ABSTRACT
In May 1922, when Lenin suffered his first stroke, Stalin was vitally interested in obtaining Lenin's support. At the time of the second stroke in December 1922, the quarrel between Lenin and Stalin had begun. In January 1924, Stalin's motive to kill Lenin was considerably weaker than it had been during March 1923, but it still existed. The following deductions may be made from this story. First, Lenin discerned a suspect taste in his food or he felt ill immediately after eating; second, he probably consumed only the first breakfast; third, counter-indicated medicine was given to him in weak doses only: otherwise, Lenin would not have been capable of moving about, let alone writing a readable note; and fourth, he still was in a relatively strong physical condition. In three out of four strokes Lenin's health broke down at the precise moment when his incapacitation served Stalin's purposes. The fourth stroke was preceded by a distinct amelioration in Lenin's condition.
