New-York tribune., 1885-03-08
GENERAL GRANT DEPRESSED
EFFECT OF THE BAD WEATHER ON HIN

EFFECT OF THE BAD WEATHER ON HIN.
| A COMFORTABLE NIGHT-FEw CALLERS-BIs sE.
CLUDED LIFE-NoT ALLOWED TO TALK MUCH.
The threatening sky and the rain and snow, to-
gether with biting wind that was heavily laden
with the chill of the ocean. kept many Of the regu-
lar visitors from making their usual calls at General
Grants house. A number who dared not venture
out themselves sent servants in their stead to obtain
information as to the condition of the ex-Presdent
It was noticeable that most of those who did call
wore an air of strangeness and were not familiar
with streets and localities; they evidently had come
from distant place either for the special pur-
pose of hearing the story of the Generals illness
from the lips of the faithful Harrison or from tho
Generals family, or being here on business and ac'
quainted with the General, they could not leave tho
city without, at least, giving an evidence Of their
sympathy by calling and leaving word of good
cheer for the sick man.
There was litte,fslliDg of yesterday in the crowd
of those who simply came to see where the General
lived. They could be standing at different
points. some with and Others without shelter from
the storm. and intently watching the house within
which the hero of many conflict is struggling
stubbornly for his life The curtains were tightly
drawn most of the day, and the General could NOS
be seen in the library, the second floor. in his
usual comfortable position.
The tall policeman who circulatesi around tho
block and in the neighborhood of General Granite
house was kept busily employed pointing out tho
house, and since people seem to regard him a.
having q sort Of encyclopedia knowledge Of tho
Generals history and condition, he keeps himself
thoroughly posted Whenever he gets time to seek
information about the patient he can be seen at the
basement. door holding an earnest conversation
with the colored cook Being thus fortified with
n
comers.
persons are permitted to see him outside of his inn
mediate family and many of his old friends have OF
course been compelled to get tue account of his
dton at second hand Ihs preeaa,on ~, tssnSs y
physicians must not be subjected to any possible
fatigue that be avoided. Though ne now
speaks with greater than formerly still long
continued talking would have tendency to irritate
his throat and he would undoubtedly talk too much
if every one could see him. His friends are ex-
dition, or alarming symptoms, but simply as a pre-
cautOnary measure. Those who have seen MIN say
that his general appearance Is greatly altered In:
stead of the strOng robust constitution that stood
every exposure without giving any sign of injury.
he is now greatly fallen away in flesh. particularly
about the body and arms and moves owes with apparent
changed, though the skin looks tightly drawn and
has an unnatural paeness and an expression d Of
sOlictude and care lie speaks with an en0rt ana
there is husKiness in his voice. ~
all the circumstances against him, manages 10
only in good health. The disease Itself,
az it slowly makes progress, forming
new ulcers and sinking deeper into, into the ths
surrounding flesh, becomes more painful and
irritable. exerts most powerful and depressing
influence upon the physical aud mental powers, and
has tendency 10 lower the normal action OF every
organ IN the body. While the disease is exerting
this constant pulling down influence, undermining
everything and inducing great bodily weakness, IL
must also be remembered that General Grant has
LODI ~ fha his lifculty and
faced by the certainty of approaching death.
With these conditions eyer before him, and nS tine
| pleasure living means to him in health.
no one has heard an expression that
fnenced. He accepts everything as it comes with
as as modified form Of pleasure he puIsass
unmindfnl of the changes in his condition from day
to day. He is evidently solicitous about the COM
completion of his book, but If unable to work upon
When Dr. Douglas left the honse on Friday
morning the General was in good condition ap-
parently, and thought he would sleep well. lie
was moi suffering from pain and appeared at ease.
He slept for short tnle after he
went TO bed and then awokc During the, rest Of
the night ne slept only at Intervals In bis wax; &
tossed about IN the bed; There was no pam leit
or at least complained of, tie trouble simply
being insomnia. This condition had debilltatng
effect on the whole physical system. and induced
considerable nervous exhaustion. He arose short,
ly before III a. m. feeling unrstreshed aud
weak, and until the arrival OF Dr. Douglas.
at 2 o'clock. he quietly rested In the
library lie was not troubled bv any local diiicnl:
~. but remained i'll state of weakness that could
not be shaken of. He partook OF liquid food IN
small quantities, and retained II upon MS stomach
without nausea. a.,
Dr. Douglas washed out his threat and submitted
it to the usual treatment of cocaine, which seemed
to have refreshing effect. During the afternoon
the patient grew brighter and listened to the
reading of his book by his sons but was
dsinciined to enter upon his literary
labOrs. He rested as much as possible in his
restore the extra waste caused by the bad night
through which he had passed. The sky re-
mainmg overcast all day precluded the idea
of taking drive in the Park. His throat did not
appear 10 change materially from the state In
which it has been for a week and was not worse:
He took considerable amount of liquid food at
his evening meal.
ing his general condition improved and when
Dr. Douglas called to him III the evening.
He found him much better than he had been IN the
afternoon, ubOth In mind and body, though Ino
weakness had not entirely disappeared. Inc
Generals throat was cleansed and dressed with
cocaine and he then appeared more cheerful than
at any time during the day.
DIR. Douglas said to a TRIBUNE reporter aIter-
ward: General Grant passed bad night, having
no pam, but great restessness. be got up as usual
suffering from extreme weakness. iis appetite was
poor though ne took liquid 70 ID repeatedly there
were slightly above normal. l will not
say what the canse OF his weak condition was
nor that he has been gradually declining durlneithe
week and that ne is worse tonight than week ago.
cannot state that he will grow weaker next week,
nor that he is liable to die within a.
period. Death is a difficult thing TO prophesy
There men In apparent health dying every
hour, and while sick men live"
GENERAL GRANTS COMMISSION.