Page 186 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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DOCTOR BOB’S NIGHTMARE

A co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The birth
of our Society dates from his first day of permanent
sobriety, June 10, 1935.
To 1950, the year of his death, he carried the A.A.
message to more than 5,000 alcoholic men and
women, and to all these he gave his medical services
without thought of charge.
In this prodigy of service, he was well assisted by
Sister Ignatia at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio,
one of the greatest friends our Fellowship will ever
know.

was born in a small New England village of
I about seven thousand souls. The general moral
standard was, as I recall it, far above the average. No
beer or liquor was sold in the neighborhood, except at
the State liquor agency where perhaps one might
procure a pint if he could convince the agent that he
really needed it. Without this proof the expectant
purchaser would be forced to depart empty handed
with none of what I later came to believe was the
great panacea for all human ills. Men who had liquor
shipped in from Boston or New York by express were
looked upon with great distrust and disfavor by most
of the good townspeople. The town was well sup­
plied with churches and schools in which I pursued
my early educational activities.
My father was a professional man of recognized
ability and both my father and mother were most

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