, uh, vomiting, diarrhea, sleep.

68:33

[01 08:34.948 – 01:08:42.288] But under vomiting, it w- says that there was, uh, a l- you know, belladonna in that, and that's all where it's, uh, mentioned.

68:41

[01 08:42.288 – 01:08:44.488] And, uh, pretty, pretty fascinating on that.

68:44

[01 08:44.488 – 01:08:48.187] But again, it gives you an idea of what took place on that day.

68:49

[01 08:48.187 – 01:08:48.978] And, uh-

68:50

[01 08:49.566 – 01:08:51.186] This is another little interesting thing.

68:52

[01 08:51.186 – 01:08:55.726] Uh, this was, uh, the first annual dinner of the AA groups of New Jersey.

68:57

[01 08:55.726 – 01:09:02.486] Uh, this was October 16th of 1947, and boy, what a lineup of speakers.

69:02

[01 09:02.486 – 01:09:07.396] Uh, you have the guests were, um, uh, uh, Bill W., co-founder of AA, Dr.

69:07

[01 09:07.396 – 01:09:10.466] William Duncan Silkworth, Knickerbocker and Towns Hospital.

69:10

[01 09:10.466 – 01:09:20.466] Willard Samuel Richardson of, uh, the, uh, Alcoholics Foundation, Thomas Kerr from the Alcoholics Foundation, Horace Crystal, also from the Alcoholics Foundation,

69:17

[01 09:20.466 – 01:09:26.786] Al- Trusties, and of course, none other than Margaret Bobby Berger, the General Secretary Number 2.

69:23

[01 09:26.786 – 01:09:31.786] Uh, and uh, um, pretty just in- incredible lineup, uh, there.

69:27

[01 09:31.786 – 01:09:33.896] So he actually did do some talks.

69:29

[01 09:33.896 – 01:09:37.026] In fact, uh, this is another interesting thing.

69:32

[01 09:37.026 – 01:09:43.026] Um, again, looking at the perspective, this came from, uh, Dale Mitchell's book, uh, '84 through '85.

69:38

[01 09:43.026 – 01:09:51.236] Bill Wilson spoke of Antoinette's distance from Alcoholics Anonymous and her personality difference from the good doctor.

69:44

[01 09:51.236 – 01:09:55.706] It was rare that Antoinette would accompany the doctor to an AA event.

69:49

[01 09:55.706 – 01:10:03.046] In December of '49, Lois Wilson sent a handwritten invitation to the Silkworths for the annual Wilson New Year's Eve party.

69:56

[01 10:03.046 – 01:10:11.186] Lois had even drawn a cartoon map with the directions to their home at Stony Brook for Antoinette, and of course, the result, Dr.

70:04

[01 10:11.186 – 01:10:13.036] Silkworth attended alone.

70:05

[01 10:13.036 – 01:10:20.066] But a- again, looking at the, uh, the am- the amazing, you know, just little note and the affection.

70:12

[01 10:20.066 – 01:10:23.006] In fact, she wrote a note that says, "Merry Christmas to you both, Dr.

70:17

[01 10:23.006 – 01:10:23.546] and Mrs.

70:18

[01 10:23.546 – 01:10:24.165] Silkworth.

70:19

[01 10:24.165 – 01:10:29.866] It would be fun to see you up here when you, we hold our open house at New Year's Eve.

70:25

[01 10:29.866 – 01:10:37.166] We are having it two days, the afternoon and evening of December 31st and the same on December 1st.

70:32

[01 10:37.166 – 01:10:39.766] W- Drive up if you can.

70:34

[01 10:39.766 – 01:10:42.886] Lois." And of course, uh, uh, Dr.

70:37

[01 10:42.886 – 01:10:46.526] Silkworth was, you know, M- uh, Marie Antoinette did not come.

70:41

[01 10:46.526 – 01:10:55.636] But again, when you kind of put, you know, an, a- an idea on, you know, Silkworth and his mind, you know, this was, uh, one of, uh, Silkworth, uh, s- uh, speeches.

70:52

[01 10:55.636 – 01:10:58.775] In fact, he writes, you know, it's a little later on, '49, '50.

