The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-29
LITTLE PILLS BATTLE FOR LIFE.
Continued Signs Of Improvement In
His Condition
Give to His Anxious Watchers a
CIimmer of Hope.
The Chances Still Against the Strlck-
en- Generals Recovery.

SU &StGtdt . neCOt6ry.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-The following
bulletin was prepared by the doctors at $3.50
and issued at 9.30p. m.
Gen. Sheriden passed most comfortable day.
He doZed at intervals and at about D. m. had a
quiet sleep of nearly an hours duration, from
which he awoke feeling refreshed and cheerful.
lie has slept occasionally since. His mind is per-
fectly clear and is stronger His pulse has gained
IN force and regularity, and at no time exceeded
ITO. His respiration shows great Improvement
and the aeration of the blood is better. The oe-
dema of the legs has entirely disappeared and the
patient has taken sufficient food His tongue,
though previously much coated, is now clear, and
splendid.
WASHINGTON, May 2S- Midnight There
is little to add to the $50 o'clock statement.
Gen. Sheridan's favorable condition contin
ues, and he sleeps easily and restfully. He
wakes. occasionally and makes some rational
remarks and goes to sleep again.
Hopes or Recovery.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-The belief in the
hopelessness of General Sheridan's case pro-
duced by the tidings of yesterday has been
somewhat dispeled by the later reports.
The following bulletin was issued at 10
o'clock this morning:
General Sheridan passed bad night, having an
frequently delirious Since daybreak, however,
and especially within the last hour there has been
toms. The pulse is ITO and steadier. He con
TIMES to take an ample supply of nourishment
which seems to be assimilated.
General Sheridan awoke at 1115 and his
mind was entirely clear. He recognized
every one about him. Oxygen has been ad-
ministered constantly since he awoke. His
facial appearance is but slightly changed.
The history of the case shows that the
most dangerous time for the general is be-
tween the hours of two and six in the morn
ing. All the physicians and the nurse were
with him during that period this morning.
Representatives of the press remained in the
vicinity of the house all night and received
Information every half hour. The usual
answer to inquiries at the door was that there
was mo material change" Toward morning
this reply was varied to ''the general is no
better" or the general is not quite so well.''
This was the situation at s a. m, at which
time the people began to arrive in large num-
bers to inquire after the generals condition.
AT that hour there was slight improvement
and the result of the consultation of the ply
sicians later was received with hopeful
ness.
In the Generals Home.
WASHINGTON, May 2s.-A more hopeful
turn pervades the Sheridan mansion tonight
The attendants and physicians all appear
much relieved at the strength and vitality
shown by the stricken soldier and the deter
mination exhibited by him to fight off the at
tack.
He had more sleep during the evening than
at any time since the attack began. His
sleep is said to beeasy and regular and not
due to narcotics. Respiration has so greatly
improved that even in slumber it is quite
natural. The General is weak and has not
left his bed during the day but he watches
closely everything that takes place around
him.. and is conscious and rational ex-
cept Immediately after oxygen is admins
tered. His mind Is clear and bright but
this may be due, in part to the oxygen.
given him for nourishment and the doctors
take turns in watching him, one being con-
stantly at the bedside and the other lying
down readysto be called in case of an emer-
gency.
At about IL, the General awoke and more
oxygen was administered. While his condi-
tl0n has somewhat improved, the chances
are still againsr recovery This fact is fully
appreciated but it is impossible to tell when
the change may occur. AS several days
elapsed between the early attacks of heart
failure, there Is constant apprehension of
recurrence. The disappearance of oldema
in the leg is quite marked and has given
rise to the fear that it may
the fluid which produces the swelling having
gone to other and more vital parts of the
body. 1t was thought it might have been due
to tapping" but recourse has not been
had to this process and in the weakened
state Of the patient, it might not have
good effect. Ii is thought the heart failure
is also complicated with chronic trouble of
the liver and that the existence of oedema is
largely due to this complaint.
General Sheridan's Property.
1t will be some satisfaction to General
Sheridan's friends to know that he will
leave his family well provided for if the
worst fears are realized. He has just re-
ceiyed the first instalment of his pay for his
book OF war "reminiscences, which is about
to be published by Webster g. Co., of New
York This payment amounts to more than
S50,000 in cash. The general owns his resi-
deuce. which was presented to him by his
Chicago friends Congress will vote hand
some pension to his widow if he dies, and
his book will doubtless bring in a good deal
more money.
Grief in Chicago.
CHICAGO, May 2S.-The news concerning
Gen. Sheridan's condition is received with
the greatest sorrow here in Chicago, where
the General was a resident from 1869 to 1885,
Yesterday the services in many of the Chi
cago churches were given character in
harmony with the spirit of Memorial Day.
The different posts of the Grand Army of
the Republic attended the several churches
in their official capacity, and the sermons
were given largely to patriotic TOPICS. Some
OF these sermons were as stirring as were
the utterances of the men who delivered
them In war times, and in all of them there
was reverent and tender reference to Gen.
Sheridan Gen. Sheridan while in Chicago
became extremely popular with all classes of
people, and so highly was he appreciated as
a citizen and a soldier that when he was
about to be transferred to Washington lead
ing men of Chicago presented him with the
beautiful residence which Gen. Sherman had