 The Cavalcade of America, presented by Dupont. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the use of Christmas seals to raise funds for the fight against tuberculosis. This evening the Dupont Cavalcade tells the story of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, founder of the Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium, now Trudeau Sanatorium, at Saranac Lake, New York. Every year at this time, through the sale of Christmas seals, you too can help in the work which has been started by such men as Edward Livingston Trudeau. Dr. Trudeau worked as a pioneer, and the result of his research has proved beneficial to thousands suffering from the disease. The same spirit that inspired men like Trudeau is found today in many laboratories throughout the country, where they're working to add to our daily comforts and conveniences. Their work is aptly expressed in the Dupont Pledge, Better Things for Better Living Through Chemistry. As an overture, Don Bore's and the Dupont Cavalcade Orchestra bring us Cole Porter's latest melody in the still of the night from the picture, Rosalie. Bore never achieved in victory. Such a man was Edward Livingston Trudeau, born in New York City in 1848 of French parenthesis. After graduating from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, he began to practice in 1871. He had been an active, vigorous youth, but during his 25th year, he began to feel ill and finally consulted Dr. Janeway, a famous New York physician, to find them in Dr. Janeway's office. Well, Dr. Janeway, I find it hard to tell you. Then, there is something the matter. Go ahead. The upper two-thirds of the left lung. Tuberculosis? Yes. I'm sorry, Trudeau. How to break it to my wife? I wish I could help you. I know now how a man feels when he's sentenced to death, when the date for his execution is set. Well, you mustn't be so morbid. Your trouble isn't necessarily fatal. Don't talk to her. I know. My brother died from Tuberculosis. But you're young. You've got everything to live for. There's always a chance. Rest. See if the condition clears up. Then let me look at you in six months. You're very kind. But we might as well be honest. You don't think I'll be here in six months, do you, Doctor? Do you? I don't know. In 1873, there was no known cure for Tuberculosis. Dr. Trudeau had been an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman and loved the woods. He and his friend Lou Livingston had spent happy vacations at Paul Smith's Hotel for Huntsman in the Adirondacks. Here, Dr. Trudeau determined to return for the short time he believed was left to him. Livingston consented to take him on a lengthy journey, though it meant several days by train and boat and a long drive over bad roads. At last, they arrived at the camp where Smith, Mrs. Smith, and several guys are waiting. Well, Mr. Livingston, we thought you'd never get here. Hello, Paul. Hello, Mrs. Smith. Hello, Mr. Livingston. What a trip for that washboard role. Yes, I can imagine it was. How are you, Martin? Fine. Hi, Mr. Livingston. Well, Dr. Trudeau, you don't look none too comfortable. I'm afraid I'm pretty sick, Fred. Well, the boys are wanting to see you, but they can wait. I'll have you upstairs in two jerks. Put your arms around my neck now. Hold on now. Well, glad to see you, Doctor. Stand back, you fellas now. Dr. Trudeau ain't doing no receiving just now. Someone go ahead and open the bedroom door. I will, Fred. That's right, man. Am I too heavy, Fred? Why, you're no chard all of them, Doc. But you've been doing it yourself. Well, you don't weigh no more than a dried lamb's skin. No, I'm only about half the man I was, but you know, Fred, there's something about these woods. Quietness. Peace up here. It'll help you, Doc. I'm sure it will. Just the sight of them gives me hope. Here you are, Fred. Just set him down easy on the bed. Thank you, Fred. Now, Dr. Trudeau, just as soon as we can make you comfortable, I think you should have something to eat. That'd be very nice, Mrs. A glass of milk? A glass of milk? Oh, you're back in the mountains now, Dr. Trudeau. I've got a tray all set for you with eggs and brook trout and pancakes and coffees. That sounds wonderful, Mrs. You know, I really believe I'm beginning to feel better already. Separation from his family was a great hardship. The next summer in the Adirondacks did Dr. Trudeau so much good that he and his wife decided to brave a winter at Paul Smith's camp. In January, Dr. Trudeau meets the train at Malone 40 miles from the camp and the party starts back to Paul Smith's. Dr. and Mrs. Trudeau are in a cutter. Paul Smith and Fred Martin follow in another sleigh with the two children and the nurse, Mary. The snow is falling heavily and Dr. Trudeau tries to keep his wife from worrying. Why, this