Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-14
Hon. James &. Blaine Frustrated by
SunStrOke.


morning, short time before ] clock
ex-Speaker Blaine left his residence,
in company with Mrs. Blaine, and
slowly walked to the Congregational
Church, about three-f, urths of a mile
from their home. Just as they reach
ed the church he complained of a
severe pain IN his lead and dizziness
at the same time placing his hand upon
it. Entering the vestibule he was so
overcome with sudden illness that be
came near falling, but this was preven-
Ted, and he was assisted to seat on
the steps, when he exclaimed: "Oh,
this painW A conveyance having been
procured, Mrs. Blaine returned home
with him. he then being unconscious.
A bed was brought into the front par
lor, on which be was laid, and mes
seDger having been sent for Surgeon
General Barnes and Drs. Bliss, Cox.
Verdi and Pope, they soon appeared
and lost no time in cupping the spine
and resorting to other counter-irrltants
and revulsive enemata. From ii
o'clock till 4 in the afternoon Blaine
lay unconscious, breathing irregularly,
his wife aud physicians and other
friends remaining at his bedside all the
time. The physicians say that Mr..
Blaine was suffering from hyper excite
ment of the brain and nervous system
superinduced by the recent events in
which he was prominent actor. Be-
sides the symptoms were aggravated
by the weather, which to-day was op
pressive.
1t will be recollected that several
weeks ago Mr. Blaine was confined to
his house some days by slow type of
malarial fever, but appeared before the
judiciary Committee, who were inves-
tigating the charges against him, be.
fore he had fully recovered from the
effects of the disease. This, with the
excitement on his part both before the
committee and in the House, the large
number of persons daily in correspon-
dence with him, and his attention to an
extensive correspondence, including
very many kilograms from all over the
country, especially during the past
week, the loss of rest. and other causes,
produced the strain upon his mind that
caused his sudden illness to-day.
At about O'Clock Mr.. Blaine's
consciousness gradually returned when
he recognized his wife and inquired
what was the matter. She replied he
was i'll, and after that he for the first
time turned over ia bed unaded. His
breathing now was better and his pulse
was stronger. The enema produced
some effect, but not to the extent de
sired, and therefore the doctors applied
electricity. They say the symptoms
are favorable, although he does not APP
pear fully restored to consciousness.
This evening one of them said in PRIV
ate conversation that the attack was
clearly case OF sunstroke or heat
stroke, to which Mr.. Blaine was rem
dered liable on account of his recent
illness, overwork, excitement, and loss
of rest. A physician further said that
at first he was appreheDsive that the
attack might be apoplectic, but exam
ination disclosed no symptoms of that
disease.
For several hours numerous visitors
were admitted, but after the doctors
had administered the enema the rooms
were closed, so that the patient might
rest. DR.. G. W. Pope, an eminent
practitioner of this city, who has been
Mr.. Blsine's family physician in Wash
ington during the past eight years, and
is intimately acquainted with his con-
stitution and temperament, furnishes
the following diagnosis OF his condi-
ton:
cat 8 o'clock this evening Mr.
Blaine's case is one of simple cerebral
depression, produced primarily by great
mental strain, and secondarily by ac-
ton of the excessive heat; there is no
apoplectic congestion or effusion, nor
any symptom Of paralysis; he has free
use of bis limbs; the pupils of the
eyes are normal; he has spoken sever
al-times, and recognizes his family; he
lies quiet, breathes naturally, and is
disposed to sleep; has responded ex-
cellently to treatment, and [ have
every reason to anticipate a speedy and
complete recovery. G.. W. Pope"
| At $3.50 p. NJ. DR.. Bliss remarked
that the patients attack was yielding
to treatment with remarkable rapidity
WASHINGTON. D. g., June 49,
The following bulletin was issued al
8 o'clock this morning by Drs Verd
and Pope:
GAS we predicted, Mr.. Blaine ;:
condition greatly improved during the
night. He expresses all his wants
now. A good sleep refreshed him
very much, and on awakening, at Z
o'clock in the morning, he asked fo1
crackers and butter, which he relish
ed amazingly. DR.. Verdi watched
during the night, and found hin
| ,looo;,, norroo1l, M NJ.