70:57

[01 10:58.775 – 01:11:07.686] "15 years ago," again, the timestamp, "15 years ago, when faced with an alcoholic problem, I can freely admit it was with misgivings and dismay.

71:05

[01 11:07.686 – 01:11:15.806] As Bill has often told, I sorrowfully advised Lois the medical profession could offer no hope for him." Wow.

71:11

[01 11:15.806 – 01:11:16.315] First three.

71:12

[01 11:16.315 – 01:11:19.035] "He was apparently doomed.

71:14

[01 11:19.035 – 01:11:29.285] The average cure, as we spoke of it 20 years or more ago, was, according to the eminent psychiatrist Foster Kennedy, only 2% successful."

71:21

[01 11:29.286 – 01:11:30.026] What are the odds?

71:23

[01 11:30.026 – 01:11:30.386] Wow.

71:24

[01 11:30.386 – 01:11:36.586] "All, uh, uh, alcoholic psychosis was common and death rate was high.

71:28

[01 11:36.586 – 01:11:38.826] Here would be a typical picture.

71:30

[01 11:38.826 – 01:11:42.886] Two people, man and wife, would call on me looking for help.

71:35

[01 11:42.886 – 01:11:45.946] He was an alcoholic about to lose his business and home.

71:38

[01 11:45.946 – 01:11:55.686] She would tell me what a fine man he was, which was true, how happy they could be, and with tears in her eyes, she would ask me to help him.

71:49

[01 11:55.686 – 01:11:58.026] She would pray for me day and night.

71:52

[01 11:58.026 – 01:12:03.306] Friends, it was terrible to face that 98% failure.

71:55

[01 12:03.306 – 01:12:13.406] As you sit here tonight, happy and secure in the power and grace of Alcoholics Anonymous, never for a moment I beg of you deviate from your faith and belief in its divine guidance."

72:06

[01 12:13.406 – 01:12:14.926] Boy, there's that spirituality again.

72:08

[01 12:14.926 – 01:12:22.846] "As always, following in the wake of n- uh, any great movement, false prophets have arisen to distract and confuse you.

72:16

[01 12:22.846 – 01:12:30.216] You are even told that in five years, you may be able, under medical guidance, to drink again in moderation." Yeah, that doesn't work.

72:24

[01 12:30.216 – 01:12:37.006] "Or if you take some awful drug, you will not be able to drink again at all.

72:30

[01 12:37.006 – 01:12:37.726] Wonderful.

72:30

[01 12:37.726 – 01:12:38.786] Simply wonderful.

72:31

[01 12:38.786 – 01:12:44.326] You are also told that you are psychological misfits, underdeveloped.

72:35

[01 12:44.326 – 01:12:54.656] In fact, all of you alcoholics sitting in this room tonight should, according to this concept, be at once surrounded and put away some place for safekeeping,

72:44

[01 12:54.656 – 01:13:00.446] and I would not be surprised if that's what they also think of me." So yeah, he got that one right.

72:51

[01 13:00.446 – 01:13:04.026] "Well, folks, I couldn't be in better company.

72:54

[01 13:04.026 – 01:13:13.586] The proponents of these theories seems to be hostile to each other, but agree that those who take more moderate views are to be held in gentle contempt.

73:04

[01 13:13.586 – 01:13:20.626] God save us all." And that was just one of the, the, the speeches that, uh, uh, Silkworth, uh, uh, had for...

73:12

[01 13:20.626 – 01:13:25.306] Again, you know, it's even, you know, it's, it, it, it, it's all there.

73:16

[01 13:25.306 – 01:13:27.766] Uh, this is just an interesting thing.

73:19

[01 13:27.766 – 01:13:30.226] Again, Silkworth was in his later years.

73:22

[01 13:30.226 – 01:13:32.406] This is a, uh, uh, a gratitude.

73:24

[01 13:32.406 – 01:13:35.466] This was a plan to secure his, uh, future.

73:28

[01 13:35.466 – 01:13:38.466] Uh, again, settle income for the remaining years.

73:31

[01 13:38.466 – 01:13:44.126] Um, not gonna read all of that, but there were four points also why he was important.

73:37

[01 13:44.126 – 01:13:47.326] He said he made AA possible in the first place.

