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The text below, related to Bush's annual physical examinations as President,
is from White House press releases in
1989,
1990,
1991, and
1992.
May 10, 1989 -- Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Results of
the President's Physical Examination [11a]:
President Bush today completed a routine physical examination at Bethesda
Naval Hospital and is in excellent health. The President's examination
lasted approximately 3 hours. The physical was under the direction of
Dr. Burton Lee, the President's personal physician.
``President Bush is in extremely sound physical condition,'' Dr. Lee
said. ``He keeps fit through a number of physical activities, which we
recommend he continue on a regular basis. Today's examination shows him
to be in excellent health. He has no significant symptoms related to any
of his organ systems.''
In general, the results of the tests are as follows: chest x ray, normal;
x rays of hips show mild degenerative osteoarthritis, which has been present
for several years; eye and ear examinations, unchanged; electrocardiogram
(EKG), normal; urinalysis shows no abnormalities; blood samples all appear
normal; allergy tests showed excellent protective antibody levels; and
dermatology examination showed no significant problem or change.
A sebaceous cyst on the third finger of his right hand was drained.
The President is wearing a Band-Aid on the finger, which he can remove
within the next few hours. This cyst has been present for many years and
does not present a medical problem.
Assisting Dr. Lee from the physician staff of Bethesda Naval Hospital
were Capt. Ralph Sawyer, ophthalmologist; Capt. Kevin O'Connell, urologist;
Capt. Harry Parlette, dermatologist; and Capt.'s Cheryl Rosenblatt and
William Ebbeling, allergists.
The physical examination had been announced in a press release the day before [11b]:
President Bush will undergo a routine physical examination at Bethesda
Naval Hospital at approximately 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 1989. The
President will depart the White House aboard Marine One at 7:50 Wednesday
morning and return following the examination at approximately 12:30 p.m.
The President will undergo the following tests: chest x ray, hearing
tests, eye examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), allergy examination,
urinalysis, dermatology examination, and a complete history and personal
examination by Dr. Burton Lee, the President's personal physician. Dr.
Lee has taken several blood samples earlier in the week which will be
analyzed as part of the examination.
The entire physical will be under the direction of Dr. Lee with assistance
from the physician staff of Bethesda Naval Hospital, which will include
Capt. Ralph Sawyer, ophthalmologist; Capt. Kevin O'Connell, urologist;
Capt. Harry Parlette, dermatologist; and Capt.'s Cheryl Rosenblatt and
William Ebbeling, allergists. A written description of the results will
be available Wednesday afternoon.
April 12, 1990 -- Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's
Physical Examination [11c]:
President Bush today completed a routine physical examination at Bethesda
Naval Hospital and is in excellent health. The President's examination
lasted approximately 4 hours. The physical was conducted under the direction
of Dr. Burton Lee, the President's personal physician.
``President Bush is in truly excellent health,'' Dr. Lee said. ``He
continues to keep extremely fit through vigorous physical activities.''
An early glaucoma of his left eye was detected. Extensive visual testing
revealed no loss of any aspect of his visual acuity. He will receive betagan
eye drops, 1 drop every 12 hours, and will continue this medication permanently.
He has had a stye in his right eye for the past week, which is almost
resolved as the result of treatments with soaks and antibiotics.
Among his test results are: chest x-ray, normal; x-rays of hips and
neck, mild degenerative osteoarthritis; electrocardiogram (EKG) and stress
tests, normal; urinalysis, no abnormalities; blood tests, completely normal,
including cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein levels; dermatology,
no significant problem or change; and his allergy problems remain minimal
and unchanged.
Assisting Dr. Lee from the physician staff at Bethesda Naval Hospital
were Comdr. Steven Fagan, radiologist; Comdr. Boyd Robinson, dentist;
Capt. Bruce Lloyd, cardiologist; Capt. Kevin O'Connell, urologist; Capt.
Ralph Sawyer, ophthalmologist; Capt. Ted Parlette, dermatologist; Comdr.
Tom Jamison, rheumatologist; and Capt. William Ebbeling, allergist.
March 27, 1991 -- Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's
Physical Examination [11d]:
President Bush today completed a routine physical examination at Bethesda
Naval Hospital and is in excellent health. The President's examination
lasted approximately 5 hours. The physical was conducted under the direction
of Dr. Burton Lee, the President's personal physician.
``The President continues in excellent health,'' Dr. Lee said. ``There
were no surprises at the physical exam. He remains an extraordinarily
vigorous man who continues to thrive on a great deal of physical activity
and a rigorous, demanding work schedule.''
Ophthalmologists continue to test the President for any progression
of his glaucoma, but his condition remains stable. No treatment appears
to be indicated at the present time.
Among his other test results are: chest x-ray, normal; x-rays of hips
and neck, mild degenerative osteoarthritis; electrocardiogram (EKG) and
stress test, normal; urinalysis, no abnormalities; normal urologic exam;
colonoscopy within normal limits; blood tests completely normal, including
cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein levels; dermatology, no significant
problem or change; and his allergy problems remain minimal and unchanged.
