The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-31
GEN. SHERIDAES CONDITION CRITICAL.
The Sufferer Nearly Suffocated by a
Pulmonary Affliction.
His Death Momentarily Expected by
the Family and Physicians.
Oxygen and Digitalis Found the Only
Hope of Relief.

WASHINGTON, May 30.-Gen. Sheridan's
condition at $50, was reported as favorable
as at any time since the illness took a turn
for the better Today is the anniversary of
the capture of Boonville. Mass, by Gen.
Sheridan. in 1862, and the district command
cry Of the Loyal Legion, gave him a basket
OF choice rare roses with a note conveying
their affection and best wishes, and hope
that. as he was victorious &c years ago, he
would be in the present struggle.
8.45 p. ma bulletin says:
Gen. Sheridan's condition is not so favorable as
az the time Of the last bulletin. owing to the fact
that harassing cough has appeared, making him
restless and preventing sleep.
Col. Kellogg said the cough did not give
them any apprehension as other favorable
symptoms continued. The damp weather,
he thought, might have caused the cough
sleep recently, he would naturally be little
restless. No more bulletins will be issued
until o'clock tomorrow morning, as Ii Is
not thought any more will be required to-
nlgnt In view OF the Generals improved
health.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-General Sheridan
has fallen asleep and Is now resting more
quietly. His slumbers are light and easily
awakened. No change before morning is ap-
prenended;,, Mrs. Sheridan and the physi-
clans are al In the sick room watching close
lly the patient 1t is said that the General
Is conscious but very weak.
Change for the Worse.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-12.45 a. mat 10
O'Clock last night General Sheridan was sud
denly threatened with suffocation from pull
monary effusion and for while he was In
imminent peril. The attack was mastered
with difficulty. At this hour the immediate
danger has apparently passed. All the dec
tors are at the Generals bedside and fear
death may ensue at any moment.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-General Sherl-
dams condition has again changed for the
worse. and he is now as critically i'll as at
any time in his sickness. There has been
more or less recurrence of heart trouble but
the exact degree and extent Of 1t cannot be
learned. 1t is complicated by a severe and
dangerous affection of the lungs, and the
greatest alarm prevails among the physicians
and family, who were all hastily summoned
and are now at the bedside keenly appre-
hensiye. The use of oxygen, which had
been discontinued, has been resumed.
The first symptoms of the present attack
were hoticed about p. M, when the General
started with spell of coughing. II was not
tnOught at nrst the cough was Of such dam
gerous character as subsequent events prov
ca; ed, About 10 o'clock the General was seized
with severe retching cough, which filled ali
with the gloomiest forebodihgs. The PAL
monary affection brought another faintness
OF heart action, and the pulse grew weaker
and weaker. Mrs. Sheridan and the phy-
slclans who had been called to the sick room.
ssPrang to the Generals bedside, and every
thing possible was Immediately undertaken.
Digitales was administered to counteract the
feeblelness Of the heart.
Meantime the Generals condition grew
worse Notwithstanding all attacks and stub
bornly refused to yield. TIE oxygen gas ar
rived shortly before 1890 as Sheridan lay
breathing heavily in imminent danger Of
ssuffocation. A. jet of gas was thrown into
his mouth end he was allowed to inhale it a
lew seconds. The gas made him Eighty and
irrational and was then discontinued and
other remedies applied, only to give way, at
frequent intervals, TO a renewal Of the oxy-
gen. BY extraordinary exertions. however,
ne rallied again and at 1890 had improved to
some extent. His breathing was still Ia
bored and heavy. Not person in the room
leit the bedside. One of the Generals aids
came out about / and handed the
\ l242 bulletin TO the reporters.
u ne said ne knew nothing beyond~what was
in the bulletin, but his manner showed piain-
ly the anxiety and alarm felt. To INQUIRY
as to whether Mrs. Sheridan and the other
adult members of the family were at the
ueneIaI Deuslde, ne SAID, God, yes, every
Dody's there" At 1.30 word came down
that the Generals condition was still the
same.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-3 A. MAI this
Lour there is no perceptible change In Gen.
Sheridan's condition.
"A. M.--About $3.50 o'clock Gen. Sheridan
mad ut Of coughing which lasted about 20
minutes. Coughing was at intervals Of about
TWO minutes and quite violent 1t left him
weaker and somewhat worse.