The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-07-14
FIrFuLLY VICIOUS DISEASE.
Surprising Change for the Better in
Gen. Grants Condition.
Affected Parts Looking Better and
the Symptoms Improved.

Mt. McGREGoR, N. Y, July 13.-Ihe
week opens pleasantly for Gen. Grant Al
ter yesterdays exceptional rest and quiet he
passed a comparatively good night, awaken
ing only two or three times and enjoying, Tor
him, long stretches of sleep. At 8 o'clock
this morning, when DR.. Douglass went to
the sick room the General seemed really re-
freshed, and evidently felt so, for his. good
humor was almost playful. He said he
thought he would try to get more sleep dur
ing the morning. DR.. Douglass did not take
his pulse then, but he had taken it when he
had visited him in the night, and thought 1t
showed more volume than for several days
past 1t remains quite as good this morning
the doctor thinks. Improvement is necessa-
rily slight. The aim since last Wednesday
has been to restore the General to the eondi-
tion in which he was when he consented to
receive the Mexican editors He was then
at the height of a very encouraging rally,
feeling better than for week or two preced-
ing, His condition today is far from what it
was, but it has Enthusiastically taken an up
ward turn, and for such a change DR.. Doug
lass has been laboring since Wednesday. The
General says that he means now to save his
strength. That is what the doctor has al
ways advised him, for his case has proven
nothing so clearly as that he is not fit for
real exertion. The weather today is mild,
and probably he may venture out this after
noon, but the greater part of the day will no
doubt be given to rest. DR.. Shrady will
come today, so that DR.. Douglass may be re-
heved for a few days from constant attend
ance on the General.
The fitfully vicious disease of cancer has
seldom developed change SO remarkable as
that which marks the closing hours of Gen.
Grants first month on the mountain. Satur-
day he was sadly depressed in spirits, but to-
day he said he felt bright and anxious to
work; Saturday his voice was husky, rat
tling whisper, and today he conversed orally
with a clear voice; Saturday he was listless
a1,d i1,di IN nd ah
him. and today he was frequently droll in his
remarks, and humorous in his SallieS with
those near him. This sudden change appar
entity for the better has caused earnest COM
ment and laymen are jumping to the conclu-
sion that Gen. Grant will recover. The doc
tors however, say this sharp revulsion from
shadow to light in so brief space of time, is
one of these changes that in themselves are
evidence OF cancer; and yet the record of the
last two days has not been made without
some surprise to the physicians in attend
ance.
The medical summary of the situation as
the patient closes his first month ON Mt Nc
Gregor is not disheartening. All the acciden-
tai infiltration seems to have subsidized, and
upon the outside of the neck, which was
swollen even with his cheek when the pa
tient came here, casual observer would
now note scarcely any enlargement. The af-
fected parts inside look better, and the symp-
toms at these points are improved, though
is observed granular phase and less ten
dency to bloody Spurt. No cocaine has been
used in the three days past, which is equiva-
lent to saying there is an abatement of pain
and mucous secretion. The only discomfort
now mentionable is that which has its seat
in the main sore at the base of the tongue,
although there have been some disturbing
symptoms in mares" within week, the pa
tient is now able to close his lips and breathe
through the nasal passages. The interior of
the throat looks clearer and in the three days
past has scarcely required professional treat
ment or attention. The physical conse-
quences are: An increased disposition for
food, because it is more easily swallowed; !;
the voice is clear and strong: the patient
rests more and his appetite itself is better;
the system assimilates food and derives
more strength therefrom and the spirits of
the sick man assist treatment more readily,
because of the added buoyancy.
This fifth week on the mountain is began
with ah apparent improvement of all the
symptoms as against that that existed at the
time of leaving New York. 1t must not be
understood, however, that the cancerous
fixture has become dislodged but rather that
it has relaxed and is comparatively ques-
cent. The present remarkable change in
General Grants condition is pronounced as
one of those strange phases of temporary inn
provement characteristic of cancerous dis
eases.
DR.. Shrady arrived this afternoon to re-
ieye DR.. Douglass till the latter shall have
obtained rest, and during this week special
efforts will be made to secure perfect quiet
for General Grant in order to continue if
possible the present favorable condition.