The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-26

had noticed an almost painful effort on Mr..
Hendricks's part to be polite, and attentive
to an old friend but in that automatic and alb
stracted manner which suggests mind intent on
deep and distant affairs, while not overlooking
the ordinary trivalities and even courtesies of
the present moment.
Regarding the attack of so-calied senile, or
dry gangrene and the loss of the first joint of the
middle toe of the left foot four years ago, Dr.
Thompson said that he believed it was due sim
ply to the habit Mr.. Hendricks had of bear
ing his weight upon the ball
and toes of the left foot when max
ing public addresses This he had done in
a speech at Greencastle for two hours wearing
boot that was too tight and caused pressure on
his toe. Drs Lockridge and Parvin the
case and were apprehensive of senile gangrene
When DR.. Thompson returned and saw the case
the end of the toe was black and, after some
tinie came off at the first joint but
granulated readily and healed kindly. Dr.
Thompson, when the case was at its worst ad-
vised that surgeon be called, and Dr. Yandel
of Louisville, saw the case. He found it not as
bad as had been represented, but rallied the pa
tient good-naturedly, and told him he must die,
to which Mr.. Hendricks replied with great
force that he would not die that his arteries and
circulation were still good, and that ne should
get well, which proved to be the case. After
ward the fourth toe of the same foot was similar
ly affected, but readily yielded to the treatment
and rest prescribed by Dr. Thompson The Doc
tor said that he could not believe him dead; that
he had never received SO great shock in the
Inat nf fva III ~ r. hi,,ly
an autopsy would be held.
DIR. FLETCHER's STATEMENT
DR.. ". B. Fletcher, superintendent Of the In
sane Hospital stated that during his partner
ship with Dr. Parvin, from 1862 to 1870, they
were physicians to Mr.. Hendrckss family. The
Governor was not often sick, but DR.. F.
had often observed that he had eva
motto appearance of the lips and face;
his face was never red but of an ashy color,
especially under excitement This was partcu-
larly marked at the time of his speech on the
when he addressed an excited audience COM
posed of many not friendly to him, but with
notable calmness and firmness
II never regarded Governor Hendricks as sub
ject to senile gangrene, but as one who might
have that atheromatous condition of the arteries
peculiar to certain diatheses. This cuts down
the supply of blood to the brain, and ren-
ders the arteries brittle and liable to
gave way under any sudden strain. I have no
doubt that an autopsy would reveal clot in the
brain and dilation of the left ventricle of the
heart, and thickening of the aortic valves.
base this opinion on careful observation
of Mr.. Hendricks in my many meetings
with him during the last twenty years. He had
a quick, hard pulse, not very full as if the cir
culation were somewhat obstructed The pupils
were often contracted, and were generally a
little under the nominal size, indicating diminu-
ton Of arterial circulation.
I'm all the conversations have had with him.
he was always kind and conciiatory. never
knew him to use harsh word, or do an unkind
thing / was examining surgeon in Indianapolis,
with DR.. Harvey for drafted men, and after
wards surgeon to the prison at Camp
Morton, and found him active in
relieving the want and suffering of
the families of those in the army; ali of those in
prison, without reference to political shadow
ings, but as man interested and willing to allie
viate any and every form Of human suffering,
regardless of its cause"