Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-04-13
SICK UNTO DEATH.
Ex-senator Conkling's Career
Drawing TO Its Close.

New YORK, April 9. - Roscoe
Conkline's condition changed much
for the worse last night. He was
buoyed up in the evening by the pre-
seuce of his wife, whom be bad not
been pc. milted to see siGce bis illness
became serious. After her departure
he sank into a stupor from which ne
aroused but at long intervals, and
then only to display symptoms of de-
lirium. Or. Aguew, the eminent oc-
ulist. called at MIR. Conkling's resid-
ence last night. At the time of his
leaving the patient seemed to be not
much worse, though his temperature
had risen perceptably. DR.. Fordyce
Barker said today that be feared Mr..
Conkling's ocular trouble had caused
an affection of the brain which may
prove fatal. "All [ care TO say just
now," said DIR. Barker, ''is that Mr..
Conkling has had a bad change with
in the last twenty-four hours and is
very poorly indeed. / have called in
DR.. Sands and DR.. Delafeld, ard
they in company with DR.. Aguew and
mvself will visit the patient"
At 2:3O P. NJ. Mr. Conkling's con-
dition was unchanged from the lest
report At 2 O'Clock Dfs. Sands,
DelaGeld, Barker and Agnew called
at Mr.. ConkIing's house AID had q
consultation. A few minutes after
Hamilton Fish called, but was not
admitted, Dr. Barker, at the con-
clusion OF the conference, said that
the patients condition was very IN
promising; that he was suffering from
inflam nation of the ear which nad ex-
tended to the membranes of the brain.
The probabilities were that Mr. Conk
ling would not recover, though there
was possibility that that he might
get we'll His temperature was lO3ss
and his pulse LOG. DR.. Barker did
not think that there would be any
marked change in bis patients condi-
tion for twelve hours.
The consultation of physicians be-
tween 4 and O'Clock resulted in the
decision TO Immediately cut through
the temporal bone to ascertain wheth-
er there was pus lodge on the brain.
DR.. Sands was the operating surgeon,
and it was announced as very sue
cessful, o secretion OF matter having
been found.
Drs. Fordyce Barker and Sands call
ed at 9:20 and found the patient rest
ing quietly and his condition materi-
ally improved. Since the operation
his temperature had fallen TO l02 and
his pulse to 92. The operation was
performed by making an inci8ion in
the temporal bone. About an ounce
of pus flowed out. The patient was
under the influence of ether, and be
rolled and tossed so that 1t was only
with difficulty thai the operation
was performed. Dr. Barker said
that while the recovery of the patient
is not assured be stands much bet
fer chance than before. The opera
ton was very successful, and no dam
ger is apprehended for at least twelve
hours. After the operation Mr. Conk
ling arose, walked into an adjoining
room and returned. Besides the phys
icians Mrs Conkiug and married
daughter were with The patient coa-
stantly. MIR. Conking has not been
able to recognize anyone but his wife
during the day, and he will probably
remain unconscious all night because
of the anasthetic which was admins
tered Drs. Barker and Sands left
the sick-cbarn Der at 9:45 and will not
return until 9 A. NJ. tomorrow.
The surgicai operation performed is
vsry delicate one. 1t consists Ia the
cutting out and removal of part o
the squamous portion Of the tempo
raj bone, the incision heng made up
on the prominence which may be Eel,
lust be hiud the ear Beneath this
lies the mechanism Of the ear, and
in cases in which this mech
anism becomes involved involved
il serious suppuration, as in this in
stance, it becomes necessary to make
an opening through which the pus
NAV be drawn off. Otherwise the
Inflammation viii extend to the tissue
OF the brain. Deafness of the ear op
Grated on results. The saw or drill
with which the circular piece OF spon
gy bone is excised is like e jagged
edge on the end of q piece of small
steel tubing. Il is fixed for the frs
few turns by preng in the center.
The whole instrument is called q tire
phine. When the region Of the inner
ear has been reached the circular disk
of bone is carefully extracted and the
mem brane beneath the bone Gu
through A drainage tube is then Il
be inserted, through which the, mat
ter forming in the abscess can flow
freely into antiseptic absorbent cottor
at the outer end of the tube This
affords the best chance OF coufnioe
the Inflammation TO it's narrowest linn
its.
At l2 midnight Mr.. Conkli0g wai
walking up and down his room IL {
half .dciirious conditioa. He sen. fol
Edward S. Stokes, and when he ar
rived Mr.. Conk.ing said to him: ed
it is no use | an gone. | have
fought against this for some time
can't stand it any longer"
Mr.. Stokes in going out say DR.
Sands at the door. He asked the Doc
tor ii Mr Conkling bad any chance
DR.. Sands: He may live forty eight
hours, but | doubt it"
At 1915 Mr.. Conkling's condition
was unchanged. He insists Or rising
and walking about the room, bu
does 80 in deiirium, as mas not re
gained consciousness.
at 1:30 A. NJ. there was little differ
ence in the condition Of Mr.. Conkiin}
from his midnight. He vas then sit
ting up and was slightly de,irious.
Legal Holidays.
1890 ot tN 10