The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-23

WASHINGTON, D. O., Dec. 22.-Ftom
what can be learned with any sort Of
certainty to-day it would seem that Mr..
Blaine's condition has taken aslight
turn for the better during the past
ithirty.four hours. The Improvement is
by no means great one, but it is sutfi-
cient to inspire the family with re-
newed hope, aud this afternoon there
was an air of life about the house such
as has not been seen for atcrtnight
past.
Mr.. Blaine is at present in a condition
where the developments Of each day
speak for themselves. He eis very weak
and OF course the progress Of the dis
ease might make the case quickly as
sumo asain an alarming phase, but for
the present there are only slow and al
most imperceptible atoms from day
to day. Those persons VINO have been
around sick beds where hours passed
in which they could not see much
change can imagine the case OF MIR.
Blaine. .
/, Comparatively speaking, the past
three days have been good ones. MT.
Blaine is propped up In bed each day
atinteryals, but only for short periods
Of time. He Is aware Of what goes on
around him and takes an interest in the
movements of the family. He is free
from pain. The newspapers he does
not see nor are they read to him. In
the absence Of anything marking a de-
cided change in his condition, It Is the
hope os tho family that public interest
will lessen and leave them as entirely
free as they would be were the patient
less known to the public.
The greatest dread that troubles the
family now, it is understood, IS Q recur-
renee Of the heart weakness OF Sunday,
and consequent ending OF the long
struggle.
DR.. Johnston is apparently able to
give no assurances on which to base
hope that this may not occur at any
time. The principal difficulty now Is
with the heart, and the treatment Is dt-
rected toward keepingit action regular
and natural. Only partial success has
SO far been achieved.
DR.. Johnston says his table Is flooded
each day with, letters from people in
different sections OF the country adyis-
ing him how to treat Mr.. Blaine's dis
ease. Some OF them intimate that the
doctor has not diagnosed the case pro-
perly, while the patent medicine peo-
pleare filling upa good d-sized store room
with their goods, which they are send
ing daily to the doctor by express and
urging him to test them on his distin-
guished patient
To-day has been an uneventful one
for Mr.. Blaine" said Dr.. Johnston at
$3.50 o'clock this evening when met at
the door Of the Blaine residence. II
have Just come from his bedside and
found him holding his own. The fact
that he does not seem to lose strength
is encouraging. He converses when
ever permitted; in fact is inclined to
talk too much for his own good, he as
similates his food and that alone gives
him the necessary strength to
combat the disease and Withstand
relapses should they come. / can add
nothing more except to say that ! see
nothing in his condition to warrant ap-
prehension on the part Of his family or
friends Of any immediate danger. !
shall notgo to the house again tonight
unless unexpected complications set in,
and there were no outward indications
when / left him that he would be
threatened with anything to demand
my presence"
The house was more brilliantly light.
ed tonight than for some nights past.