wind is terrible. It's a blizzard, all right. Are you warm enough? Yes, but I'm wondering about the children. Mary will see to them. They have plenty of fur robes. They're not used to cold like this. What is the temperature, dear? Oh, about zero. Zero? All those four babies? They're all right. Fours. The following is very closely. I can hear the sleigh. What's that? There you go. Something's happened. I hear a calf crying. The sleigh is overturned. They're in a drift. Let me out. No, you mustn't get under the snow, Lottie. Hold the reins. I'm going. Oh, wait. Hey, are you all right? Come on, get up. Anyone hurt? Get up, pal. Oh, enough. All right, sir. Don't cry, baby. Baby, post you, Mary. Keep the robe about him, so the snow won't get in. Oh, no. God, no. Come here, darling. Daddy will get the snow off. Come on, darling. Get up. Get up, flaky. Get up, pal. Come on. No use, pal. No, it's up to their shoulder. Never get this sleigh out of here. Get your horses. I know how I will do, Fred. Get a couple of shovels in the bay and play. We'll make the place in his hollow and put them all in. Doc, the missus and the kids. They'll keep warm there with the robe. What becomes of me? What becomes of me? You two, Mary. Oh, thank you. Then we'll unharness the horses and lead them up the hill. We can do that, Martin. And then we can pull the sleigh out of the drift ourselves. Now, there's no time to argue, Doc. All right. What are you doing? I'm getting a shovel, too. I'm going to start digging. Now, Doctor, you're a sick man. Stop that. All right, friend. Stop crying and watch Daddy. See? Daddy's making a snow house. Some hours later, as night comes on, huddled together in the snow shelter, Doctor and Mrs. Trudeau try to quiet the fears of Mary and the children. Paul Smith and Fred Martin have gone for help. Why did I ever come here? Why did I ever come? Now, Mary, be quiet. I'm your coward. No, darling. I know. But we'll get to where it's warm after a while. Now, snuggle up and try to go to sleep. Lottie, why did I ever let you come up here? I risked your life for the children just because I wouldn't pace the winter alone. But I'm a coward. Oh, no, you're not a coward. And you're so brave. I'm not brave. I just want you to be with me always. Bless you. Because without you, I couldn't go on. Lottie, something curious happened to me a few weeks ago. I've been waiting to tell you about it. Yes. It came in a dream. Do you believe in dreams? Well, sometimes. I fell asleep when the fox ran over the hill and I dreamed it. I was curious. But tell me. I dreamed I started a sanatorium here in Saranac for people like me. People who have tuberculosis. Oh. It was a great sanatorium where everyone lived out of doors, ate and slept in the open air. And it cured them. Lottie, it cured them. You mean as it's curing you? Yes. There is something in it, Lottie. I don't know what, but the air up here, the peace and the quiet of the place. It is helping me. Of course, the doctors laugh. We'll let them laugh. You are better at it. I'm going to do some experimenting. If we ever get out of this, find out what it is that makes some people die. How to fight it, huh? All that shoveling, Eddie. You shouldn't have done it. Why doesn't Paul come? I don't know. He must be lost. Don't say that, Lottie. I've been thinking it's raging. Eddie, look. The wind's chained. It's shifting. The snow is going down into our hollow. You're right. It is. We'll be covered. We'll have to get out. Eddie, I'm so cold. I can't move. And look at Chad. A poor little face. You'll give it to me, darling. No. We'll die if we go into that storm. We'll be buried in the snow. We stay here. There's nothing else we can do. Lottie, can you ever forgive me for this? Forgive you. What you must be thinking of me. I'm thinking, thank God we're all together. Oh, Lottie. My dear. I want to go where the lights are, Lottie. Now be quiet, darling. Put your head down. There aren't any lights. There are lights. Eddie, there are lights. They're lanterns, Lottie. Hi. Praise be. It's Paul. Here. Maybe I'm going to live to build my sanatorium after all. At the end of the following year, Dr. Trudeau convinced that his only chance for life was to remain in the mountains, settled at Serenac Lake, about 40 miles from Paul Smith. He became increasingly interested in the disease which was consuming him, and at which that time was considered incurable. He again began to practice medicine a little and started a series of experiments on the fresh air treatment for tuberculosis. His dream of a sanatorium became a definite plan. In the summer of 1882, he talks to Dr. Alfred Loomis, a specialist from New York. Well, admit it, Dr. Loomis. When you examined me up here the first year, you never thought you'd see me alive again. Well, you