The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-18
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WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH SHERIDANp
Many Weary Days Probably Ahead
for Him.
vaIVuIar Disease OF the Heart the
Trouble.
The Two Nurses Of the Order Of lie
Bon Secour.

NoNQUIT, July 17.-Sheridan's condition
fails to excite much questioning in Nonquit,
whatever may be the desire TO hear about Il
outside. The bulletins are read by about
every one. Some accept them for truth, but
the majority consider them clever concoe-
tions Of smart physicians, who desire to
keep Sherldan's true condition profound
mystery. II the truth Of the case Is ever
known, 1t may appear that there is not much
more TO tell than has been told. II the doe
tors should make diagnosis lof the case, 1t
would be unsatisfactory to all but medical
men, and when there Is nothing startling 10
chronicle 1t Is impossible to give other than
an appearance Of meagreness to the bulle-
tins.
Conflicting notions exist as to what Is
really the matter with the General II was
believed by some that his liver was diseased.
also MS kidneys. This Is not the case. The
doctors deny that these organs are diseased,
or form any part Of Sheridan's illness. SO
with the stomach. It Is stated that General
Sheridan has taken regularly five pints Of
milk every day, and has been able TO retain
u. Nj, HIS appetite Is good, and since he came
20 Nonquit he has thoroughly enjoyed every
thing the doctors would allow him to eat.
The doctors are loud In their praises Of Nom
quit air, and say that while IL continues to
have such bracing effect on the General there
will be no need TO administer oxygen In any
artificial way.
The chief difficulty in the case is valvular
heart disease, whatever slight attendant
troubles there may be. IL Is forty days since
ne had an attack Of heart difficulty; and
while man with valvular heart disease Is
never safe, 1t is possible to make him compar-
atiyely well. Sheridan is gaining strength,
but from the fact that one Of the physicians
Will stay till August, and return TO Washing
ton while DIR. Reilly again comes on to re-
sumo his watch Of Sheridan. IL Is to be sup
posed that there are many weary days and
nights ahead before there Is any chance OF
his dispensing with constant attendance
from the doctors. At present Gen. Sheridan
spends two hours at a time sitting in bed,
propped up with pillows.
Sisters Justina and Urban. the patient
nurses Oh Gen. Sheridan, are the objects Of
much interest and respect from the visitors
here. A popular error appears 10 have got
abroad that they are Sisters Of Charity, or
sisters Of Mercy. This Is not the case They
belong to the Order Of lie Bon Secour, and
have no connection with any other religious
order. They are simply an order Of highly
trained nurses, who go out from their con-
vent under instructions from their Lady Su-
perior, TO any part Of the land, and nurse the
sick. They are not numerous In this coun-
try, the entire body here numbering less
than dozen. Father Chappelle OF Wash
ingtOn was instrumental In inducing this
small contingent to come from France, where
their order fiourishes. Their American con-
vent Is at Baltimore. They receive no pay
whatever for their services, but, Of course. n
ff,R people they attend can afford TO make a
com ff{buti0n to the general fund Of the order
II is nof-out Of place. They are spoken Of
nv Cen IN ridan's family and physicians as
probabiv the most thoroughly competent
nurses In the w,orld. To begin with, they
are perpetual nuns. an I'd cannot, like Sisters
OF Charity, take vows whlS,' nOiu foyu S VIliy
Tor a.eertain number Of years. lneiS y
lie work, and they have no other a.. ols'O"
than to minister to the sick. After admit
tance to the order they are trained for their
duties In the most rigid schools, and are not
allowed to 90 out nursing until fully cOmpe-
tent TO do their work. The branch Of the or
der in this country is poor, and until now
the general public has scarcely heard Of
them. The prominence Of their present pa
tlent, 1t is hoped, will make them more pros
porous, as they we'll deserve TO be.
There has been no noteworthy change in
Sheridan's condition in the last "a hours. He
had quiet, restful night, and the day has
been comfortably passed. He has relished
his food. and has partaken Of a sufficient
amount. His pulse continues at good tension