Search for books, articles, and more
Ritalin Prescription for Billie Holiday
Conason, Emil G. Prescription for Ritalin with note: Tabs Ritalin for “Billy [sic] Holiday McKay. New York. March 12, 1956.
Submitted for adoption by Sam Bessen
Original handwritten prescription from Billie Holiday’s doctor, Emil G. Conason, prescribing “Tabs Ritalin” for “Billy [sic] Holiday McKay / 133 W. 47 St” and dated March 12, 1956. Today, methylphenidate is the stimulant doctors most often prescribe for children with ADHD. It was first made in 1944 and marketed in 1954 as Ritalin. At first, it was used to treat conditions such as chronic fatigue and depression, the context in which it would have been prescribed to Holiday.