73:40

[01 13:47.326 – 01:13:49.586] There's some other attributes.

73:42

[01 13:49.586 – 01:13:54.986] He contributed one of the principal concepts on AA success was founded.

73:46

[01 13:54.986 – 01:13:57.166] Again, the alcoholism as an illness.

73:48

[01 13:57.166 – 01:14:01.446] Three, made two vital contributions to the book Alcoholics Anonymous.

73:52

[01 14:01.446 – 01:14:07.326] Um, four, is fast becoming a world authority on alcoholism.

73:56

[01 14:07.326 – 01:14:11.476] We of AA believe him to be a medical saint if there ever was one.

74:01

[01 14:11.476 – 01:14:17.006] Again, those are just some, some, some more, and he starts to outline the plan.

74:06

[01 14:17.006 – 01:14:26.066] Again, uh, uh, pl- uh, part one, again, summed up that they get a 5% royalty on book Alcoholics Anonymous for their lifetime.

74:14

[01 14:26.066 – 01:14:26.806] Interesting.

74:14

[01 14:26.806 – 01:14:31.406] Part two, Johnny Supple, Beech Hill Farms.

74:17

[01 14:31.406 – 01:14:34.086] Again, there's a portrait of, uh, uh, Johnny Supple.

74:20

[01 14:34.086 – 01:14:42.106] Um, and of course, he had a, a, kind of like a, a, a farm similar to, I would say, um, High Watch Farm.

74:29

[01 14:42.106 – 01:14:48.946] But again, um, give that to, uh, uh, would later be renamed the Silkworth Foundation.

74:34

[01 14:48.946 – 01:14:53.466] Silkworth would lend his name and revamp the farm, bringing in a little more income.

74:39

[01 14:53.466 – 01:14:57.786] Just, uh, need a starting dollar amount to kick it off.

74:43

[01 14:57.786 – 01:15:02.166] So again, there was a plan to really kind of help, uh, uh, uh, Dr.

74:48

[01 15:02.166 – 01:15:03.886] Silkworth in his later years.

74:50

[01 15:03.886 – 01:15:06.846] Um, just, um, a, an, an incredible thing.

74:53

[01 15:06.846 – 01:15:16.826] And of course, you know, in their later years, you know, there's, uh, one, uh, you know, photograph of, uh, Silkworth and, uh, his wife and of course little Scotty dog there.

75:04

[01 15:16.826 – 01:15:19.306] But their house, that was, uh, pretty, pretty amazing.

75:07

[01 15:19.306 – 01:15:24.846] Uh, uh, uh, again, and from the backside, it's almost like it was, uh, on a, on a hill.

75:14

[01 15:24.846 – 01:15:26.706] But again, Bill comes back in.

75:16

[01 15:26.706 – 01:15:36.846] You know, "We of AA believe him to be a medical saint if there ever is one." And of course, uh, you know, securing, um, uh, you know, trying to secure his

75:27

[01 15:36.846 – 01:15:37.306] future.

75:28

[01 15:37.306 – 01:15:42.376] Another little note, this was from, uh, uh, uh, Christmas time, December 25th.

75:32

[01 15:42.558 – 01:15:43.118] Of '49.

75:33

[01 15:43.118 – 01:15:48.218] "Dear Doctor, as no other time does, Christmas reminds us of our friends.

75:38

[01 15:48.218 – 01:15:51.278] None can come more quickly to recollection than you and your good wife.

75:43

[01 15:51.278 – 01:15:58.958] Surely great things have happened since that day 15 years ago when you said, 'No, you're not hallucinating.' There it is again.

75:50

[01 15:58.958 – 01:16:01.338] You had better hold on to what you have.

75:53

[01 16:01.338 – 01:16:06.518] That saved my life, and this is a letter of appreciation from Lois and me.

75:59

[01 16:06.518 – 01:16:09.818] What you have since meant to so many, no one can measure.

76:03

[01 16:09.818 – 01:16:14.238] You are among the first of those with whom AA could never have been.

76:08

[01 16:14.238 – 01:16:19.178] Lois joins me in eternal gratitude, Bill." What an incredible thing.

