Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-21

An Alarming Change for the Worse I'm Mr.
Harrlson's Condition.

An Alarming Change for the Worse in Mrs.
Harrlson's Condition.
change for the worse in Mrs. Harrison's g
condition occurred last night. and the dawn of
day this morning found anxious watchers by
her bedside. 1t was evident to those about
her that Mrs. Harrison had approached another
step toward the end.
When DR.. Gardner called at the White
House at O'Clock this morning he saw that
what little hope he had entertained for i'm
provement had vanished. His examination
showed that the temperature of the invalid
was much higher than it has been for
some time; her respiration had also increased
to a considerable extent and all the signs indi-
Gated that Mrs. Harrison growing worse.
The progress toward the critical point had been
gradual. but it had been sure. and each step
nearer the end once taken had not been re-
traced.
The most alarming symptoms that con-
fronted DR.. Gardner this morning was the
extremely weak condition of the invalid. So
weak was she that the physician decided
that any attempt to move her would be
dangerous, and he accordingly issued
directions that che should not be lifted from
the bed under any circumstances. Such q re-
moval might bring on q stoppage Of the hearts
action from shock or a fit OF coughing that
would prove fatal. An idea of how narrow is
the thread by which the sufferer holds to life
can be gained when it is understood that she is
obliged to recline all the time on her
back or partly on her right side for with the
right lung gone and the left lung being con-
sumed rapidly by the disease great danger
would attend lying in any other position.
THE INCREASING WEAKNESS
To STAR reporter DR.. Gardner said that the
most notable change in Mrs. Harrison's condi-
ton since last night was the increased weak
ness. She is now totally unable to raise her
head from the pillow, though at
times she can and does slightly stir
her shoulders. The paroxysms of coughing are
very frequent and painful. Her respiration
now varies between 40 and so, which is
more than double the normal She is
still taking nourishment and in the same guam
tity that she has been able to take lately-about
three beaten raw eggs in each twenty-four
hours This she Is able to retain unless a fit of
coughing occurs soon after taking it. in which
case the violent exertion of coughing prevents
retention Of the nourishment upon the stomach
The spread of the disease over the left lung is
rapid and alarming.
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
The family are very much depressed in spirit
at the sudden change for the worse in Mrs
Harrison's condition and seem to dread a re-
currence Of the alarming sinking spells which
manifested themselves during the night In
response to hasty summons Mr. James R. Nc
kee. the Presidents sOn-in-law came on from
Boston and arrived at the scrrow-stricken house
shortly after midnight. Judge Scott Of Wash
ington (state), Mrs. Harrison's brother, is now
the only one Of her relatives absent from the
city, and he is SO far away that he will hardly
be sent for, as it is doubtful If he could reach
here in time for her to see him.
l.-.kl l.. n
gradually sapping away life is the aftermath Of
nervous prostration, and they are further COM
plicsted by the constant danger of a gathering
of watery matter in the cavity OF
the pleura. Failure to remove this fluid
would mean death, for its accumulation or re-
to bring abnormal pressure to bear on
the heart with stoppage Of Its action
quickly followed" or else to fill the
lungs and smother the patient Three
operations were necessary during the week be-
fore the removal of Mrs Harrison from Loon
Lake to prevent fatal termination from the
reproduction Of the fluid, but since her return
to Washington the accumulation has not thus
far been sufficient to cause great alarm.
At noon today Private Secretary Halford
said the family were not expecting any imme-
diate crisis. The patient had been sleeping all
the morning and the physician had not then
yet paid his MONDAY visit. To all appearances
all was going on in the same channel as for sew
eral weeks past
RESTING MORE COMFORTABLY.
As the day wore on Mrs. Harrison seemed to
get tIiHe stronger, and the terrible feeling Of
alarm that had prevailed in the house gave way
during the afternoon to q more hopeful feel
ing. This due to the fact that
Mrs. Harrison rested more comfortably during
the day and suffered much less from the cough.
It was admitted. however, that her
alt H..
Gardiner omitted his usual afternoon
White House that Mrs. Harrison was asleep At
the time and that she appeared to be In no
immediate need Of his service. Private Sec
O'Clock to take q drive in the country,
remarking as be went out that the Presidents
family were not at all apprehensive Of any i'm
mediate crisis and expressing his private
opinion that Mrs. Harrison would live some
time to come.
Among the messages Of sympathy received
by the President was one from the school chill
dren assembled at Yonkers, N. Y, in obedience
to his proc clamation to ceiebrate Discovery da y
TIE Sabbath School Lyceum of the Second
Baptist Church has elected olicers for the ensu-
inGyear - follows: President Mr. r. d. Rufin ART |
vice president, 1r. Wesley Brown; second vice |
president, Mr.. Louis Rouser; secretary, Mis-
Laura Robinson; assistant secretary. N}ps Car-
RE Bal; corresponding secretary, Gios Mimic |
Cruteh6sld; treasurer, Mr.. Harry Warner.
TuB Board OF TBuDfExD Of the Western |
preobyteFian Church, Of which the lake Geor~e /