February 12, 1941 (Wednesday)

EDNA GETS NEW SHOES. HENRY IS JAUNDICED.

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Beautiful day - just

like spring.

Mrs. Clayton brought my

new shoes and fitted

them

Rev. + Mrs. Chamberlain

called this P.M.

Bob, Lucille, and I

drove to Hospital this

eve to see Henry.

Jaundice going away

slowly - he is feeling

pretty good.

Dr. Wedel called this

morn for a little chat.

Orlo drew manure

to - day.

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The everyday shoes Edna ordered in January were delivered by Mrs. Clayton today. Getting fitted for shoes in the 1930s, 40s and 50s often entailed inserting your feet into an x-ray machine. Edna placed her order over the phone so it doesn't seem x-rays were involved with this purchase but maybe they had her films on file from a previous fitting.

Shoe-Fitting fluoroscopes first appeared in stores in the 1920s and were used by some stores as late as the 1970s. Concerns about radiation exposure eventually led to the demise of shoe-fitting fluoroscopes.

Today, if you are shopping for shoes on the Nike app, you will be prompted to try Nike Fit which uses your smartphone camera to scan your feet, ensuring you select the right size and get a perfect fit.

Henry is suffering from a gallbladder attack. Now we know that he is also jaundiced.

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Jaundice: If the gallstone leaves the gallbladder and gets stuck in the bile duct it may block the passage of bile into the intestine. The bile will then seep into the bloodstream, causing signs of jaundice. In most cases, this complication will require the surgical removal of the gallstone.

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An operation is on the horizon for Henry. Maybe that is why Dr. Wedel called Edna for a "little chat."