76:12

[01 16:19.178 – 01:16:25.878] And of course, uh, another little, uh, thing that he did later on, uh, Easy Does It: The Story of Mac.

76:19

[01 16:25.878 – 01:16:33.858] In fact, what's really interesting, la- uh, you know, pretty much, um, uh, written by Silkworth under the pseudonym Hugh Riley.

76:26

[01 16:33.858 – 01:16:41.638] Um, and, uh, uh, uh, again, just a, uh, an incredible kind of, you know, uh, 100%.

76:32

[01 16:41.638 – 01:16:48.598] But what's really cool is the title, For The Millions Who As Yet Do Not Know.

76:37

[01 16:48.598 – 01:16:52.978] And for the longest time, that had sat, you know, kind of, uh, where have I seen that before?

76:44

[01 16:52.978 – 01:16:54.318] And all of a sudden it hit me.

76:47

[01 16:54.318 – 01:16:59.458] Back when, uh, uh, 1952, they used it all over the place.

76:51

[01 16:59.458 – 01:17:01.898] This was one of the first places I was able to find it.

76:56

[01 17:01.898 – 01:17:07.348] And of course, this was, uh, just a pamphlet after the '51 service, uh, uh, conference.

77:01

[01 17:07.348 – 01:17:09.838] Structures and Services in AA.

77:03

[01 17:09.838 – 01:17:14.118] And of course, it's buried right there, and if you look very carefully, it was right there.

77:09

[01 17:14.118 – 01:17:23.798] "Services for members and for the million alcoholics who still don't know." And it was something that he, he, that was used, uh, uh, again and again and again.

77:19

[01 17:23.798 – 01:17:31.078] Of course, you know, the story of Mac, uh, uh, title of that, Easy Does It: The Story of Mac by Hugh Riley, AKA Dr.

77:27

77:29

[01 17:32.358 – 01:17:33.578] So how cool is that?

77:31

[01 17:33.578 – 01:17:35.918] Again, uh, just an interesting thing.

77:33

[01 17:35.918 – 01:17:39.378] But when you actually read this book, there's several, uh, uh, examples.

77:37

[01 17:39.378 – 01:17:43.958] This is one of my favorites on page 83 where he talks about, you know, an alcoholic.

77:43

[01 17:43.958 – 01:17:45.498] Again, one of the characters, Padre.

77:45

[01 17:45.498 – 01:17:54.298] "The Padre stopped his pace impatiently, he explained, 'But alcoholism is more than just the result of a physical allergy like hay fever.

77:53

[01 17:54.298 – 01:18:04.358] Along with that, there is an obsession, a mental quirk that makes him want to drink so badly that he will make anything and anything an excuse

78:02

[01 18:04.358 – 01:18:07.008] for doing so.'" Boy, he doesn't have our number.

78:06

[01 18:07.008 – 01:18:08.008] Just saying.

78:07

[01 18:08.008 – 01:18:18.118] Again, you know, when it comes down to it, that strange obsession that Bill wrote, uh, how to help the alcoholic expel the obsession is the problem,

78:16

[01 18:18.118 – 01:18:23.978] and I can't think of, you know, uh, but basically, he said that to everyone he encountered.

78:22

[01 18:23.978 – 01:18:25.518] And he did.

78:23

[01 18:25.518 – 01:18:30.018] You know, again, everything we've covered tonight is reflective in some of the letters of gratitude.

78:29

[01 18:30.018 – 01:18:32.018] This one came from 1945.

78:31

[01 18:32.018 – 01:18:35.358] Again, summed up, "My dear doctor, I am happy man.

78:34

[01 18:35.358 – 01:18:36.998] I am a healthy one too.

78:37

[01 18:36.998 – 01:18:39.498] I can never express my gratitude enough to you.

78:40

[01 18:39.498 – 01:18:42.678] AA is the most amazing thing I have ever encountered.

78:43

[01 18:42.678 – 01:18:46.258] I am studying constantly and working in it daily.

78:47

[01 18:46.258 – 01:18:51.238] I am a member of the Peaksville group on Thursday and the White Plains group on Wednesday.

78:53

[01 18:51.238 – 01:19:01.278] And of course, I am a delegation of the Wallkill State Prison." And of course, the prison, uh, in, uh, Wallkill is also one of the early prisons.

