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Eisenhower had a left anterior myocardial infarction in September 1955, while on vacation at
his in-laws' house in Denver. He was transported by car to Fitzsimmons Veterans Hospital and
placed in an oxygen tent. His EKG showed ventricular and supraventricular premature beats.
Although he developed a friction rub, he was treated with heparin
1.
Eisenhower broke with precedent and released detailed information about his illness to the
public, but nevertheless, some of what the public learned was carefully choreographed
SEE BELOW
1.
Eisenhower's long term treatment included coumadin 35 mg/wk, a low fat diet, and maintenance
of weight at 175 pounds
MORE
1a.
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Here are examples of how the release of information was managed:
Recall that in 1955 there was no constitutional mechanism for the transfer of power from an invalid president to the Vice President. While Eisenhower was hospitalized in Denver, his advisor Sherman Adams would usually spend most weekdays with him, then fly to Washington for the Friday cabinet meetings held by Vice President Nixon. This led to comments in the press about Adams as "shadow president" and Nixon as "Acting President" 1d. (It is interesting to recall that John Tyler had vigorously opposed the term "Acting President" when assumed the presidency after the death of William Henry Harrison.) |
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a p.123 b p.117 c p.119 d p.120
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