When I went into business for myself in my early twenties, I was in poor health. Contact with coal dust caused fear that tuberculosis would develop because of my weakened condition.
At the outbreak of World War II there was a great need for welders, and I was transferred to a city where tankers were built. There I came into contact with welding smoke which, like the coal dust, only aggravated my condition. For several years I had suffered from low blood pressure, rheumatism, and heart trouble. Now tuberculosis was added to my list of ailments.
When I felt unable to cope with my continued physical distress I prayed for death and in frequent periods of despondency considered suicide. One day after X rays had been taken I asked my doctor for the plain truth. His reply was that there was nothing he could do for me.