certainly proved your point, Trudeau. This climate does have a beneficial effect in cases like yours. Doctor, if there were a sanatorium at Serenac, a place where patients could live in separate cottages, up in the open, a place where they could come for less than cost, would you send your patients there? Of course I would, like a shot. You don't know where I can find one, do you? Well, to tell you the truth, I'm thinking of building one. You're thinking of building a sanatorium? Why, a man alive would cost a fortune. Not the way I'm going to build it. I'd start in a very small way. Build part of a main building, a cottage or two. But even that takes money. I know, but, you see, I have friends who are interested in a thing like this. I believe I could raise enough for a start. It would be a fine thing to do, Trudeau. And you'll send your patients here if we build a sanatorium and recommend the climate to other doctors? I certainly will. When I consider what it's done for you, you were a dying man, and now look at you. Come in. Oh, hello, Fitz. Can I see you a moment, doctor? Assure me. How are you, Fitz? Well, hi, Dr. Loomis. Well, Trudeau, if you'll get along with the sanatorium, my dear, let me know. I have a site hole picked out. The old pox runway on me, site of the mountain. I haven't figured out how I'm going to buy that yet, but it's worth thinking about. Isn't it, doctor? It's a splendid plan. Where did you get the idea? I dreamed about it once, and I've never been able to forget it. I hope your dream comes true. Yeah, I must be on my way now. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night. Good night, doctor. Good night, Fitz. Good night. Hey, doctor, have you really made up your mind that you want to build this sanatorium? I wanted as much as I've ever wanted anything in my life. But I don't see my way clear. You've got money enough for the first buildings, huh? Yes. But I haven't any land to put them on. Oh, that's common to that. See, some of the guides got together when we heard you was wishing for some land, and we bargained for 16 acres. Got a right good price. So if you want that land... Oh, Fitz, we'd be proud to have you accepted as a sort of a gift from us. I couldn't accept it. Oh, you can't get out of acceptance. That's what I come over to tell you. It's yours. I don't know what to say. How to thank you. Oh, don't bother, doc. You're an awful welcome. Of course, I do think it's a darn shame to spoil a good fox runway by building a sanatorium on it. In the remaining 30 years of Dr. Trudeau's life, a great institution grew from the first tiny cottage, the Little Red, to a splendid modern hospital at Saranac Lake. Dr. Trudeau outlived most of the strong men who had seen his arrival. But all of his life, he fought a losing battle, and he knew it. Handicapped by his disease-wracked body, he bowed to the inevitable and pushed bravely ahead. His fame spread as his strength failed. In May 1910, as president of the 8th Congress of American Physicians and Surgeons, he goes to Washington to deliver an address on the value of optimism in medicine. He is so weak that he has to be helped into the lecture hall. You'd better sit here in the ante room and rest for a little, Dr. Trudeau. Yes, dear. You have a few moments before it's time to speak. I haven't as much strength as I thought I had, but I'll be all right in a moment. Well, the chairman is motioning you to the platform. May I help you? I think I can make it by myself. Thank you. Are you going into the auditorium out here? Why, I think I shall stay here, dear. I can hear it perfectly. And be near in case of casualties. I need your name, my dear. I can do nothing without you. Wish me luck. Walks very smoothly. You shouldn't have permitted him to come. Oh, you couldn't have forbidden it. His heart was in it. Yes, I know. There is little need of my introducing the next speaker to you. We are honored to have him as our president. We are grateful to him for coming here today. He lived on borrowed time for many years, Drudeau. His courage is always carried him through. And what courage he has. The courage is vanquished. The vanquished? Victory and defeat. Physically, he's been forced to yield to spend years on a secret. But his spirit has never yielded. This is a mystery of faith and imagination. And some bring the vision that leads one from the secret path. Urges him to effort when obstacles block the way. Hopeful to the land. What is it about the land? A sort of glory. A sort of glory. A glory of the vanquished. Drudeau died November 5th, 1915 at Serenac Lake. Forty-two years after a sentence of death was first pronounced upon him. At around that cottage sanatorium, now Trudeau's sanatorium, stands as the result of his courageous battle, a monument to man's