The Portland daily press., 1888-04-13

NEW YORK, April 12.-Ine news from
Mr.. Conkling's sick chamber this morning
was of the most cheering character, and
there is every reason to believe that the
dread crisis has passed. Mr.. Conkling spent
one of the best nights since his illness. The
periodical attacks of delirium did not mani
fest themselves at all during the night.
New York Senator'S Regret.
ALBANY, N. Y, April l2.-The Senate
today passed the following:
The Senate of the State of New York profound
ly regrets the serious illness Of Hon. Roscoe
Conkling. The honesty of his public career, his
loyalty to friendship, and nobility OF character
Nation and placed him in the front rank among
the foremost men of his time.
Resolved, That the Senate hereby, expresses
earnest soicitude for the distinguished statesmen
and advocate and its hope forlhislspeedy recovery
to health and usefulness.
still improving.
NEW YORK, April 12.-At 40, DR.. Barker
said Mr.. Conkling, if anything, was trifle
better but there was no particular gain. He
has taken plenty of food, tonay, principally
beef tea, and has rested very easily all day.
When asleep, he has enjoyed a healthy.
pleasant rest and when awake was quiet and
free from delrium. He recognized DIR.
Barker and shook hands with him, and also
recognized Judge Shipman, who called. His
temperature and pulse were unchanged
At 240 Mrs. Conkling informed Frederick
A. Conkling that his brother was sleeping
and there was no change for the worse.
Henry Melville, Mr.. Conkling's law part
ner reported that at $50 that the sick man
was lying half asleep. Mrs. Conkling was
so much encouraged that she would retire to-
night for the first time in four nights.
Dor of and
remained in consultation until nearly 10.
Then they left and DR.. Barker told the re-
porters that MI Conkling was in splendid
condition. When he went into the room Mr..
Conkling recognized him and said, Il am
glad to see you, Doctor"
Then he dropped into quiet sleep. Since
{ o'clock he has taken 10 ounces of milk. Ac-
cording to DIR. Barker, Mr.. Conkling now
has fair chance of recovery, about one In
ten.
The Medical Record of April IA will contain
the following: 1.-THE case OF Senator Conk-
ling, now engaging so much OF public atten-
tion, illustrates, in a striking manner, the
grave results OF the extension OF AMI infam-
matory process from the middle ear to the
brain. 1t is quite probable that the initiative
attack was Itilis Media, attended with sup
puration in the .ympanic cavity and the ad-
Joining cavity Of the autrum. Nature falling
head, the disease extended itself to the mas
told cells and meninges. The usual
severe systoms had manifested them
selves when DIR. Fordyce Barker was called
to prescribe for what the patient supposed
was simply "a boil in the ear" The grave
aspect OF the disease is explained by the
broken down condition of the patient at the
time of the attack, 1t being well known that
under such conditions the inflammatory pro-
cess is virulent and apt to extend into the
neighboring parts, involving not only the
mastoid cells, but the meninges Of the
brain end periosteum overlaying the mastoid
The management of these cases is manifest
ly in the direction of the prompt evacuation
Of the pent-ap secretion. AT the earliest
possible moment, free incision is to be
made in the abscess, which, in these cases, is
far up into the tympanum, and which Is not
generally reached by an ordinary puncture
of the drumhead. When the disease pro-
eeeds further, Wilde's incision and perfora-
tion of the mastoid give relief, but, unfortu-
nately both operations were resorted to
when too late to be of any benefit. 1t Is to
be hoped that in the case Of the distinguish
ed Senator the rule regarding the operation
may have its exception, and his ultimate re-
covery take place. Bat as purulent pachy-
meningitis has already declared itself, the
chances are on the wrong side."