the opportunity to correct his illusions of the 1950s in the way he had corrected earlier ones
when there was more time for peaceful reflection.
At the end of April 1955 Reich left Tucson, arriving back at Orgonon in early May.
The expedition suffered one casualty. Robert McCullough had a stroke in Arizona attributed
by both Reich and McCullough himself to his cloud-busting work so he withdrew and went
home to Utah to recover. His relationship with Reich remained amicable.
Not long after Reich’s return to Orgonon a new blow struck, one that he had court-
ed. On June 16, Peter Mills, at the request of the FDA, instituted contempt of injunction
charges against Reich in the U.S. District Court for the state of Maine. On the same day,
Judge Clifford issued an order to the defendants—now Reich, Silvert, and the Foundation—
to appear in court on July 26, 1955, to show cause why legal proceedings should not be ini-
tiated against them.
28 : The FDA Injunction and Reich’s Responses: 1951-1955 403