The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-12
MIR. BLAINE ILL.
ASudden and Serious Attack.
THE RESULT OF OVER-EXER-
TION.
His Condition More Favorable at
Last Accounts.

WASHINGTON, June 11.-Ths morning,
short time before II o'clock, ex-Speaker Blaine
lett his residence in company with Mrs. Blaine
and walked slowly to the Congregational church,
which Is about three-fourths of a mile from
their home. Just as they reached the church he
complained oil severe pain in his head and
dizziness and at the same time placing his
hand upon it. Entering the vestibule The was
so overcome with sudden illness that he came
near falling, but this was prevented AMI he was
assisted to a seat on the steps when he exclaim-
ed, ooh, this pain A conveyance having
been procured Mrs, Blaine returned home with
him, he being then unconscious. A bed was
brought into the front parlor on which he was
laid, and messengers having been sent for Sur
geon General Barnes and Drs. Bliss, Cox, Yer
di and Pope, they soon appeared and lost no
time in cupping the spine and resorting to other
counter lrritants and revulsive enamata. From
II o'clock in the morning till in the afternoon
Mr., Blaine lay unconscious, breathing irregu-
larly, his wife and physicians and other friends
remaining at his bedside all that time.
The physicians said that Mr.. Blaine was suf
fering from hyper excitement of the brain ard
the nervous system, superinduced by the recent
events in which he was prominent actor. Be-
sides, the symptoms We're aggravated by the
weather, which today was oppressive. 1t will
be recollected that several weeks ago Mr..
Blaine was confined to his house several days
| by slow type of malarial fever but appeared
before the sub-Judiciary Committee who were
investigating the charges against him before
he had fully recovered frem the effects of that
disease. This, with the excitement on his part
both before the committee and in the House,
| the large number Of persons daily in confer
ence with him. and his attention to extensive
correspondence, including very many kilograms
from all parts of the country, especially during
the past week. the loss of rest or other causes
produced the strain upon his mind that caused
his sudden illness today,
Secretary Bristow called at the house as soon
| as he heard of Mr.. Blaine's illness, and also
| Secretaries Fish, Robson, Chandler and Gen.
Jewell, Gen. Sherman, Senators Ferry and
| Paddock, Gen: Garfield and other gentlemen of
| prominence. The sympathy for Mr.. Blaine was
| not confined to political friends. many Demo-
| Gratis having called to enquire as to his condi-
| ton and regretting lis sudden illness. About
a o'clock this afternoon Mr. Baine's conscious
| ness gradually returned, when he recognized
| his wife and inquired Of her what was the mat
| ter, and she replied he was i'll, and after that
he for the first time turned over on his bed I'M
| aided. His breathing now was better and his
| pulse stronger. The anema produced some
effect but not to the extent desired, and, there
fore, the doctor applied electricity. They
| say the symptoms are favorable, although he
| does not appear fully restored to consciousness.
This evening one of them said in private con-
versation that the attack was clearly case of
| sunstroke or heatstroke, to which Mr.. Blaine
| was liable on account of his recent illness, ov-
| erwork excitement and loss of rest. The ply
| stefan further said that at first he was appre-
henslve that the attack might be apoplectic,
| but an examination disclosed no symptoms of
| that disease.
For several hours numerous visitors were adj
| mitted, but after the doctors had administered
| the anema the rooms were cleared so the pa
| tient might rest. DIR. W. G. Pope, an eminent
practitioner of this city, who has been Mr..
Blaines family physician in Washington DUR
ing the past eight or ten years. and is intimate
| ly acquainted with his constitution and temper
ament, furnishes the following diagnosis of his
| condition at eight o'clock this evening: Mr..
| Blaine's case is one of simple cerebral depres-
| sion, produced primarily by great mental strain
| and by the action of excessive heat. There is
| no apoplectic congestion or effusion, nor any
| symptom of paralysis. He has free use of his
limbs. The pupils of the eyes are normal. He
has spoken several times and recognizes his
| family. He lies quiet breathes naturally and
| is disposed to Sleep Has responded excellent
| ly to treatment, and I have every reason to an.
| ticipate speedy and complete recovery
(Signed,) G. w. Pore.
At $50 pm. Dr. Bliss remarked that the pa
| tents attack was yielding to treatment with
| remarkable rapidity.
Blaine this evening from Congressman Hale,
at Cincinnati:
"Great relief at favorable news of Mr..
Blaine's condition. Tell him that his cause
has improved all day, each state coming in bet
ter than we expected. No wonder he had
bad turn, the strain has been tremendous
Midnght.-Mr. Blaines condition is ur-
changed.