Early X-rays, continued To the Editor: Missing from the extended debate on whether Yale or Dartmouth produced the first X-ray after Roentgen (Letters, Summer 1998) is one significant piece of information. Peter Spiegel wrote, “If Yale’s physicist, Arthur Wright pre-empted the Dartmouth group, it remains unreported and unsubstantiated, at least in the scientific literature.” In fact, Dr. Wright’s report was published in the Feb. 1, 1896, issue of Engineering and Mining Journal and in Electrical Engineer of February 5. Wright wrote an additional report with more experiments in the March issue of the American Journal of Science. It is ironic that Wright’s report antedated a report from Harvard by four days. Raymond A. Gagliardi, MD ’45, HS ’48-51 Historian, the American Roentgen Ray Society Bloomfield Hills, Mich.   Class act To the Editor: Thank you for the most recent update on the traditional second year class show. It has been almost 30 years since the Class of 1972 performed in Guaiac Positive to rave reviews. After all these years the memories of the skits, the songs and the class shenanigans directed toward the “New Curriculum” of 1968 stand out as some of the most unforgettable and enjoyable episodes of my Yale experience. (How often in a medical career does one get to lampoon his professors, portray immunologist Byron Waksman and be applauded at the same time?) Kudos and congratulations to the most recent keepers of the tradition. Indeed, I hope that in 2028 the current class can look back on this bonding experience with their colleagues with the same fondness and joy that my classmates and I share now. Lawrence P. Temkin, M.D. ’72, HS ’72-77 Tucson, Ariz.   Yale should divest itself of tobacco stocks To the Editor: It was discouraging to learn of the Yale Corporation’s April decision not to divest its considerable holdings in tobacco stocks. I urge the medical school to lobby in favor of divestiture. Physicians need to be more outspoken about the dangers of alcohol and cigarettes. The late Dr. John Knowles, former president of the Rockefeller Foundation, said we could cut the nation’s health bill by 50 percent if everyone stopped smoking and drinking! My father graduated from the School of Medicine in 1934 and our family enjoys your magazine. Edward T. O’Donnell Jr. Wilmington, Del.   Longevity and talent To the Editor: Like Helen Langner (A Life of Engagement, Summer 1998), I grew up in Milford and know the Langner family. While Helen was admired and revered, she was not the only talented member of the family. Her “kid brother” Gustave, now 94, who was consulted for your article, is a competitive swimmer and still wins senior titles internationally. If Dr. Langner were of the modern generation, she would probably say: “Our talent must be in our genes.” David Rosenbaum, B.A. ’47 Milford, Conn. < top of page >   Originally published in Yale Medicine, Fall 1998. Copyright © 1998 Yale University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.