Omaha daily bee., 1892-11-27
JAMES e. BLAINE'S ILLNESS
1t is Much More Serious Than Was at First
Supposed.
STORY OF THE lNVALlD'S PHYSICIAN
While the Ex-secrctary is In No linn ediatc
Danger, Great Care VIII Have to
lie Excrcised-Naturc of
His Aiiment.

WASHINGTON, y. c., Nov. 2j.--Mr. Biaine's
condition was again the sublcc. of universal
interest today, made 50 by the ALLEGATION of
statements that his ailment had taken
turn for the worse aud that his life was in
imminent danger. II Mr. Blaine's physician
and the members Of MS family are to DO be-
lieved. such statements are misleading and
are not warranted pv the facts. Last
summer year ago Mr. Blaine left
the city to see his daughter before
she sailed for Europe. 1t was on that
occasion that ne fell Ill and was removed
to his cottage at Bar Harbor, where
he passed the summer aud early fall in
convalescone. The cause Of his illness was
then not an organic complaint, unless pc
cuiar sensitive stomach can be so regarded
In plain English, he ate what was not good
for him--viz.: rich food, and ate very much
OF it. Being run down in health and mentally
fatleued from the labors of his Office, the
affairs of which were then in critical state,
with the Chlian ana Italian embrogl lios
threatening to assume serious form, Mr.
Blaine, who is by no means in the vigor of
youth, was made very ill, and required sew
cral months time to recuperate.
Last summer he had another attack, but
since his return to Washington he has
utcu III u SLuto vi u5tllu luhJ NldI lulttS 10
described as his normal condition aud capa-
ole of earnest work, open air rides, walks
and cheerful, but, wlthai, very senslvtivc to
irregularities Of diet aud to sudden changes
of weather 1t is said by persons familiar
with his habits that for years he has been
subject to slight illness from these causes,
and having a wholesome belief in the efficacy
of doctors and physicians, he is quick to note
the slightest unfavorable symptoms, to take
to his bed and to send for his physician.
Cause for Alarm.
AS near as can be learned, the illness from
which Mr.. Blaine is now suffering is more
serious than those which have preceded it.
He caught cold and he was imprudent in his
diet. Some congestion followed and there
was fever in its train The stomach was
made torpid aud there was difficulty in dl-
| gestion. Notwithstanding reports to the
| contrary, it can be said that Mr.. Blaine has
| shown no signs of mental ALTERATION or de-
| lirlum. There has been much difficulty
| encountered in the effort TO get reliable
| news as to his condition, and this
| has fostered the origin and spread of
| exaggerated stories of Mr.. Blaine's condl-
tlon The reason for this is two-fold. In the
| first place James G. Blaine. lr., is absent
| from Washington, leaving none Of the family
at the house except Mrs. Blaine and Miss
| Harriet Blaine, who do not feel equal to the
| task of answering the numerous calls for in
| formation. In the second place, the attend
! ant physician is oppressed by feeling that
| q public statement of PATIENTS condition
would be violation of professional etiquette
! by the physician.
| In tho morning it was stated by the at
| tendants who answered the bell that Mr..
| Blaine had passed comfortable night and
| was resting very easily. The attendant
| added: THE family were much surprised
| to see the highly exageera' ed accounts of
| Mr.. Blaiue's sickness IN the papers this
| morning They cannot understand how
| such reports could have obtained circulation
| and wish it stated they are without iounda-
| tlon."
| His Doctors story.
| Later in the day DR.. w. W. johnson, who
| is in charge of the case. called at the house
| and had Il short consultation with DR..
| Hyatt, who has been treating Mr.. Blame
| specially for stubborn bronichat-affcction.
| Subsequently Dr. Johnson informed u repre-.
sentative of the Associated press that the
published reports that Mr. Blaine is seri
ously i'll are entirely without foundation.
The fact is" he said there is nothing
really serious the matter with him. The
slight cold, with accompanying fever, from
| which he suffered last week. has entirey
! passed away and he is so much imDro rovcd
today that be Is able TO be dressed and tt
move freely about his room"
| DIR. johnson said he did not care to tall
| about the case, but in response to persistent
inquiries he said he felt sure MIR. Blaine
would be able to 60 out Of doors in a few
days and that he is we'll able even now u
stand journey IN case such Il course il
| deemed necessary for tho better treatmen
| OF his case. 1t Is learned from another source
that Mr.. Blaine will soon be removed 10 SOM
| point IN the south with the hope that
warmer climate Will have a beneficial effec
on his bronchial trou oles which seem to hav
been aggravated since the cold spell set il