The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-22
Mrs. Harrison Stronger Last Night with
Prospects of Rest and Sleep.
Her Condition Not So PrecariOus as TO War
rant Sensational Reports or Cause Corre-
spOndents to Invade the House.
No Return of the Sinking Spell That
Caused Alarm on Thursday Evening.
DR.. Gardner Says There Is q Possibility Her
Great Vitality Nay Ward of the End for
Weeks--No New Complications.
SPECIAL to the Indianapolis Journal

special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-The White House
family was much surprised this morning to
learn what sensational reports about Mrs.
Harrison's condition had been sent out last
night. They knew nothing of the publica-
tions until Mr.. Halford went to the
White House TO make inquiries.
IL is true that Mrs. Harrison
had q sinking spell last night.
and her temperature went down to point
where it alarmed the family and the physi-
clans. as well, but she quickly rallied and.
although abe passed bad night, and the
morning found her very weak. the doctor
said, after his first visit. that she was in no
immediate danger. Later In the day she
was sleeping and the doctor omitted his
usual noon-dav visit. This evening her
condition 10 reported an substantially IN
changed. Mr.. Mckee arrived here shortly
after midnight.
While the ply sician says that Mrs. Har-
rison Is not in immediate danger, he
thinks her condition is such that she may
not last through next week. The in
terest IN Mrs. Harrison's condition,
aroused by the publication of the
sensational reports this morning. drew
o number of Newspaper correspondents
to the White House. and they thoughtless-
ly remained in the Yestibule, waiting for
the doctor. The PRESIDENT, hearing that
they were there. asked MIR. Hslford TO re-
quest them not TO remain, as their con-
tinued presence suggested the crisis which
has not Yet come.
DE-. Gardner made o brief statement of
the case to q representative of the Assoc
ciated Press after he had made his exam
inauon this morning. from which 1t ap
pears that the end is merely question of
time, but whether OF hours or days can be
determined only by the progress Of events.
The Doctor said the disease 10 now
making rapid progress in the left lung.
and the patient Is getting weaker
BILE and temperature 1O3. Her coughing
spells are more frequent. and are followed
by periods of great exhaustion, from which
she rallies with extreme difficulty. Dr.
Gardner said there were. peculiar
dered 1t impossible for him TO say
with any degree of certainty when the end
might be expected. He could not say POSI-
lively that she would pass away within q
few hours. nor would be be surprised If she
fingered for weeks. Her vitality is some
thing remarkable, and may possibly with
stand the inr0ads of the disease for some
time to come. There are no new complica-
tions and her present condition Is simply
the result of the natural progress of the
disease with which she 10 afflicted.
late press dispatch says that another
partial reaction Is apparent In Mrs Harri-
sons condition. and her great vitality.
which has been characteristic of her ill
ness, has again asserted itself and enabled
her TO rally from the extreme prostitution
OF last night. This evening her ply stefan
reports her rs somewhat stronger, with
the prospects, Of passing restful and
quiet night. This information the doc
tot conveyed to reporter who saw
him after be had made his last call for the
day and he then said that he did not expect
TO visit the White House again before
morning. While unable to say at what
hour Mrs. ,Harrison's condition might take
another unfavorable turn, the doctor did
not believe there was any danger of such O
change tonight. The wakefui and nervous
condition of the patient during the hours
of last night had brought on extreme ex-
haustion and 1t was probably due TO this
tact that she had considerable natural
sleep to-day. This. coupled with the fact
that she took her usual amount of nourish-
ment. Is the cause OF the improved condl-
tion of the patient Mrs. Harrison's cough
Is giving her much trouble. and prod ces
periods OF great weakness especially when
10 comes on IN paroxysms. These parox-
ysms are liable TO occur ct any time. and
the results are always looked forward to
with dread. The violent exertion there
from sometimes prevents the retention OF
nourishment upon the stomach. Com
blned with the disease which is gradually
sapping her life away. Is the aftermath OF
nervous proetratIon, complicated by the
constant danger of o gathering of watery
matter in the chest cavity. If this compli-
cation occurs again. death might occur In q
very few hours. The Improvement In Mrs
Harrisor's condition was noted In the more
hopeful air about the White House
this afternoon and evening. The President
took = brief respite. walking about the
grounds south Of the White House, and MIR
and Mrs Mckee went out for short walk
later IN the evening. Judge Scott, of Wash
ington, Mrs Harrison's brother, is now the
only one of her relatives absent from the
city, and he 10 so far away that be will
hardly be sent for. as it Is dou btful II Ia
could reach hero in time for her TO see him
Latest from the Bedside.
WASHINGTON Oct 22-At 1:50 A. NJ. Mrs