The record-union., 1893-01-28
STATEMENTS BY THE PHYSICIANS.
Blaine Perfectly Conscious Until With
in a Few Moments of Death.


in a Few Moments of Death.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 27.-To a reporter
DR.. Johnson said: 81 was called to the
Blaine residence at 9:30 o'clock this
morning and found Blaine very ex-
hausted. He had grown weaker during
the early morning. About $40 the nurse
observed the breathing was more diff
cult and the pulse more feeble. DIR.
Hyatt also was sent for and arrived at 10
O'Clock. After my arrival Blaine con-
tinued to grow weaker very rapidly, his
pulse becoming very feeble. He died at
II O'Clock. He was perfectly conscious
till within few moments of death. He
recognized all those around him and died
without suffering"
In answer to the question did Blaine
die of Bright's disease?" the physician
said: "While there has been during the
last several months evidences of the
chronic disease of the kidneys, being the
form commonly known as Bright's dis
ease, yet this was not the sole cause of
death. There were other consecutive
complications which tended to exhaust
him and hasten the end. The lapses
which he had for some time were due to
heart exhaustion; that is, feebleness and
irregularity in the action of the heart, ac-
companied by difficult breathing. During
yesterday nothing of importance oc-
CURED. Blaine simply lay there in feeble
condition, taking very little nourishment.
Indeed, he has taken very little nourish-
ment since the serious attack of December
18th, and this consisted almost wholly of
milk. At no time has he had any diff
Guilty with his stomach, and he has been
able to digest whatever food was given to
him. Throughout his long illness he has
been able to recognize the family and
physicians. While he has not conversed
to any extent even with his family for
some time past, he always has been able
to indicate his wants very clearly. To
questions asked him he always replied
intelligently, but in monosyllables.
DIR. Johnson said further there has been
really no hope of Blaine's recovery since
the sinking spell in December, but to
within two or three weeks strong hopes
were telt that life might be prolonged.
Since then there was no hope, and prac-
tically nothing was done except to give
him nourishment. If the family con-
sents, the physicians will make state
ment of the progress of the disease.
CAUSE OF HIS DEATH.
Following is the official statement of
the attending physicians as to the cause
of death:
The beginning of Blaine's illness dates
back some years. The earliest signs of
nalf 4
doubt were due to gouty tendency
which manifested itself in subacite at
tacks OF gout, disturbances of digestion
and progressive innutrition and anoemia.
Subsequent events prove at this time that
charges were going in the arteries of the
body which resulted later i'll symptoms
of obliteration of the vessels and chronic
disease of the kidneys. In December
signs of lung complication appeared.
which was no doubt connected with the
general disease, but as a tuber bacillic was
found it is probable there was some
tubercular infection as well. Much of
the distress which Blaine suffered was
associated with the disease of the lungs
and death was certainly fastened bv it
For three days before Blaine's death.
there was no marked change in his con-
dition, and on the night before death he
did not seem TO be in any immediate
danger. Toward the morning of the 9th
the pulse was observed to be very feeble
and his breathing became very much en-
barrassed. As a result, the heart falling
action, udema Of the lungs occurred, and
he died, without suffering, at IL O'Clock.
Doctors Janeway and Loomis of New
York, were called i'll consultation, and
rendered important services by their
advice. WILLIAM JOHNSTON, NJ. ID.
FRANK HYATT, NJ. D.,
This statement will not be supple
mented by an autopsy on the body of
Mr.. Blaine, the members of the family
being thoroughly satisfied as 20 the cause
of ,Jaotb