79:02

[01 19:01.278 – 01:19:03.578] So again, talk about carrying the message.

79:05

[01 19:03.578 – 01:19:04.478] That was '45.

79:06

[01 19:04.478 – 01:19:07.678] Here's another one, '46, um, summed up.

79:09

[01 19:07.678 – 01:19:17.698] "I cannot resist writing you a letter of thanks for your expert, kindly, and sympathetic treatment of me when I was in the AA ward of Knickerbocker Hospital last

79:19

[01 19:17.698 – 01:19:17.878] week.

79:19

[01 19:17.878 – 01:19:19.798] Your talks with me have given me hope again.

79:23

[01 19:19.798 – 01:19:28.958] I am in constant touch with an AA man in a nearby city, my sponsor, and intend to keep in contact with the New York headquarters by correspondence.

79:32

[01 19:28.958 – 01:19:34.138] I cannot thank you enough for your sympathetic approach to me.

79:36

[01 19:34.138 – 01:19:39.398] I wish more of my type could see you." Again, what an amazing thing.

79:41

[01 19:39.398 – 01:19:41.997] 1949, how cool is this?

79:43

[01 19:41.997 – 01:19:42.508] "Dear Dr.

79:44

[01 19:42.508 – 01:19:45.458] Silkworth, today I start my second year of living.

79:47

[01 19:45.458 – 01:19:48.858] Thanks to you, to my wife, to AA, and to Knickerbocker.

79:51

[01 19:48.858 – 01:19:58.978] The parting word with which you sent me on my way a year ago have literally been forgotten so far as quoting them,

79:59

[01 19:58.978 – 01:20:09.198] but the spirit with which you spoke will forever be remembered, and I think that the way you said whatever you said was

80:07

[01 20:09.198 – 01:20:11.638] the true turning point.

80:08

[01 20:11.638 – 01:20:14.578] I am eternally grateful to you, sir." How cool.

80:12

[01 20:14.578 – 01:20:16.578] Uh, again, just an amazing thing.

80:14

[01 20:16.578 – 01:20:21.508] Even Grace Orzler wrote a, a, you know, uh, Silkworth a, a, a letter.

80:19

[01 20:21.508 – 01:20:23.298] Silkworth did a little speaking engagement.

80:21

[01 20:23.298 – 01:20:33.598] She basically writes, uh, "The news and letters I get about your talk, the women were really caught right up, uh, as I know they would.

80:30

[01 20:33.598 – 01:20:36.438] Uh, I couldn't cancel and disappoint them.

80:33

[01 20:36.438 – 01:20:41.378] There are folks so often of wish that they could hear and know you.

80:38

[01 20:41.378 – 01:20:45.918] The ones who missed it are cradled with the sense of loss.

80:42

[01 20:45.918 – 01:20:54.018] You were dear and kind and fond to give the time and effort, and please know I deeply appreciate it.

80:49

[01 20:54.018 – 01:20:57.038] All the days, um, uh, all days is passed with me.

80:53

[01 20:57.038 – 01:21:05.118] They are holding me for a persistent cough and because I seem litter- uh, uh, seem literally to sleep the clock around.

81:00

[01 21:05.118 – 01:21:14.338] I guess I'm deeply tired and must cut out much of activity and slow way down, but I'll be home Wednesday or so with lots of revolution, uh, resolutions.

81:10

[01 21:14.338 – 01:21:18.638] Fulton loved his talk with you too and told me all about you.

81:15

[01 21:18.638 – 01:21:24.618] Gracefully and most affectionately, Grace Orzler." And of course, yes, Fulton Orzler also wrote a letter.

81:20

[01 21:24.618 – 01:21:24.728] "Dr.

81:21

[01 21:24.728 – 01:21:30.598] William Duncan Silkworth, I promised you that I would read this script of your speech and edit it.

81:27

[01 21:30.598 – 01:21:34.678] I have read it beyond, uh, one or two touches of the pen.

81:32

[01 21:34.678 – 01:21:41.358] I have not edit it because I think I would defeat your purpose were I to do so.

81:38

[01 21:41.358 – 01:21:46.658] This paper reads like you talk, and that is the way it should be presented.

