The Portland daily press., 1888-06-11
GENERAL SRERIDAES CASE DESCRIBED.
Results OF an Extended Examination
by the Physicians
The Trouble Desperate but a Chance
Still Remains.
Many Years OF Life May Yet Await
the General.

WASHINGTON, June 10.-General SherI-
dams condition is considerably improved to-
day, and there is again hope that he may yet
be able to get about once more. Constant
fear Of relapse and another attack Of heart
failure remain omnipresent. however, and
hangs like cloud over the household. All
the symptoms have become more favorable.
The Generals respiration and strength have
improved so much that Doctors Pepper and
Lincoln, who joined the four regular doctors
in consultation at about O'Clock, were able
to make more thorough and extensive ex-
animation Of the patient than heretofore. It
Is understood they found General Sheridan
better In every way than on their previous
visit. The heart was closely examined and
1t was found there was extensive trouble
with the mitral valves and that owing to
change in their structure they did not fully
close the aperture and thus allowed the
blood to be forced back into the heart. This
trouble was ascertained positively and the
rushing Of blood back into the heart could
be distinctly heard. 1t was thought the
aortic orifce might also be diseased, but
the Generals breathing was still too heavy
to allow this TO be definitely determined.
1t Is stated, however, that the disease OF the
heart Is not such as 10 entirely preclude hope
OF the Generals recovery. The liver, also,
was examined and found TO be Of larger size
than was feared might be the case. Albumen
and calculi were found In the kidneys, butas
they have been acting quite freely, 1t was not
thought they are seriously affected. The ex-
animation Of the heart, liver and kidneys
showed that those organs. while diseased
more or less, were still capable Of sustaining
life and that the General might, II he once
fully recovered. live for an indefinite period by
taking good care of himself, avoiding excite
ment and carefully dieting himself IL was
also found that congestion In the lungs was
cleared up TO great extent. The stomach Is
delicate and the General has, for long time,
been a dyspeptic, but he Is perfectly able 10
assimllate quart Of peptonized milk, given
him daily. and this Is capable Of keeping his
strength up until he rallies sufficiently to
partake Of more substantial food.
On the whole, II can be said that the con-
sultatlon was OF an encouraging nature. The
case Is, however, desperate and critical,
though not an altogether hopeless one. The
history Of the case has shown a constant
tendency to a recurrence Of heart trouble,
and this causes apprehension and dread that
the General may become much worse at any
time. But for this the physicians would feel
quite hopeful IL was thought the attacks
showed more or less periodicity, and ten
dency to return every third or fourth day
Three days have now ELAPSED since the last
attack, and the doctors are anxi0usly watch
Ing to see II there will be recurrence. Rigid
treatment has been prescribed, with the hope
the General 60 forty eight hours longer with
out a return Of heart trouble, IL is believed
he will then have q good fighting chance to
get well.
The Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, June 10.-General Sheridan
passed a comparatively comfortable and
restful day. DIR. Pepper arrived at about 6
p. m. and after consultation the following
bulletin was issued at 7 p. m:
General Sheridans condition continues at least
as favorable as 1t has been for three days past
His respiration is still irregular but the cough
and expectoratiOn are less. The heart action Is
improved and MS nervous force holds OUT Well
His mind Is clear. There are no present lndlcar
ti0ns Of any serious complications impending.
His appearance Is better and he expresses him
self as feeling hopeful OF recovery.
DIR. Pepper, shortly before O'Clock, left
for Philadelphia.
Or. Pepper Hopeful.
PHILADELPHIA, June 0.-Dr. Pepper said
tonight that the news from Washington in
dicated that General Sheridan had held his
own during the past two days in an encour=4
aging manner. at Is impossible toprediet
the future course of ths-ease," he said,
''chiefy because ii is impossible to estimate
how great stock Of vitality and endurance
remains after such severe and repeated
shocks as have already been borne. Still. as
long as the various complications, grave
though they be, are brought under control
as promptly as hitherto, 1t is evident that a
very distinct hope must continue to be enter
tanned, for 1t Is to be remembered that this
Is not the final breaking down OF a system
worn out by chronic disease, but an acute
development of a dangerous functional dis
turbance, due TO overstrain in case Of or
ganic disease Of the heart. Here, then,
while 1t must be admitted uncontr0vertibly
fbof ~ foflurQ mn " ar fatal
ondary disease may ensue. 1t must be steadi
ly maintained that gradual restoration TO
comparative health Is also possible"
PHILADELPHIA, June 10.-Dr. Pepper re-
turned from Washington this evening. OF
General Sheridan he said: 'On the whole.
the chances of recovery TO comparative
health seeml to be greater than at any previ-
Ous time