William B. Shalleck, Ventilator Shaft Meteor, Is Slowly Recovering After Two Week Delirium

William B. Shalleck '39 is recovering as rapidly as can be expected after his fall in the ventilator shaft in Matthews, in which he suffered a compound fracture of his right arm, a dislocated shoulder, and a severe concussion which left him unconscious for five days, and delirious for two weeks more. He is under the care of the brain specialist, Dr. Munroe, at the Boston City Hospital, where he was taken on October 27, at the time of the accident.

"I have absolutely no recollection of how it happened," said Shalleck, "and I can't remember anything for three days before that; I am only glad it wasn't worse. The first thing I remember after that was waking up here, about a week ago."

According to his nurse, while he was delirious he often became obsessed with the idea that his room was full of chickens and rabbits, and he made frantic attempts to drive them out. The concussion also affected his eyes, she said, and he will not be able to read until the lenses in his glasses have been readjusted.

Although his arm is in an "aeroplane splint," which holds it at an angle over his head, and allows no movement of his shoulder or right side, and despite the prospect of from four to six weeks more flat on his back, he is in good spirits, and was able to see a funny side to his accident.

He hopes to return to college in February, but if he finds this impossible, he will enter the Freshman class next year.