81:43

[01 21:46.658 – 01:21:49.758] Fairly rings with your broad brand of common sense.

81:47

[01 21:49.758 – 01:21:51.918] I am sure it will do a great deal of good.

81:51

[01 21:51.918 – 01:21:55.608] More power to your brain and to your voice, and even more to your heart.

81:56

[01 21:55.608 – 01:22:04.898] Yours admiring friend, Fulton Orzler." And of course, talking about another, uh, uh, one of the last, uh, uh, like, special thanks.

82:03

[01 22:04.898 – 01:22:07.798] This one is from a good distance away.

82:06

[01 22:07.798 – 01:22:09.338] This one is in Kashmir.

82:08

[01 22:09.338 – 01:22:17.878] And, uh, this was, uh, May 30th, but, "Greetings from the Shangri-La in the faraway Kashmir, nestling in the Himalayan roof of the globe.

82:17

[01 22:17.878 – 01:22:26.098] Uh, again, this near utopia is not eye-bothered by alcoholism, but this I hope to be able to report to your committee verbally.

82:24

[01 22:26.098 – 01:22:27.278] Kindest regards from Dr.

82:26

[01 22:27.278 – 01:22:34.278] Henry Raphael Gold." So again, you know, this was, um, uh, just, uh, uh, uh, Kashmir over in India.

82:33

[01 22:34.278 – 01:22:35.028] And, uh, uh-

82:34

[01 22:35.856 – 01:22:40.296] Just, uh, yeah, I'm getting close to, to the time.

82:38

[01 22:40.296 – 01:22:42.536] We're, we're, we're, we're almost done.

82:40

[01 22:42.536 – 01:22:46.176] But, uh, again, you know, this was, uh, just an interesting thing.

82:44

[01 22:46.176 – 01:22:56.516] This was, uh, the, the Knickerbocker Holiday Program in appreciation of William Duncan Silkworth, given by Horace Christal, Bill Wilson, and, um, just a, a, an incredible thing, with a picture

82:55

[01 22:56.516 – 01:22:58.616] of the AA inner group in New York.

82:58

[01 22:58.616 – 01:23:01.416] Here's another little scroll of thanks.

83:00

[01 23:01.416 – 01:23:05.716] This one was from the Matt Talbot group, and again, you know, praising, uh, uh, Dr.

83:06

83:07

[01 23:07.096 – 01:23:11.576] Here's another one that talks, uh, uh, about the same, just to give you an idea.

83:12

[01 23:11.576 – 01:23:19.636] And of course, his involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous, what's really cool is he actually was a Class A trustee.

83:19

[01 23:19.636 – 01:23:29.876] It wasn't a long time, but, uh, the very first Alcoholic Foundation pamphlet that came out from the, uh, uh, the, uh, uh, Alcoholic Foundation, again, you can clearly

83:29

[01 23:29.876 – 01:23:31.706] see Fulton Oursler, William D.

83:31

[01 23:31.706 – 01:23:36.876] Silkworth, Bernard Smith, Leonard Strong, Austin McCormick, uh, Frank Amos Chipman, and Harrison.

83:36

[01 23:36.876 – 01:23:38.156] They were all there.

83:37

[01 23:38.156 – 01:23:42.196] And of course, this was a little write-up of his, uh, trusteeship.

83:41

[01 23:42.196 – 01:23:48.236] Uh, joined '49 and '50, and of course, died 3/1/51.

83:45

[01 23:48.236 – 01:23:51.016] And, uh, just, um, a, you know, an amazing thing.

83:48

[01 23:51.016 – 01:23:54.836] Just before the First General So- uh, uh, Service Conference, Dr.

83:52

[01 23:54.836 – 01:23:57.396] Silkworth passed away.

83:54

[01 23:57.396 – 01:23:59.376] Again, 3/51.

83:54

[01 23:59.376 – 01:24:04.496] In fact, this was, uh, um, uh, obituary material sent to the newspapers about Dr.

84:00

[01 24:04.496 – 01:24:05.456] Silkworth's life.

84:01

[01 24:05.456 – 01:24:06.556] Born in Brooklyn.

