Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-08-31
Ben HIPS Illness.

TO. Hill, OF Georgia, writes to the Phil
adelphia Press as follows: 1t was my
high privilege to have enjoyed Mr..
HILLS friendship almost from the day
he entered congress until he died.
When he resolved to come north in
search of medical advice, | met him
by appointment at the Continental no.
tel. Noting that his countenance wore
a rather troubled expression, VEN
tured to remark that perhaps he was
not feeling well. His own words ex-
pressed his condition better than any
words of mine can:
81 am i'll deep trouble he said. 81
| have lust come from New York, where
/ have beer consulting with the emil
nent DR.. Wood. He tells me have
cancer of the mouth" Then, after a
pause, as if still having hope, "but af-
ter all he did not make a thorough ex-
animation, and said that the micro
scope was needed to determine the ex-
tent of the evil, so l have come to
Philadelphia for that purpose"
"When did you first notice the
trouble?" | asked.
about three years ago / discovered
an insignificant pimple on my tongue,
but not for year afterward did give
it any particular attention. | consulted
my physicians at home. They thought
nothing of the matter, suggesting. how
ever, that / should consult eminent
medical authority, and among others
DR.. Gross, of this city. While in New
York that year consulted DR.. Bayard,
skilled homeopathist. He called it
an ulcer, and began treatment for the
same, denying that had anything like
cancer. | followed his treatment until
this year. Since the adjournment of
the senate it has given me considerable
trouble, and by the advice of my SON
in.law, DR.. Ridley, l have come north
for treatment, and intend consulting
DR.. Gross"
After some further conversation and
to my inquiry whether any of his fam
lily was with him, he said: mo, aud
no one is to know of this until after
the consultation, or if need be, until
the knife has done its work"
Senator Hill kept his appointment.
| awaited his return. A deeper shade
overspread his face as he entered the
apartment. "a cancer" said he. The
operation took place at the hospital at
/ o'clock.
DIR. Gross and DR.. w. H. Pancoast
made the examination. After a mo-
ment's consultation DR.. Gross said to
me: Senator. do you wish me to
tell you exactly what is the matter
with your
81 do.'
"Well, sir, you have cancer of the
tongue"
"What is the remedy"
"There is only one"
"And that is?"
"The knife"
"Will a permanent cure be the re-
sult?"
Chat is problematical 1t may re-
turn and it may not"
''Is there any danger of fatal results
from the operation
"There is always more or less danger.
Erysipelas may set in; hemorrhage
may take place, the shock may pro
duce death"
"What have you concluded to do'' |
asked, as Senator Hill paused.
Operation in the hospital at one
o'clock" he replied" At that hour
Senator Hill met Drs. Gross and Pan
coast at the hospital and accompani-
ed him. DR.. Gross. who was to per-
form the operation, was dressed in q
dismal looking robe of dark rubber,
buttoned close to the neck. DR.. Pam
coast stood at his side, and several
young physicians in attendance.
Turning to the doctors, he said /:
Gentlemen, this is a serious matter
for me; 90 what you have to do thor
oughly, and leave nothing there that
ought to come out"
! never saw such perfect com DOS
ure in man. He took the chances Of
life with heroic courage. When he
had finished his Injunction to the sur
gcons, with the utmost GOODNESS he set
tied himself upon the operating table
A young physician began applying the
chloroform. 1t was no long task to
bring the great powerful man under
its influence, and 1t was several min
utes before DR.. Goss began the opera
ton. A section OF the tongue and
that portion of the floor of the mouth
tainted by the cancer were removed.
1t was some time before the dis
tinguished patient recovered from
the effects of the cnloroform. He
could not be Immediately removed
but as soon as possible was placed in a
reclining chair and carried to an upper
story Ct the hospital, where he re-
NAMED for some time. For two
nights and days sat by his side, and
he was a brave and hopeful patient.
After the operation, his family were,
according 70 his instructions, apprised
of his condition.
When the senate met the winter
after the operation Senator Hill had 50
far recovered that he not only took bis
seat, but was able to make speech Of
considerable length without much
difficulty. Both ne and all who knew
him hoped and believed th"t would
fully recover, and that many wears of
usefulness were still before him. The
condition Of the senator's health, how
ever, was only improved Tor 2 season.
He afterward went through two more
iZuor,.s0,. tb,o pitu From tUp-p