New-York tribune., 1877-01-05
HISTORY OF THE FATAL SICKNESS.

HISTORY OF THE FATAL SICKNESS.
Since the beginning Of his illness Commodore
Vanderbilt has been attended by DIS Jared Lmsiy
and T. Elliott. DR.. GescGeidt, who was also CON
staut in attendance upon him, died some months
AGO Several of the most eminent physicians in the
city were frequently summoned in consultation.
Dr. Linsly has been the CommOdore's family physl-
clan for many years, and accompanied him i'll the
crIis in his steamship Star of the North Dr. Linsly
tribune ropOrtc yesterday that his PATIENTS
death was consequent upon exhaustion due To can
cerous disease of the intcsnes. In April 1876, the
disease had made such progress that the Commodore
was confined to the house, and from that time he
did not leave il. The most distinguished physicians
and surgeons were consulted III regard TO his case,
and the opinion unanimous that It's taIA
termination could be only question of time. This
made it clear that all that medical science could ac-
complish was to support his failing vitality and
make his descent to the grave as gradual and
easy As possible. From the middle OF Nay he
has stood upon his feet only once, and has occupied
hi, bed or a reclining chair to which he Las been
moved by his attendants. During the early part OF iis
sickness he suffered greatly from Inflammation OF
the bladder or cystitis. These attacks were par
oxysInal and accompanied by intense pain. a con-
siderable period Of exhaustion always folio" e them,
and il was feared that some unusually severe par
oxysn might he induced that would result IN death.
IL Mlil be TclnCinDeEU tndl dittt 4dot
August. a chill set in. and it was then feared that
tbepatient would not live "a hours longer, bat his
extraordinary constitution enabled him t0raly from
this attacl and in q short time afterwaTd lie was
pronoupcsd to be out OF immediate danger. As the
fatal eancerous growth made progress, the cy tits
diminished in violence, and the paroXysn ceased 10
b. regarded as menacmg life
The greatest attention has been paid 10 the sup
port of the patients strength to enable the system
to resist the rapidly encr0acbug disease much
possible and also to delay that exhaustion which is
ALWAYS result Of a canCerOus invasion, and which
at length causes death. The appetite of the sick
man was carefully watched, aud his life WAS pro-
longcd by the plentiful Use of proper food. His
system did not seem to succub to the influences of
the disease until about eight weeks previous 10 his
DEATH Then his physicians noticed that be began
TO SINK slowly but continuously from day u day,
losing strength in spite of the redoubed efforts 10
stay the ebbng tide Of life. During the past week
il was expected that he might die at any moment.
His vital force had become greatly reduced,
and no response was made 10 the efforts
epDloyed to stimulate his shaking powers.
For the last three hours of bis life ii difficult for
him 10 sneak About five minutes before he bTeathed
his last be closed his eyes DIR. Linsy regarded this
ss a most remarkable occurrence, as q ing person
very rarely has the power of controlling the action
of be muscles of the eyeds He died 80 Gnetly that
only the physieians in attendance knew for several
minutes that life had gone An autopsy Is to he