The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-26
Ex-PREsIDENT ARTHUR.
His Physician Says He Is Not Afflicted witt,
Brights Disease, and rs Not in Danger.

His Physician Says He Is Not Afflicted with
Bright's Disease, and Is Not in Danger
New York Special
There was considerable surprise manifested by
the announcement In the New York Times to-
day that ex President Arthur is actually in so des
perate condition to leave room for doubt that
his days are numbered and that within a very
short time the country will be called upon to fol-
low the remains of another OF its chief maglS-
trates 20 the grave AS has been stated in these
dispatches good many times, the ex- President
has been confined to his room for several months
His physician refused to make any statement,
however. and the public was left TO judge be-
tween conflicting reports. The story to-day has,
therefore. made deeper impression than any
thing hitherto given.
The ex-President's physician Is DR.. George A.
Peters. He has been Mr.. Arthurs medical at
tendant for twenty years. His course in refns-
ing to say anything as to his distinguished
patients health is commented upon variousty,
for. though it is the general opinion that his
principle is right it is nevertheless thought that
in case of so much public interest he ought
not to be secret, and may be causing needless
public anxiety by so doing. He was shown the
article referred to.
IT have just finished reading it." he said.
''They know good DEAL according to their
story. and at the same time they justify my
position in the matter"
lis it true or false2o
.'Thas-I decline to state. Where they OBJ
tanned the information can't tell; certainly not
from me, and there is no one else that could
give them such information"
"will you not say whether no is betters or
worse2'
'.That would be giving the whole thing away
1t is only morbid curiosity that seeks this in
formation"
But Mr.. Arthur is different from other pa
tients; in sense he belongs to the public, and
his thousands of friends are made very anxious
by these rumors, especially when they are al
lowed to go undenied.e
81 deny that he belongs to the public. He is
his own private property now, and what good
would it do to make denial2 It would not
probably be published, and besides it's the asser-
ton that stings. No. sir feel sure that my
course is right. and shall stick to it."
is there am. other physician attending him
besides yourself"
II don't see what good that will do you, and I
I'm the event of his growing worse, will you
issue bulletin. so that the public may learn Of
his condtion2'
II don't wish to pledge myself as to what
shall do"
s,Then his condition must at present remain a
mystery to the public2'
$50 far as | am concerned, it must
The reporter next called at the house OF Mr..
Arthur and asked for Mrs. McElroy. as it was
learned that that lady had returned to the city
1t said that she could not be seen, and it was
also stated that the ex Presidents son was not
at home. Aperson of the household, when asked
how Mr. Arthur was to-day, said that he was
considerably better.
us he able to leave his bedg"
"Oh, yes; he walks from his room to the IL
brary without difficulty"
SIS it true that his relatives are alarmed about
him. and that he is not expected to live iong2"
you refer to the article published this morn
ing, he said. with smile. mo, it is not true;
those statements are not So Mr.. Arthur has
been growing better for the last ten days. and if
this weather keeps ON the doctor says he can take
q ride in day or two. He has not grown thin
and he eats well, and the story that he can re-
tain no solid food on his stomach is not so. He
has not got Bright's disease, as the report says,
and the family are not at all alarmed"