84:02

[01 24:06.556 – 01:24:08.056] Spent early life in Fishkill.

84:04

[01 24:08.056 – 01:24:10.896] When 16, family moved to Long Branch.

84:06

[01 24:10.896 – 01:24:14.576] Had good singing voice, but timid on solos.

84:09

[01 24:14.576 – 01:24:21.576] Senior year in high school, had music teacher who had two things wrong: number one, wrapped knuckles, and number two, the guy liked solos.

84:17

[01 24:21.576 – 01:24:23.775] Will was asked to sing solo.

84:20

[01 24:23.775 – 01:24:28.236] He knocked his teacher down, went home, and never came back.

84:24

[01 24:28.236 – 01:24:32.006] Actually, he went to Princeton, like, just shortly thereafter.

84:27

[01 24:32.006 – 01:24:36.436] Anyway, in fall of '82, uh, '92, he entered Princeton.

84:30

[01 24:36.436 – 01:24:40.736] Summer, uh, uh, of course, um, um, born in, um, um...

84:34

[01 24:40.736 – 01:24:42.316] Well, that's not.

84:36

[01 24:42.316 – 01:24:45.316] Sang in the Glee Club until hurt voice cheerleading.

84:39

[01 24:45.316 – 01:24:48.436] Uh, um, and graduated 1896.

84:41

[01 24:48.436 – 01:24:52.256] Uh, again, diseases of the mind through neuropsychiatry.

84:44

[01 24:52.256 – 01:24:57.956] Whole, uh, uh, while in med school, he and his grandfather would operate on stray cats.

84:49

[01 24:57.956 – 01:25:00.176] I'm not sure why that's in there.

84:52

[01 25:00.176 – 01:25:03.796] Uh, but again, he died Thursday, March 22nd, 1951.

84:55

[01 25:03.796 – 01:25:06.416] In short, everyone knew he was a terrific worker.

84:58

[01 25:06.416 – 01:25:08.676] Worked with 51,000 alcoholics in his life.

85:00

[01 25:08.676 – 01:25:16.176] Never being a drunk himself, worked with them from 1900 and was uniquely able to reach the unreachable.

85:06

[01 25:16.176 – 01:25:19.936] He had the gift to work with these unfortunate people.

85:10

[01 25:19.936 – 01:25:26.436] First to say alcoholism was an illness or a disease, not just a bad habit.

85:15

[01 25:26.436 – 01:25:27.816] Wow, what an amazing thing.

85:17

[01 25:27.816 – 01:25:37.796] And of course, after his, uh, uh, passing, Bill continued, uh, this, uh, um, you know, um, financial ex- you know, thing for his widow.

85:26

[01 25:37.796 – 01:25:40.916] This was the plan for Marie Antoinette.

85:28

[01 25:40.916 – 01:25:45.276] And I know due to time, uh, we're, we're just pretty much wrapping it up.

85:34

[01 25:45.276 – 01:25:53.816] Uh, but long story short, he basically talks about all the stuff, um, including, uh, that, that first paragraph I will read.

85:41

[01 25:53.816 – 01:26:00.336] "It was then that he declared my own spiritual experience to be a reality, not a hallucination.

85:47

[01 26:00.336 – 01:26:10.556] It was then he declared alcoholism to be an obsession plus an allergy, thereby contributing to AA the indispensable idea of alcoholism, the illness.

85:55

[01 26:10.556 – 01:26:17.276] It was then, at risk of his reputation, he permitted me to visit his own alcoholic patients.

86:01

[01 26:17.276 – 01:26:21.896] It was then that he dared write an introduction to the book Alcoholics Anonymous.

86:06

[01 26:21.896 – 01:26:25.826] It was then that he procured a sum of money from Charles B.

86:11

[01 26:25.826 – 01:26:30.316] Town, which saved the book itself from financial disaster.

86:14

[01 26:30.316 – 01:26:40.316] And in the years following, he medically attended and wonderfully counseled many thousands of us who are today well and happy." And then, of course, he just

86:23

[01 26:40.316 – 01:26:43.896] kind of continues on, on with the thing, but then he lays out the plan.

86:29

[01 26:43.896 – 01:26:51.775] He talks about, "Before Silkworth passed away, the trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation attempted to make a provision for the doctor's declining years.

