St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-23
INSPIRED WITH HOPE.
Mr.. BIaine's Condition Has Taken
Slight Turn for the
Better
The Hopes of the Ex-Secretary's
Family Are Renewed by the
Improvement.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 22.-From what
can be learned with any sort of Ger
tainty today it would seem that Mr..
Blaine'5 condition has taken slight
turn for the better during the past
twenty-four hours. The improvement
is by no means great one, but 1t is suf-
ficient to inspire the family with re-
newed hope, and this afternoon there
was an air OF life about the house
such as has not been seen for
fortnight past. Mr.. Blame is
at present in condition
where the developments Of each day
must speak for themselves. He is very
weak, and of course the progress of dis
ease might make the case quickly as
sumo again an alarming phase, but for
the present there are only slow and
almost impereeptible variations from
day to day. Those persons who have
been around sick beds where hours
passed in which they could not see
much change can imagine the case of
Mr.. Blaine.
Comparatively speaking, the past
three DAYS have been good ones. MT.
Blaine is propped up in bed each day
at intervals, but only for short period
of time. He is aware of what goes on
around him, and ne takes an interest
in the movements of the family.
He is free from pain. The news
papers he does not see, nor are they
read to him. LII the absence of any.
thing marking decided change in his
condition it is the hope of the family
that public interest will lessen and
leave them as entirely free as they
would be were the patient less known
to the public.
The greatest dread that, troubles the
family now, it is understood, is recur
renee of the heart weakness of Sunday
and the consequent ending of the long
struggle. DR.. Johnston is apparently
able to give no assurances on which to
base hope that this may not occur at
any time. The principal difficulty now
is with the heart and the treatment Is
directed toward keeping its action
regular and natural. ONLY partial
success has so far been achieved.
DIR. Johnston says his table is flooded
each day with letters from people IN
different sections of the country adviS-
ing him how to treat Mr.. Blaine's dis
ease. Some of them intimate that the
doctor has not diagnosed the case prop
erly while the patent-medicine people
are filling up a good sized store room
with their goods, which they are send
ing daily to the doctor by express and
urging him to test them on his distln
guiShed patient.
To-day has been all uneventfuI one
for Mr.. Blaine" said Dr.. Johnston at
$3.50 O'clock this evening. when met at
the door of the Blaine residence. Il
have Just come from his bedside and
found him holding his own. The fact
that he does not seem to lose strength
is encouraging. He cODverseS whenever
permitted, in fact is inclined to talk TOO
much for his own good. He assim-
Hates his food, and that alone gives
him the necessary strength to combat
the disease and withstand relap5eS
should they come. | can add nothing
more except to say that | see nothing in
his condition tonight to warrant appre.
henSiOn OH the part OF his family and
friends of. any immediate danger. |
shall not go to the house again tonight
unless unexpected complications set in,
and there were no outward indications
when left him that he would be threat
ened with anything to demand my pres
ence."
The house was more brilliantly lighted
tonight than for some nights past.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-At midnight
the bright light diStinguishabe in Mr..
Blaine's bed room had disappeared and
the entire house was in semi-darknesS,
indicative that the family expect quiet
night. Inquiry at DIR. Johnston's resi-
dence at L 80 p. nj. also disclosed that
he had retired for the night.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-At 2 o'clock
this morning there was no change in the
situation at Mr.. Blaine's residence.
New YORK. Dec. 22.-MIs. EmmOnS
Blaine, daughter -in-laW Of the eX-secre-
tary of state, is at the Fifth Avenue
hotel. Her arrival in the city last even
ing is taken as an indication that Mr..
Blaine'S family have strong hopes that
he Will continue to improve. She de
clined to talk.