Presidential Physician: Nathaniel Yorke-Davies

• Yorke-Davies was a physician in London, England who served as Taft's "diet doctor" circa 1906. The two never met; all consulting was done through the mail. The result was highly satisfactory: Taft lost over 60 pounds in less than a year on the prescribed diet. Alas, Taft strayed from the diet as the 1908 Presidential campaign loomed, and the weight came back. For more information, see the Apneos web site.

• Sotos JG. Taft and Pickwick: sleep apnea in the White House. Chest. 2003; 124: 1133-1142.