86:36

[01 26:51.775 – 01:27:02.056] They felt, as I did, that the doctor's contribution to AA was, uh, so great, his situation so without precedent, that the AA movement itself

86:45

[01 27:02.056 – 01:27:04.226] had a definite obligation.

86:47

[01 27:04.226 – 01:27:14.566] At their January '51 meeting, the trustees accordingly granted him a royalty of 5% on the book Alcoholics Anonymous, subject of course to approval of the AA

86:55

[01 27:14.566 – 01:27:18.936] General Service Conference and at its forthcoming April gathering.

86:59

[01 27:18.936 – 01:27:20.596] In the s- interval, Dr.

87:01

[01 27:20.596 – 01:27:28.476] Silkworth died, and unfortunately, it now seems clear that the trustees have no legal power to make such a grant to Mrs.

87:08

[01 27:28.476 – 01:27:29.176] Silkworth.

87:09

[01 27:29.176 – 01:27:39.696] Though she faces considerable insecurity in direct result from the doctor's small average lifetime income from his practices among us alcoholics."

87:16

[01 27:39.696 – 01:27:46.216] And, uh, again, laying out the line, pretty much talking about, you know, again, the friends of Dr.

87:22

[01 27:46.216 – 01:27:51.296] Silkworth, you know, kind of doing something on the side, and that's exactly what they did.

87:28

[01 27:51.296 – 01:27:56.836] The, uh, General Service Conference did award him this, uh, scroll, and it laid it out.

87:34

[01 27:56.836 – 01:28:00.316] You know, "He was the first, uh, physician ever to befriend AA.

87:38

[01 28:00.316 – 01:28:04.496] He truly described the strange nature of the illness and grave risk to his career.

87:43

[01 28:04.496 – 01:28:14.856] Though a man of science, he boldly set his approval on the book Alcoholics Anonymous, thus prescribing a spiritual remedy." And again, "As

87:51

[01 28:14.856 – 01:28:22.656] one of the first architects of AA, he stood by the bedsides of uncounted thousands, the healing art of his hands and compelling love in his eyes.

88:00

[01 28:22.656 – 01:28:29.336] The members of AA saw that he understood, and they followed him out into the d- light of day.

88:07

[01 28:29.336 – 01:28:39.476] The world's, uh, fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous presents this testament of gratitude to his well-loved wife, Marie Antoinette Silkworth, son, General Service Conference,

88:15

[01 28:39.476 – 01:28:46.216] um, Board of Trustee Leonard Strong, May 1951." And from there, again, Dr.

88:19

[01 28:46.216 – 01:28:48.556] William Duncan Silkworth, The Doctor's Opinion.

88:21

[01 28:48.556 – 01:28:51.356] I, I thank you, and I know I went a little over.

88:26

[01 28:51.356 – 01:28:53.896] And, uh, uh, Tim, I will, uh, hand it back to you.

88:30

[01 28:53.896 – 01:28:56.196] Great job, Drew.

88:31

[01 28:56.196 – 01:28:56.936] Thank you.

88:32

[01 28:56.936 – 01:29:00.336] Thank you, Drew.

88:34

[01 29:00.336 – 01:29:01.316] Great job.

88:35

[01 29:01.316 – 01:29:07.536] And, uh, looks like you went right to the end of time, so we are going to skip questions tonight.

88:41

[01 29:07.536 – 01:29:15.036] But I will ask Drew to send his email contact in the chat for anyone that has a question.

88:48

[01 29:15.036 – 01:29:19.136] And, uh, reminder, we have Mike next week.

88:51

[01 29:19.136 – 01:29:21.936] Um, so join us again next week.

88:54

[01 29:21.936 – 01:29:25.016] And now I will allow everyone to unmute and thank Drew.

88:58

[01 29:25.016 – 01:29:26.796] Cool.

88:58

[01 29:26.796 – 01:29:28.016] Thank you, Drew.

The following is an AI-generated transcript. Minor errors may occur. The audio is the authoritative source.

Silkworth Presentation presented by Drew H – 2025-04-08

Silkworth Presentation presented by Drew H – 2025-04-08

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