New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-04
Why GAMBkTTA DIED.

IL is stated by the surgeons who performed tho
autopsy upon Ganbetta that his death caused
by porityphilits. which is defined by Niemeyer to
be Inflammation of the connective tissue which at
taches the ascending colon-tbe large intestne-to
the lilac fascia This report adds another disease
10 the complication Of maladies which have been
attributed 10 the dead statesman. The truth ap-
pears to be that he was physically In such UNI
healthy condition that 1t needed only slight inn
mediate cause TO bring him low. Some twenty
years ago no dangerously i'll with
maarial fever. His country residence, where
he has been during his sickness, stands
on low. damp ground, with stagnant water near by
and is considerably below the level OF the Vile
dAvray railway station. which ia close at hand.
During his illness he was attacked with shivering
fits, which woud seem TO indicate that his old
malaral troubles had been revived by his surround
ings. This was factor. but the most important
cause OF his physical condition his devotion to
gourmdndise. Gambetta was emphaticaly what
Ia termed high liver. He was incorporate only In
eating. He was never accused Of undue fondness
for wne but he poweress to resist any daintIes
which tempted his palate. Years Of such living
reduced him to gross unhealthy state In which he
was a ready victim to disease, while more specific
result was his aflcton with disorders Of the kid
neys and liver
IA
by excuses the pistol wound which Gambetta re-
ceived would have proved comparative trhe. But
to Gambetts the wound was fraught with the great
est danger; first, account OF the shock, and.
secondly, from the necessity OF abandoning
cise man of Gambettas full habit and voraciousN
appetite needed daily exercise as an essential
hygenio measure, and TO exchange 1t for close con-
iinement was q source of peril. especially
since. according TO the reports, no per-
sisted In neglecting his physicians regulations
for his diet The result was soon seen in a morbid
condition which was manifested in the usual signs
Of blood-poisoning tLs more immediate cause OF
which was probably connected with the sufferers
kidney troubles and other disorders seated in the
abdominal cavity. This blood-posoning or septi-
cgnia probabyproducedp erityphilitis, or to speak
more properly, perltyphilltis appears to,haye been
its most aggravated local manifestation. Niemeyer
states that perityplts often late in septi-
cemia, being then chased rs metastatic intam-
nation. He continues: " Sometimes tho exuda-
ton is absorbed and the disease ends in recovery,
but more often the Inflammation leads to ditfuse
necrosis of the inaned connective tissue and large
assesses form Lastly, the contents of the abscess
escape into the abdomen. causing perltonits."
This would appear TO have been the case with Gam
beta. But the indirect of his death was the
condition of body which from his high living
No Importance is to be attached to his asthmatio
Affections TO the existence of varicose veins,
save as the former prevented the use of an@s-
thetics. and the latter indicated sluggish and I'M
healthy state of Etho circulation. Gambetta was
himself largely responsible for the death which fol-
lowed so quickly upon an Insignificant exciting
cause.
1t is worth remembering that James A. Garfield
fought for eighty days against the effects of terri
Bile wound. struggling bravey on while subj 10