In many letters thus far, Gladys has mentioned Oleum Percomorphum and Dextri-Maltose. Because she was not able to breast feed David, other alternatives for feeding were necessary. Mead Johnson & Company was the producer and developer of these products. We know them today for such products as Enfamil and Enfalac. The company introduced Oleum Percomporphum in 1935. A vitamin A and D supplement, it helped to prevent Rickets. This is not a disease one hears much about these days. Rickets causes a weakening of the bones, especially in children. With our modern vitamin fortified milk, rickets is generally considered a disease of the past.

Mead Johnson & Company developed Dextri-Maltrose in 1911. This carbohydrate power supplement was mixed with milk to help weaker infants gain strength and weight. It was marketed directly to physicians and soon became one of their most important products. Prior to World War I, the compound was created from potato starch which was imported from Germany. In 1916, the company moved production to Evansville, Indiana and changed the basis of the formula from potato starch to corn. Indiana proved to be a prime location for acquiring corn.

For more information on Mead Johnson & Company and these products, check out these websites:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3480000067.html
http://www.meadjohnson.com/Company/Pages/Our-History.aspx

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 27-1942

Dear Daddy-

Tues eve. and almost 7 P.M. I am tired this evening so after I finish writing will take David and go upstairs. He went to sleep after his 6 P.M. bottle so I should get to bed and sleep while he sleeps so I can catch up some. He still requires a 2 AM bottle and that seems to come around so soon after 10 PM.

Sunday afternoon David & Marie came to see us. They said they wanted to see the name sake and make the trip before gas rationing. It is to start (gas rationing) Nov. 22. David had received your letter and I think they wrote to you also they are going to send you a Christmas box. If all the boxes get to you by Dec 25 you should have several. Betty Beaver told me today she helped wrap a box the different organizations are sending. I sent our box last Sat. Ruthie mailed her box this week. I know your Mother  & Ruth M. sent boxes too.

Mark got a blister on both heels from his new scout shoes. He could hardly walk at noon so I took him to school and went to get him this evening. While in town had anti-freeze put in the car, and have winter oils in so the car is in shape now for cold weather.

[page 2] The finances are in good shape. The bills are all paid (except a few drug bills). The bal. now is a little above seven but when the check comes the first of next month it will bounce up. That bal. includes the birthday money. I haven’t spent much money lately due to the fact I haven’t been out much. I am not much in the spending mood at present and can’t think of anything in particular I want right now.

If and when your packages come I will let you know, if and when you get my letters. I hope all my letters get to you because they are like a diary. I tried every day to keep up with the news.

This evening in town I saw so many people – It was Club day and so many club women were in town. Mrs. T. J. [Louise] Britton told me she had some shrubbery she wants to give me.

A former salesman – and I can’t remember the co. he traveled for is in Art’s now, so he must be taking over for Art. Art is to leave Nov. 5. He got rating of mate second class in Navy.

Dr. Cole told me to get Oleum Percomorphum for the baby. He also gets orange juice now. Today was his first day on 4 hr schedule and seems to do just as good. Will see what he does tomorrow. The boys (John & Mark) (I should say the older boys) have started taking oral vaccine you left. John had a cold and took one of those and his cold left. Of course he is still taking them

Love

Mother