Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-19
THE ICY BREATH OF DEATH.
1t Almost Freezes Out the Spark of Life
in the Patient.

1t Almost Freezes Out the Spark of Life
in the Patient.
WAsHrNGToN, Dec. 19.-All yesterday
the life of James G. Blaine hung trembling
in the balance, For more than an hour in
tbs forenoon hope was abandoned and the
md was mamentarily expected by physi-
clans, family and friends All stimulation
was thrown aside in the apparently irmi-
nent presence Of death. and the suppressed
facts Of his illness-thc long denied. but
now admitted Bright's disease. the occa-
sional intervals of delirium, the long hours
when he has lain incapable of speech or
motion (as it j. said was tie case when
Cardinal Gibbons paid him his recent
frE.ndly ca'N, other distressing features e
his illness. all incidental to the one over
powering organic trouble. 'Brighr's g.
ease" aggravated rs this has been Of larc
by a cold contracted while imprudeu;lr
venturing out driving two weeks ago and
by malarial fever, and confronted by a cuu-
sttution impaired by nearly two yeats
continuous sickness-au these facts are now
taeitly admitted
Looked Like He Was DYING.
The physicians assert that there have not
been any hemurrhaecs. as has been as
serted. but this * almost the only alarming
symptom which IS now denied The first
crisis was reached between 10 and II
o'clock yesterday morning. when a sinking
spell set in from which the worst was
feared His family was called round the
bedside and his physicians sent messenger
after messenger to the nearest drug store
with prescriptions requiring hasty atten-
ton. The distinguished patient lay un-
conscious and to all appearances dying,
until shortly before o'clock p m. when
a slight rally set in. His pulse, which and
almost ceased to beat, became again per-
ceptible, and partial consciousness was
restored At 3 o'clock his physicians,
0rs W. ". Johnston and Hyatt. con-
sidered him 50 much improved as to render
their constant presence at the bedside un-
necessary, while there had been no marked
improvement and no change in his condi-
ton upon which hopes of ultimate re-
covery could be based, but the immediate
crisis had passed.
Could Not Stand a Recurrence.
At 2:30 yesterday afternoon n United
Press reporter saw James G. Blaine. Jr., at
the family residence He said that his
fathers attack in the morning was very
bad, and created the gravest apprehension
His condition became so weak that it was
feared that in view Of his enfeebled condi-
ton a recurrence must involve the gravest
consequences. Mrs. Hale, wife of Senator
Eugene Hale of Maine, ore of Mr. Blaine's
closest friends, was at the House for several
hours during the day, and made a second
call late in the afternoon. About o'clock
she left, and soon after Senator Hale called
Mr.. Haie's statement as be left the house
rs to Mr.. Blaine's condition was that Mr.
Blaine seemed a little more comfortable
than he had been earlier in the day, but
that his condition appeared to be critical.
General Physical Breaking Up.
ut may be" he said, "that he will re-
cover, but those who have an interest in him
have reason to be alarmed In fact, his
condition is alarming. 1t is difficult to
name the trouble. 1t is general physical
breaking up. When he takes cold it
brings ON consuming fever, and he is not
In condition to stand it. Besides, there
are the ordinary complications. His mind
Is perfectly clear The house was lighted
up early and all the lower shutters closed.
Drs. Hyatt and W. w. Johnston, who
were to meet at the house for a consulta-
ton between and were sent for just be
fore O'Clock, and the fact gave rise to a
rumor that the patient was suffering from
another attack of exhaustion. This. how
ever, proved to be an error.
THE IMPROVEMENT VERY SLIGHT.
4 Statement From Young Blaine That
Tells The Story of Danger.
While the Improvement in Mr. Blaine's
condition is but slight and not sufficient
10 afford any great amount of encourage