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Gus Kappler MD FACS
a book bubble about
ONE DEGREE
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Author Insight
#13) Matt's Conundrum
Our blood has red and white cells. The red cells contain hemoglobin. This entity binds with oxygen that passes from microscopic air sacs (alveoli) into capillaries that cluster around the alveoli. Oxygen, delivered by the red cells, is necessary for the body's systems to function. The hemoglobin then scrubs the carbon dioxide exhaust from the body's metabolism and delivers it to the lungs for elimination. White cells exist to protect us from bacterial and viral infections. The structure and function of the macrophage are well defined. It identifies the invasive agent and approaches, entraps, and neutralizes the intruder. Matt Rogowicz, a lab tech at Walter Reed Army Hospital, identifies distorted, vesicle packed, engorged macrophages in Private Richard Burrows' blood. He reports his finding to Major Grossman, who, following his consultations, considers Matt's discovery not to have significance. Specialist Rogowicz believes the abnormal macrophage contributed to private Burrows' demise. He begins to deplore his choice of not being more aggressive in advocating his conviction. But he is trapped in a military culture that dictates one's subjugation to a superior officer. When Matt learns of subsequent deaths related to the same abnormal macrophage, he is overwhelmed with guilt for not speaking out. Matt Rogowicz produced Wounds We Feel at Home, an Albany, NY area PBS Vietnam documentary in which I participated. https://www.wmht.org/woundswefeelathome/
Book Excerpt
ONE DEGREE
On Burrows’ smear from two weeks preceding his death, a lab tech, Specialist Matt Rogowicz, had noticed a variety of infection-fighting white blood cells called macrophages that seemed to be distorted and filled with engorged sacs called vesicles. These white cells’ intended activity was to engulf and kill invading bacteria. How could they be in this abnormal state? He wondered if they were dangerous to the patient’s health.
He had consulted Major Mike Grossman, the attending hematologist at Walter Reed, who was a little put out with Matt’s intrusion into his office, and asked, “Sir, what do you make of these white cells? Are they dangerous?” Matt added, “No other lab techs have reported this abnormality in subsequent smears of Private Burrows’ blood.”
This oddity was new to the Major. “I don’t know what these are,” he replied to Matt in a more civil tone.
Dr. Grossman, in turn, consulted the world-renowned experts at the nearby Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). After a lengthy discussion, the examining expert hematologists at AFIP admitted never having encountered this white cell presentation and could not render an opinion to explain its origin or significance.
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