Hysteria

Robert Ross

Ohio State University and Ohio health officials took a harder look at other illnesses now that three known students had either become mysteriously ill or died.

Robert Ross, a freshman from Bellevue, Ohio became ill on Tuesday, January 27, 1925. He was diagnosed with food poisoning at the time.

"I took the capsules as directed and later in the evening went to the university gymnasium to play basketball," Ross said according to a Feb. 7, 1925 article in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. "I began to feel sick and then shortly thereafter I became dizzy. I started vomiting. My body became stiff and other students assisted me to my home."

Timothy J. McCarthy

Timothy J. McCarthy of Fremont, Ohio, a sophomore in the college of Commerce and Journalism, became suddenly ill the previous Thursday, Jan. 29, 1925. He too had a cold and a prescription for R&Ws, but he was diagnosed with "hysteria." His remaining capsules were later examined and all but one were as prescribed. The other contained strychnine. According to family stories, I believe it was Timothy who later entertained friends by sticking pin and needles into his now nerveless fingers.

Harold E. Gillig, a sophomore from Tiffin or Toledo, was diagnosed with indigestion or hysteria.

Edward A. Byron, a freshman from Cincinnati, also became ill.

But why no women? Male students were seen by Dr. Harry Shindel Wingert, Director of Student Health Services. Wingert prescribed R&Ws seventy-eight times in January. Female students were seen by a woman doctor who did not prescribe R&Ws.

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