People: No new members present. Jim Hudson attended as guest of his brother Don. Dayton Ogden is at Waveny. So is Don Ambuhl, until about December 1st. Frank Barfuss has returned to Norwalk Hospital. Any Ray Wheeler is at SMC today, after hip surgery.
Activities: Bowling seeks new members; recent experience is not required. Bridge meets here today at 11:30. Phil Toll has a problem with 4-F scheduling for December. The only practical date is the 29th, and this may be too conflicting for too many. More news later. Paddle is getting good turnouts. Racquetball attendances this past week were an exhilarating 4, 5 and 3. Trail-blazers will walk in Waveny every Friday morning at 8:30, rain or shine. Interesting species of local fauna are often visible.
Couth: Ron Seger reported the warm reception accorded to SMC by the 21 Club in NYC last Wednesday. He also read a gracious thank-you note from Mary Liebtag. He then skimmed the upcoming calendar of events and reiterated the new "reservation plus cash" policy, along with the cogent reasons for it.
Other News: Charlie Morris read his epicurean menu for the Christmas luncheon. The prix fixe is a bargain $473, but a $30 alternative is available for our less opulent members. The SMC clothing exchange turned up a jacket for Ken DeGroot, but no hat for Wally Richards. Gordon Jones encouraged volunteers for Grandparents Day at East School next Wednesday. Don Hunziker recalled November events from the World War II years. He also called attention to the prominent N.C. Advertiser articles featuring celebrities John Berg, Bob Bunge, and Joe Sweet.
Jester: John Berg explained the difference in lavatory manners between teachings at great universities on the Charles and East Rivers.
Speaker: VP Clancy Fauntleroy introduced Dr. Philip Corso, noted plastic surgeon, author and teacher. Dr. Corso spoke on the death of Napoleon, and on the recent theory that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic by agents of his British captors. Dr. Corso traced Napoleon's meteoric career and his final six year exile and death, in 1821, on the isolated island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. During these years Napoleon's medical history was meticulously recorded; many persons, including seven doctors, witnessed his death and autopsy. His symptoms were consistent with stomach cancer, which had also killed his father. In 1825 the clinical details of his death were reported in two excellent volumes written by the chief attending physician, one Dr. Antommarchi. Poisoning was not alleged at the time, nor for the next 135 years.
In 1962 the Swedish Doctor Sten Forshufvud published a theory of poisoning based on analysis of arsenic in a few of Napoleon's hairs, and this was expanded in books written by Ben Weider. Dr. Corso explained that arsenic is a common element, present in most people's hairs and readily and usually harmlessly absorbed by the human body. Napoleon lacked any of the typical symptoms of arsenic poisoning, while displaying those of a stomach cancer. Dr. Corso suggested that perhaps Mr. Weider was motivated by the prospect of financial reward, which he has achieved by selling 1.2 million books.
Peter Schurman - Assistant Secretary