Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-19
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
Blaine on the Border Of the
Spirit Land.
His Life Hangs Trembling in
the Balance.
Yesterday Morning It Was Thought
He Was Dying.
1t IL Vow Admitted That His MaIsdy Is
Bright's Disease Aggravated by
Other Troubles-Ths End
Not Far or.

| BY the Associated Press
WARRINGTON, Dec. 1S.-All day long
| the life OF James u Blaine hung tremb
ling in the balance. For more than an
hour in the afternoon hope was abau-
doned and the end was momentarily ex-
pected by his physicians, family and
friends. All stimulation was thrown
aside in the apparent imminent pres
ence of death, and his illness, 90 long
denied, was now admitted to be Bfight's
dieease. Occasional intervals OF de-
lirium; long hours when he laid in.
capable of speech or motion ias now
said to have been the case when Cardi-
nal Gibbons paid him a recent friend y
call), these and other distressing feat
ures Of his illness were all incidental to
one overpowering organic trouble
Dright's disease; aggravated as 1t has
been OF late by cold contracted. while
imprudently venturing out driving two
weeks ago, and by malarial fever. and
confronted by a constitution impaired
by nearly two years continual sickness !;
all these things are now tacitly ad-
mitted. The physicians assert that
there have not been hemorrhages ~ a.
serted, but this is almost the only
alarming symptom which is now de-
MED.
The first crisis was reached between 10
and IL o'clock this morning when
sinking spell set in, in whcE the worst
was feared. The family were called
around his bedside and the physicians
sent messenger after messenger to the
nearest drug store with prescriptions re-
quiriDg hasty attention. The distin-
guished patient lay unconscious and to
all appearances dying, until shortly be-
fore O'Clock, when slight rally svt in.
His puise, which bad almost ceasrd to
beat, became again perceptibte and
partial consciousness was restored At
2 O'Clock the phyeicians, Drs. 1shu-
son and Hyatt, considered the patient
go much improved as to render their
constant presence at the bedside unnec
essary. While there had been no
change in his condition on which hopes
OF his ultimate recovery could be based,
the imm. diate crisis had passed.
At 2:30 O'Clock this afternoon a re.
porter saw James g. Blaine, jr., at the
family residence. He said: '.Father's
attack this morning was very bad and
created the gravest apprehension. HIS
condition became so weak that it was
feared. in view Of his enfeebled condi-
tion, that recurrence must involve the
graveet consequences"
About 5 O'Clock Senator Hale called
and said, as he left the house later, that
Blaine seemed little more comfortable
than early in the day, but his condition
appeared critical.
The statement was authoritatvely
made at pm. that nothing in the ma
ture of relapse had occurred. While
the improvement in Mr., Blaine's condi-
tion was but slight. and not sufficient to
afford any great amount OF encourage
ment to the family and friends, the re-.
action seemed to modify the feeling OF
apprehension for thu immediate future.
DR.. Hyatt said that he thought there
was no doubt that Blaine would 1--we
through the night, but at the same time
he was undou ub,edly critically ill. Any
complications that might arise would
doubtless cause fatal termination OF
his illness.
A little later James g. Blaine, jr.,
said to the reporters: I've think
father is considerably better than this
morning. The physicians have been
here this evening, and We now think he
will live during the night, and hope for
the best. Still, it must be said be is
very dangerously ILL.,"
President Harrison, accompanied bv
Private Secretary Halford. this evening
personally inquired az to Blaine's CON i
tion, and expressed relief and grati6ca-
tion at the abatement Of his more alarm
ing symptoms.
Excitement throughout the city was
intense as the news OF Blaine's condi-
ton was spread, and, though it wa,
Sunday, the newspapers issued extras,
which found rapid sale.
From an intimate friend of the family
1t is learned that it was only when
Blaine was suddenly seized with sink.
ing spell this morning, which threat
ened for some minutes to terminate in
heart failure. that the family fully rea-
lized how near he was to death. For a
few seconds he seemed TO be in extremis
and the watchers bent anxiously over
him. The emaciated face OF the dying
statesman was as white as marble and
his features were sadly drawn. AT
blAnoo 10 bCuICcly ofoutQ 10 OTeAJne,
and at Others gaeped for breath. The
physicians who we're haetily summoned
piled him with stimulative cordials;
trained nurses chsffed his extremities,
and it was only after working over the
pat ient for upwards Of 80 minutes and
the application OF every art known to
the medical profession on him, that Mr.
Blaine slowly revived, but the battle
with death found him extremely wesk-:
weaker than at any previous time when
suffering = relapse. He was too weak
even to whieper, and made no sign Of
recognition.
The family gathered around the he'd
side all in tears, except Mrs Blaine
She maintained outward cnmposure
throughout the trying ecene, and calmly
gave such directions to the attendants
as were necessary. Her will power, in
fact, while her heart was breaking, is
desclihed as something pathetic and
marvellous.
9:30 O'Clock tonight reporter had
an interview with Mr.. Blaine's attend
ing physicians. Speaking for them
both, Dr.. johnson aaid Blaine was dis
.. n i,. ,.I tx - a (. Il IS. III. IA h.