Thank you for the article in the July–August 2001 issue about Professor Lee Wattenberg’s encounter with flesh-eating strep ("Caught in the Nick"). There is a simple and powerful message for all readers that says all open wounds that are infected need to be taken seriously, very seriously.

In 1997, a tiny nick in my left wrist quickly translated into a throbbing left arm with streaks of flesh turning dark red and a 60 over 40 blood pressure. Eight days later, after six operations by Dr. Gordon Aamoth to remove infected flesh, plastic surgeon Bruce Shilling put a foot-long skin graft on my forearm and sent me off to a hand therapist.

The arm and hand regained full strength, but rheumatoid arthritis emerged as a lingering aftermath of this experience. Professor Patrick Schlievert’s vaccine to protect against strep toxins can’t come soon enough.

Larry Granger, B.A. ’60, M.A. ’67
Bloomington, Minnesota

A Flesh-Eating Case in the 1950s

I enjoyed your article "Caught in the Nick" and was much impressed with the astute diagnosis made by medical student Kristine Olson, as well as the vigorous and correct treatment by the entire team. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon now, but in 1957–58 was a first-year general surgical resident at the United States Public Health Service Hospital on Staten Island, New York.

In your summary and facts about the flesh-eating streptococcus, you make note that this was first reported by Patrick Schlievert and Larry Cohn in a 1987 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. If my memory serves me correctly, the organism is the Alpha or group A of the beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. During that residency year, I was involved with the treatment of a mortally ill individual who developed a necrotizing fasciitis of almost the entire abdominal wall after surgical procedure. Toxic shock syndrome had not been recognized at that point in relation to strep but rather to meningococcus and pneumococcus. Otherwise, I cannot disagree with the article or facts in any way—a great story.

Bruce Sundberg, B.A. ’52, M.D. ’56
Alexandria, Minnesota

Patrick Schlievert responds: The 1987 article is the earliest description of the illness. Were there cases before that? Yes, I am sure of it. I have always believed that streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with necrotizing fasciitis is the malignant streptococcal scarlet fever described in the 1920s. I believe the illness was present at the turn of the century up until the 1950s and then went into quiescence. It reappeared in the 1980s, and that is what we described. We documented its reemergence and the reemergence of scarlet fever toxin A. Nearly everyone else in the medical community believes we described a new illness because they do not think it is severe scarlet fever.

Tax-Rebate Idea

Since this last disappointing legislative session ended, I have several lingering, disturbing questions: Do our legislators really comprehend what a valuable asset our university is to the entire state? Do they know of the exciting research in progress? Do they understand that a well-educated population is a key to our growth and viability?

Are they aware of our good fortune to have Mark Yudof as our president? He has masterfully overcome problems since he arrived. At his instigation, our physical facilities have improved and acquired a vibrant appearance. His vision for future development is exciting.

Regarding our tax rebate: Do we really need it? How much is a few hundred dollars really going to benefit each of us?

I would like to encourage each of us to endorse our rebate checks to the University of Minnesota Foundation. The amount may seem small compared to the deep cuts the legislature dealt the University, but many checks would help and it would be a way to say, "Thank you for your dedication and generous service," to our terrific president and board of regents.

Lois Haugerud, B.S. ’43, M.Ed. ’72 Richfield, Minnesota

Ads Marginalize White Males

Have you actually looked at the advertisements promoting the UMAA in the magazine? Page 4: two young girls. Page 5: probably a white male. Page 7: gender of figure in snow can’t be determined. Page 13: black female. Page 49: white female. Page 57: female of color.

The message is clear, I believe: White males have been marginalized, relegated to an afterthought.

It is telling that a statistic quoted on page 8 notes that females already compose the majority of undergraduates—a percentage that is undoubtedly increasing.

Contrary to Professor Mary Jo Kane’s statement on page 10, women already have more than equal treatment, at least when it comes to UMAA advertising and enrollment.

Steven Kaatz, Ph.D. ’86 St. Paul

Correction
In the article "A Scholar and a Diplomat" (July-August 2001), Patrick Mendis’s master’s degree was inaccurately reported. Mendis earned his master of arts in international development and foreign affairs in 1986.