JFK Orders "One of Those Blue Pills"
President Kennedy suffered from extraordinarily poor health throughout his life and was read the last rites by a Catholic priest twice before he had reached the age of 30. Among his many afflictions was Addison's disease, a potentially life-threatening condition. Later in life, he suffered from chronic back pain. The combination of illness and pain required significant doses of medication. In this telephone call, President Kennedy asks White House physician Admiral George Burkley to "send up a little extra medication."
Date: Mar 01, 1963 - Mar 31, 1963
Participants: John Kennedy, George Burkley
Conversation Number: Dictabelt 9.B7
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(Admiral George Burkley): George Burkley.
(President Kennedy): Oh, doctor, I wonder if you could-have you got-send up a little extra medication?
(Admiral George Burkley): I gave it to Mrs. [Evelyn]
(President Kennedy): Did you get extra?
(Admiral George Burkley): Yes, she has it on her desk.
(President Kennedy): I see.
(Admiral George Burkley): We can get it up to you. Up to your quarters?
(President Kennedy): No, I'm in my office. Has she got it?
(Admiral George Burkley): Yes, she has it.
(President Kennedy): What about one of those blue pills?
(Admiral George Burkley): Oh, we can give her that too.
(President Kennedy): O.K.
(Admiral George Burkley): She doesn't have that. I'll bring it right up.