Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-27
A DYING WARRIOR.
General Sheridan Suffers a
Serious Relapse.
FEARS FOR HIS RECOVERY.
He Makes His Will-The Aged Mother
fastening to the Beside of
Her Son.
yAssociated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

'IAssociated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-General Sheri-
dams condition is extremely critical to-
night, and his death at any moment will
not be unexpected. He had recurrence
of his heart trouble at o'clock this
afternoon, accompanied by serious
sinking spell, which gave great alarm to
the physicians, who Immediately took
prompt and powerful measures to rally
him. These remedies have only given
partial relief, and at 10 80 tonight the
four physicians who have been in attend
ance are at his side, closely and anx-
iously watching every symptom. The
action OF his heart is still very feeble,
and has responded but imperfectly to the
remedies administered. The attack
came almost without premonition,
slight feeling of faintess being the only
thing that warned the physicians that
crisis might be at hand. Up to about
ten minutes to five the General had been
doing very we'll, and the family were
in cheerful spirits on account of the
strength and interest in passing events,
shown by the sick man. No symptoms
ofarecurrence of the failure OF the valves
of the heart to properly close had APP
peared, and as the attacks of the day
previous occurred in the morning it was
hoped he would quickly rally, and then
become better able to meet any future
dangers. As soon as it became evident,
l.<x &l.nA va1, f.sI e a
heart had set in, they saw that their
cherished hopes of a successful day would
not be realized. Everything possible was
done for the patient, but only with inn
perfect success. Digitalis and whisky
was put over the heart. These applica-
tions stimulated the heart to increased
action, though not to the extent desired.
counteract the present attack rs to pre-
vent subsequent one. The Generals
return to the nearly normal condition in
which he had been since his illness
was slower than from any of the prev
ious attacks, and the doctor said Of the
attack, 'It was pretty severe"
TEMPORARY RECOVERY.
At 8 o'clock he had recovered some-
what from this attack and was getting
comparatively comfortable. He was still
the object of earnest solicitude, however,
and the doctors did not leave his side.
Mrs. Sheridan also remained constantly
near. The attack was unaccompanied by
pain and he was conscious and thorough
ly aware of the gravity Of his situation.
A bulletin stating his condition was to
have been given to the press at s 80
o'clock, but owing to the extremely criti-
cal condition of the General it was not
issued until 10 O'Clock. A few minutes
after that hour one Of his aides stepped
out Of the house and on to the portico
and gave TO the newspaper men who
gathered around him the official state
ment Of the physicians. 1t reads
Washington, 10 p. m.-General Sheri-
dan passed comfortable day, took
plenty Of nourishment, spoke cheerfully
and hopefully, and generally did well,
until ten minutes before 5 o'clock this
afternoon. when the action Of his heart
became very feeble, from which condi-
tion 1t has reacted imperfectly. At this
lime he is suffering neither pain nor dis
tress. He thoroughly understands all
about his condition, but is quite tranquil,
undismayed and hopeful for the best.
HISTORY OF HIS ILLNESS.
One Of General Sheridan's aides said
to-day that false report in regard to the
Generals condition had been given out
because the General had horror of be-
ing considered i'll. 1t was thought by
members of his family on Monday that
his illness was only temporary and there
was no necessity for alarm.
General Sheridan had suffered severe
attack before this but it was passed off
as as indigestion. This time he has had
three serious crises before the present
one this evening; the fret Monday night,
when priest was called to his bedside
TO administer the last sacrament; again
Thursday night, and the third yesterday
morning. The last mentioned created
the greatest alarm. 1t so nearly proved
fatal that he might have died at any mo-
ment. He rallied, however, and then he
had many spells of heart trouble. These
grew less as the day wore on.
The nature of the disease precludes
the possibility Of the patient lyi,1g in bed,
and he is forced to get what sleep he
does, sitting in chair. A corps of army
surgeons are in constant attendance tax
ing upon themselves the duties of nurses.
Every point of attack is watched with de-
voted care. Surgeon-General Moore, and
Drs. O'Reilly, O'Byrne, Matthews and
farrow are in attendance. A sister of
charity from Providence hospital aids in
the sick chamber, and Mrs. Sheridan is
almost constantly by the bedside.
PREPARING FOR THE END.
There is no reason to doubt that Gem
eral Sheridan realizes his critical condi-
ton, for yesterday morning he made his
will. He expressed his earnest desire to
see his aged mother, who still lives
where she has lived for over fifty years
in the little town OF Somerset, Ohio.
The old lady is Fastening to the bedside
OF her son by fast train.
THE MORNING REPORT.
At the Generals house this morning
It had been reported that he was much
better.
The bulletin, issued at s A. NJ. by the
attending physicians, said: General
Sheridan expressed himself as having
passed a restful night. He says he has
no pain whatever and feels first rate.
No material change in his symptoms has
occurred.
On the head of this the following re-
port was sent out:
General Sheridan is much better, but
he is still in critical condition, and his
heart may at any moment refuse to per-
form its functions. -Four times this week
he had serious time. The valves Of his
heart have failed to close with his pulse
beats. ind the circulation of blood has
instantly ceased. Twice on Monday and
twice yesterday the difficulty occurred,
and the danger Of its reeunence is 60
great that one Of the five physicians at
tending him il always at his side. The
.eturiPs Of apoplexy are untrue, and there
are 10 signs Of paralysis, The General
1leptl tlnoost Of the night exd ~ IN tho
~ chair 81 BIZ clisaa ~; IA 1{ts.
den . scatesIy i Y I ~ Y a s. Z y soc|e 1'.c|.