Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-24

condition, the cough grew less, the temperature
was somewhat reduced, she became stronger and
her appetite improved considerably But this
Improvement was Of short duration-perhaps
three and half weeks. Soon the cough re-
turned in renewed vigor, the fever increased
and the appetite failed.
RAPID PROGRESS OF THE DISEASE.
ION about the first Of September an examine
ton revealed rapid progress Of the disease and
1t was found that two-thirds Of the right lung
had consolidated. The left was at this time un-
touched, apparently, by the disease Five
days later subacuate pleurisy came on with
serious enuslons into the cavity Of the right
an extent that aspiration was demanded
ne operation was performed on the 10th Of
September, and about one and half pints OF
fluid was removed, but in twenty-four hours
the cavity filled again and a second tapping was
seen to DO necessity. This was done on the
l4th, and about one and u half pints withdrawn
1t was then seen that the disease had made
rapid progress in the left lung,
Win all TINS there was an extreme degree
OF nervous exhaustion, which was a very seri-
Gus complication. While at Loon Lake DR..
Trudeau. who has large sanitarium at Saranac
Lake for the treatment of pulmonary dis.
eases and who is recognized as one Of the
leading specialists In the country WAS called in
for consultation with DR.. Doughty and myself,
but there was nothing further that could be
done, and 1t was decided that the best thing to
do was to bring Mrs. Harrison back TO Wash
ington while it could be DONE"
WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS INFORMED.
"When was the President made aware of the
desperate character Of Mrs. Harrison's illness2"
asked the reporter.
During the first week In May the President
was told by me- replied DR.. Gardner, that
Mrs. Harrison had tuberculosis of the lungs in
the 1ncipient stage. Before the patient
was removed from Loon Lake, and
after the the consultation with DR.. Trudeau.
the President wss told that there was no hope
His wife had been taken to climate which was
deemed most favorable for such ailments, yet
the disease had progressed rapidly despite all
efforts, and there was nothing for US to hope"
Can you say anything as to Mrs. Harrison's
general condition before the disease made its
appearance"
'Yes She inherits tuberculosis, there hay
ing been some cases that we have found Her
brother and sister, understand, died from the
disease"
Are you willing to make any statement as to
the nature OF the treatment" the reporter
queried as he rose to 20
mo" responded the doctor. 1--WE did all
that could be done. faced with the cor
tain knowledge that there is nothing known
that will cure consumption. am not
willing that I should give to the
public such information as would cause COM
Suffice it to say that in our con
sultation at Loon Lake it was agreed
that no other treatment was possible.
DR.. Doughty is an allopath and DR.. Trudeau
and are homeopathic SO we represent both
sides Of the medical controversy, and inasmuch
as we agreed it should be enough for the world
There has been no hope for Mrs. Harrisons re-
grip"
Mrs. Harrison's Family.
Mrs. Harrison has not a very wide family
connection. The relations on the Presidents
side OF the house are more numerous. Her
aged father, DR.. Scott, now in his ninety second
year, has. as is well known, made his home at
the White House since she came there herself.
Her only brother, Judge Scott Of Washington
state, also survives her.
Her children, Mr.. Russell Harrison and Mrs
J. r. Mckee, have tenderly watched by her
family circle now at the White House consists
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Harrison and their
daughter Marthena Harrison, Mr. and
Mrs. Mckee and their children,
Master Benjamin Mckee, now five
and a half years old. and Mary Lodge Nc
DR.. Scott, and Mrs. Dimmick has practically
made her home there
Mrs. John F. Parker, the latter's sister, has
been equally devoted to Mrs. Harrison, though
she and her husband, Lieut. Parker, have only
lived there at intervals. Mrs. Newcomer,
widow of the Presidents old family physi-
clan, DR.. Newcomer Of Indianapolis, has
been at the White House the past week
She is not related to the family, but
Is called by them "Auntie Newcomer"
as she is by others Of her intimate circle at
home. Mrs. Capt Bergland. who resides in
Harrison's family.
Not Strangers tn Grief
The present administration, while it has had
many pleasures. has also had many hours tinged
with sadness. Shortly after the Harrisons came
to the White House Mrs. Harrison. sister. Mrs
Scott Lord, began to show signs Of failing
health. In December of 1889 she died in this
city. The sad circumstances Of the death of
Secretary and Mrs. Blaine's two children, Mrs.
Coppinger and Mr.. Walker Blaine within a
fortnight Of each other. the tragic deaths OF
Mrs. and Miss Tracy at the same period and the
following winter the sudden death of Secretary
Window, in each instance occurred in the
height of the social season.
Few Deaths In the White House.
There have been comparatively but few
deaths in the White House. Two Presidents
have died there, President Harri.on's grand
father. William Henry Harrison, and Zachary
Taylor The former only lived month after
MS inauguration. HIS vile, being an Invalid,
did not come there at all. President Tyler's
first wife also died in the White House. In
Lincolns administration his little son Ind" q
boy much beloved by all with whom he came
in contact, died there. The last death occurred
there in Grants administration, when Mr..
Frederick Dent, Mrs. Grants father, passed
away.
Other deaths have taken place there. but not
OF members Of the Presidents families The
last one was that of the Hawaiian minister. who
died during the progress of the New Years day
reception during Arthur administration. Presi-
deat Lincoln, it will be remembered, died in the
where he taken after he was shot, and Presi-
dent Garfield died ut Elberon, n j., whittier
he had been taken from the White House in the
hope that the change would prove beneficial.
WHERE HER LIFE Is EBBING AWAY.
Mrs. Harrison Occupying the Room Where