In Carthage Ruins: The Illness of Sir Winston Churchill at Carthage, December 1943

Abstract

This paper reviews Churchill's illness in Carthage in December 1943. It was characterised by fever that lasted 6 days, left lower lobe pneumonia and two episodes of atrial fibrillation. He was managed in a private villa by Lord Moran, his personal physician, with the assistance of two nurses and the expert advice of colleagues. Sulphadiazine and digitalis leaf were prescribed and Churchill recovered. It is remarkable that, despite the severity of his illness, he continued to direct the affairs of State from his bed.

Winston Churchill’s acute stroke in June 1953

“…1 Yet, when Moran 3 ( Figure 1) saw Churchill on 23 June, he concluded that Churchill was 'played outas he was at Cairo before the Carthage illness'. 13 'I thought his speech was slurred and a little indistinct. Twice I had to ask him to repeat what he had said .…”

“…Churchill's doctors Lord Moran (1882Moran ( -1977 Charles Wilson (Figure 1) 22 He treated Churchill for chest pain in December 1941 in Washington, 21 for pneumonia in London in February 1943, 23 for pneumonia and atrial fibrillation in Carthage in December 1943 13 and for pneumonia in London in August 1944. 23 Moran also treated Churchill in 1949 when he suffered his first stroke 15 and was primarily responsible for managing the further episodes of cerebrovascular disease in 1950-1952.…”

Winston Churchill: a left hemisphere stroke or possible focal seizure on 20 October 1956

“…For the next two days Churchill repeated his climb to inspect the progress of his new building. 13 Churchill's doctors 25 He treated Churchill for chest pain in December 1941 in Washington, 26 for pneumonia in London in February 1943, 27 for pneumonia and atrial fibrillation in Carthage in December 1943, 28 and for pneumonia in London in August 1944. 27 Moran also treated Churchill in 1949 when he suffered his first stroke 3 and was primarily responsible for managing the further episodes of cerebrovascular disease in 1950-1952, 4 his second stroke in 1953 5 and Churchill's recovery from it 6 and the cerebellar infarction in June 1955, again with an excellent recovery.…”

Sir Winston Churchill: pneumonia, pleurisy, jaundice and atrial fibrillation at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Chartwell, 1958

“…He became Churchill's doctor on 24 May 1940 and remained his personal physician until Churchill's death in 1965. 44 He treated Churchill for chest pain in December 1941 in Washington, 45 for pneumonia in London in February 1943, 46 for pneumonia and atrial fibrillation in Carthage in December 1943, 47 and for pneumonia in London in August 1944. 46 Moran also treated Churchill in 1949 when he suffered his first stroke 48 and was primarily responsible for managing the further episodes of cerebrovascular disease in 1950-1952 49 and second stroke in 1953.…”