Note: The statement referred to Burton J. Lee III, Physician to the
President.
March 27, 1991 -- Question-and-Answer Session With Reporters in Bethesda,
Maryland [11e]:
Q. How did it go? Any problems?
The President. Perfect go.
Q. Is that right?
The President. Yes.
Q. What took so long?
The President. Ask Burt. Do you want an official statement? We'll give
you Burt Lee.
Q. Want to know how you feel.
The President. Feel good. Look, I'm not going to go into any details.
I'll leave this to -- --
Q. We want to know all the details.
The President. You do not. No, it's fine. It's very good.
Q. Was it a complete physical?
The President. Yes, total, everything.
Q. It was fun?
The President. I didn't say fun. [Laughter] Just had a nice lunch out
here.
Q. What did you eat?
The President. I hate to tell you because you'll think I'm an elitist.
[Laughter] Lobster. No, it went very well, very well.
Q. What did they say about your glaucoma?
The President. Better. Burt, the eyes are better than last year, right?
Dr. Lee. Yes, the same if not better.
The President. The same if not better.
Q. Are you taking -- --
The President. It's all right, under control.
Q. What took so long, Mr. President? It seemed like it took longer --
--
The President. Eyeballs. Eyeballs.
Dr. Lee. And an excellent lunch.
The President. Nice lunch. And lack of a desire to go back to work.
[Laughter]
Q. Why is that?
The President. Because I enjoy it -- he's so darn nice -- the admiral
and his troops are wonderful. No, it went very well. So did Barbara. Barbara
got a good, clean bill of health yesterday. Well, she has her Graves'
problem, but it's much better than would have been expected. So, anyway
-- --
Q. Lobster is not good for the cholesterol.
The President. Well, I don't have a cholesterol problem.
Dr. Lee. Absolutely none.
The President. I'm lucky, really.
Q. What test results are you still waiting for? Do you have any?
Dr. Lee. Well, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], the
consultants will be coming back to us within the next 2 weeks, and you'll
be informed.
Q. On what?
Q. -- -- anything like that?
Dr. Lee. No. Everything is perfectly normal.
The President. When you were sick I didn't inquire this much into your
health. [Laughter]
[Questions about Iraq edited out]
The President. Listen, I've got to run. Any more physical questions? [Laughter] Would
you like some pictures?
Q. What was your favorite test? [Laughter]
The President. We're thinking of releasing some beauties here.
Q. Did they recommend anything for you to do?
The President. I refer all this to my doctor in whom I have total confidence,
Dr. Burton Lee.
Q. -- -- slow down?
Q. Did he suggest to cut down on travel?
Q. More power walks?
The President. Yes. Yes, everything.
Note: The exchange began at 1:45 p.m. on the grounds of Bethesda Naval
Hospital. During the exchange, President Bush referred to Burton J. Lee
III, Physician to the President; Rear Adm. Donald Hagen, commander of
the National Naval Medical Center ... A tape was not available for verification of
the content of this exchange.
August 2, 1991 -- Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Health [11f]:
As the President mentioned in his press conference today, he had a routine
examination this morning by his personal physician, Dr. Burton Lee. Dr.
Lee reports that the President is in excellent health. There are no changes
in the President's medication.
The President continues to recover from Graves disease and his treatment
and response are normal. The President maintains a vigorous and healthy
physical regimen. His work habits are normal and reflect his good health.
March 26, 1992 -- Statements by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's
Physical Examination [11g]: The President is in great shape. He completed a routine physical examination
today at Bethesda Naval Hospital and is in excellent health. The President's
examination lasted approximately 4 hours. The physical was conducted under
the direction of Dr. Burton Lee, the President's personal physician. ``The
President remains in excellent health,'' Dr. Lee said. ``He will continue
his normal busy work schedule and physical activity.''
Ophthalmologists continue to test the President for the raised pressure
in his left eye, but his condition remains stable and there is no evidence
of any development of glaucoma signs or symptoms. No treatment is indicated
at the present time.
Among his test results are: chest x-ray, normal; x-rays of hips and
neck, mild degenerative osteoarthritis; electrocardiogram (EKG), normal;
urinalysis, no abnormalities; normal urologic exam; blood tests completely
normal including cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein levels; and
dermatology, no significant problem or change. There is no evidence of
any heart disease. His thyroid function remains completely normal, on
Synthroid .15 milligrams a day.
[Later in the day, Press Secretary Fitzwater issued the following additional
statement on the President's physical examination.]
The President's physical checkup this morning showed no evidence of
skin cancer. However, the doctors did ``freeze'' with liquid nitrogen
four very minute keratoses on the President's face. These will appear
as small dark spots on the President's face and will disappear within
a few days. The President has had keratoses removed on previous occasions
over the years.
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