The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-20
NO ORGANIC TROUBLE.
Blaine's Illness Is Said TO Be Due
Entirely to Nervous
Prostration.
An Element Of the Theatric in
His Seclusion at Bar
HarbOr.
Not Altogether Unlike His Famous Sum
stroke for Political Enect-State-
ment of His Physician.

State James Il. Blaine has always been a
man Of surprises. Throughout his life he
has continually done those things he was
least expected to do. The public has antio-
ipated, and rather enjoyed, being startled
by him. Mr.. Blaine has been just as sensa-
tional. almost theatrical, about his own
health and condition as he has in the
transaction of public business or the en-
gineering of some great coup which all the
world would watch with the most profound
interest. For weeks he has been here. and
no one could tell whether he was on the
brink Of the grave or a man with the pros
pect of long life before him. When MIR.
Blaine first came here he was dangerously
sick man. His was malady
which defed the skill of the ordi-
nary physician. He had sunk into
a lethargy, into torpor, from which
nothing could rouse him. There we're
times, your correspondent ia assured on
authority the correctness of which no one
would question could it be made public,
when those nearest and dearest to the sec.
retary would not have been surprised at his
death at any moment, or if he had con-
tinued to live that he would live only as
hopeless mental wreck, because for hours
at a time he remained motionless and in
ert. This state of things lasted until early
last week. DR.. j. Madison Taylor, of
Philadelphia, is Mr.. Blaine's physician.
and it is to his skill and knowledge of the
requisite treatment that the secretary owes
his returning health. DR.. Taylor, who has
a cottage here, was professionally known to
members of Mr.. Blaine's family, and it was at
!, bor lo1 81
lowing interview. after being transcribed.
was read by Emmons Blaine and the doctor.
who made a few slight corrections. 1t can,
therefore. be accepted as the first official
statement coming from the family, and it
is printed with their full knowledge and
consent:
II suppose you want to know how Mr..
Blaine is and what / think of him? can
safely say that Mr.. Blaine is improving
very rapidly; that he is very much bett or
than he was when he first came here; that |
am we'll satisfied with his progress, and
that Mr.. Blaine now is also satisfied with
his own improved condition"
| ''What is the matter with Mr.. Blaine2''
"Mr. Blaine has simply broken down,
partly from overwork and partly from not
having taken proper care of himself. He is
not man who has abused himself in any
way. but he has been careless. He has been
Indifferent about his meals and irregular
incessantly. In other words the candle has
been burned at both ends, and the usual re-
suit has followed"
HAS Mr.. Blaine any serious organic de
raneement or chronic disease?"
'Most emphatically not. assure you in
all candor that every one of the vital organs
is practically sound. There is no truth in
the various statements that have gone out
that Mr.. Blaine is suffering from Bright's
disease, or that his heart s especially weak.
AS said before, his illness is due to over
work and the other causes which have al
ready mentioned
"Then the statement that he Is tn eatened
with paralysis and that bis legs are weak is
probably an exaggeration?"
1T is more than an exaggeration, it is an
untruth. Mr.. Blaine has been a sick man
and q weak man. but he is in no peril of
paralysis. He walks as we'll as you or | do,
only heis not as strong as we are. Mr.. Blaine
Is as sound mentally to-day as he aver
was. Ho takes an interest in everything
that goes on around him, and he keeps in
touch with current affairs. He is taking no
medicine. With few exceptions he is al
lowed to eat everything he may fancy.
What Mr.. Blaine needs now-in fact all
that he needs-is rest. quiet. regularity in
his diet and sleep, and to have his mind di-
verted so that he will not think of his con.
dition. Mr.. Blaine's trouble has not been
mental. but nervous. His symptoms caused
IL
nervous. But he has now reached that
stage when he voluntarily comments on the
improvement he ia making, and that is a
very encouraging sign. His confidence in
himself is returning"
'Would any sudden strain or mental ex-
citement be attended with disastrous conse-
quences?"
THE unforeseen might of course be disas-
trous, but undue stress ought not to be laid
upon that. MIR. Blaine is now at the pivotal
age. He ia not young man any more,
neither is he an old man. With ordinary
care there ia no reason why he should not
live for many years to come. OF course, if
he again overwotks himself, and does not
observe ordinary rules which any man
ought to follow, it is impossible to tell
what may happen, but with his health fully
restored. and in good condition again. he
ought to be able to stand u good denl with
out danger.''
How long, in your opinion, before Mr..
Blaine will be a we'll man?'
II couldn't say. It may be two, three or
four months, but do not care to give my
DR.. Taylor's prediction that Mr.. Blaine
would soon have contidehce enough to drive
out without him (the Aoctor) was to-day
verified. On the way to Emmons Blaine's
cottage. about 10 O'Clock this morning,
your correspondent passed the secretary
driving Mrs. Damrosch in low phaton.
The sun was warm and there was little air
stirring. The secretary wore a round soft
felt hat and an overcoat, which was unbut-
toned. He looked 80 per cent better than
when he left Washington few months
ago. Then his face was deathly pale and
he had all the appearance of very sick
man. To-day there was a little color in his
face. and that is n rare thing for MIR. Blaine
to have and his eyes looked bright.
BLOOMING BOOMER.