The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-04
Mr.. Blaine'S Health.


friends an explicit denial of the stories
about his i'll health and depression of
spirits. On the contrary, he WAS never
more vigorous and robust, never more
buoyant. never more hopeful. As Mr..
B.aines health has for several Years
been q topic of great public interest. it
is no wonder that bulletins cOncernir q
it are frequently furnished and eagerly
real.
We fail now to recall any such re-
markable fluctuations in a distinguished
mans physical condition as Mr..
Blaine has. experienced within the past
few years. Bismarck's is often referred
to; but Bismarck's has steadily though
slowly declined. Gladstone holds his
own remarkably, but his vitality has run
along for years with scarcely a break.
But Mr.. Blaine's health enjoys the
pecul arity of recovering from one of
the severest strains VIII CHI it is almost
possible to put upon mans co1s,itu-
ton, and in spite Of which he still re-
tains, according to the very latest dis
patches, an elasticity of mind and body
that Young man in the very spring
time of existence, with the dew of life s
morning still upon him, might envy for
his own.
1t is now eight years last June since
Mr.. Blaine was Frustrated upon the
steps of church one Sunday morning
in Washington. The Republican Con-
vention was assembling at Cincinnati.
MIR. Blaine was prominent candidate.
A Congressional committee were in
quirino whether he had sold his position
in the Speakers chair ior money. They
had unearthed the famous Mulligan let
tiers, and Mulligan was to produce them
next dav. That evening Mr.. Blaine,
under promise of returning the letters,
which he never did, got them from Null
ligan's into his own possession.
The following day he read such of
them and such parts of them as he
chose 10 the House in open session. On
demand of the Investigating Commit
tee he refused to allow the committee
or anybody else to see the letters; and
so far as the public knows nobody to
this day ever has seen them. The COM
mittee then announced that it should
take steps to compel Mr.. Blaine to pro-
duce those letters, and the House adj
journed until Monday.
On Sunday the news was flashed over
the country that Mr.. Blaine had suf-
fered a sunstroke. Naturally much
sympathy was felt for him, and Sena-
tor Morton, of Indiana, who started the
investigation into Blaine railroad rec
ord, in order to iniure Bla mes chances
for the nomination, grimly remarked
that 1.-The effect at Cincinnati would be
favorable to Blaine if by Monday or
Tuesday it shall appear that the attack
is not serious. Although the attack
was severe, rendering him, as it was
reported, for many hours insensible, on
Tuesday he was sitting up reading dis
patches from Cincinnati; on Wednes-
day he telegraphed to Cine nnati that
he was entirely convalescent.
As rule sUnstrokes which render the
victims insensi lie for any great length
of time are very prostratfng. The vi =
tins rec over very slowly if they recover
at all-the mo tally Icing fifty per
cent. They are often afflicted, for a
long time afterwards, with symptoms
of paralysis, loss of memory and other
signs of weakness. They are some
IllucS cNpOScu tFcu 10 insanity anu
have TO assume an attitude of partial
invalidism, exercising great moderation
in every respect. In fac, sufferer
from a very severe sunstrOke ''hardly
ever" RECEIVERS wholly from the debility
and prostration which it causes. But so
far from affecting Mr.. Blaine in this I'M
fortunate manner. it would appear to
have reinvigorated him. He has scarce
ly forsaken public life snce he rose
from his bed. Winter and summer he
has pursued a very active and vigorous
career in political management and
official duty. He has compiled a large
and laboriouS vo'ume. He has con-
Quoted preliminary ''caucusing" TO
his successful nomination, and appar-
emily entering a Presidential campaign
with the health and strength of young
bear rather than as man who on lay
insensible and helpless under the pierre
ing sword draws of midsummer sun.
The case is very interesting to the
medical profession as well as to the
public, and it is no wonder that. under
the circumstances, his friends lay so
much stress upon his super-aboundinS
health. democrat Exchange.