victory over disease and death. DuPont salutes Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau for his courage and his achievements in the Cavalcade of America. Now it is appropriate that we present as our guests on this evening's DuPont Cavalcade program, Dr. Francis B. Trudeau, only surviving son of the pioneer in tuberculosis control and a directing head of Trudeau sanatorium at Serenac Lake. Dr. Trudeau, just how much progress has been made in anti-tuberculosis work since those early days? Science has given us vastly better control of tuberculosis. In 30 years, it has dropped from first place to seventh place as a cause of death in this country. And how has this been done, Dr. Trudeau? A great deal of our success is due to better public understanding. Agencies such as the National Tuberculosis Association with its Christmas Seals, state health units, public health nursing groups and far-sighted industries have taught people that tuberculosis is curable when discovered in its early stages. How can you make sure that the disease is found before it reaches an advanced stage? The only certain way of detecting the disease in its earlier stages is through a medical examination that there is any reason for suspicion an x-ray should be taken. Well, Dr. Trudeau, you mentioned the park industry is playing. Just how do industrial organizations contribute to the campaign against the disease? Tuberculosis is contracted through association with those who have it to protect their employees against spread of the disease and to help any that contract it to obtain the necessary care certain companies have set up procedures which include physical examinations at regular intervals. We need not go far to find a good example. The DuPont Company has a very far-sighted tuberculosis control policy. Since those of your organization who go to Sarenac Lake are referred to me for care and treatment, I know from experience how your plan works. Fine, then you're elected to tell how this company is dealing with the tuberculosis problem, Dr. Trudeau. It is not only a humane and idealistic thing to do, but money is actually saved in the long run when a method is set up to check tuberculosis before it gains a foothold and a care and a care for its victims of this disease until they can return to useful occupation. The DuPont Company requires everyone to have a thorough medical examination when first employed. In addition, employees are urged to undergo at least one physical check-up each year which they get at no cost to themselves. In both cases, the examination includes an x-ray of the lungs which is the most accurate and complete means of detecting tuberculosis in its earliest stages. Well, suppose an employee has contracted the disease since his last regular medical examination. What's the next step, Dr. Trudeau? Well, as you know, the company has a wage disability plan whereby employees are given full pay for a certain period while they are off the job. It makes it possible for any employee found to have tuberculosis to seek medical aid immediately and to get the physical and mental rest he needs. Freedom from immediate money worries is mighty important for the patient's frame of mind has a lot to do with his chances of getting well. Complete rest and proper medical attention during the first three months is often the most important factor in affecting a cure. Under this plan, Dr. Trudeau, just how much of a chance does the average person have of throwing off the disease? That depends among many things, including the patient's physical condition and his willingness to cooperate with those who are trying to help him. However, at present, of the male employees treated at Sarnac Lake, more than 85% are being returned to useful jobs. And I understand that a similar record has been set by Stonywald, a nearby sanitarium to which female employees are directed. Well, those figures seem to indicate, Dr. Trudeau, that a large percentage of those who get tuberculosis have a chance to win their fight against it. Exactly. Within those organizations that have similar plans, new cases are gradually declining. Such companies are giving mighty valuable help in our effort to eradicate tuberculosis. Well, thank you, Dr. Trudeau. The DuPont Company is proud to be able to play a part in such work. And in closing, may I remind our listeners that you can help through your purchases of Christmas field stamps, thus hastening that day when tuberculosis may be stamped out forever. The master navigator, the life story of Nathaniel Bowditch, mathematician and practical navigator, and what was called his Christmas miracle, will be the subject of our broadcast when next week, the same time, DuPont again presents the Cavalcade of America. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.