The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-01
THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

fntersticial Nephritis,a Form of Brights
Disease, Coupled With Lung and Heart
Trouble. The Fatal Attack.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The physicians
have officially made public the cause Of
death as intersticial nephritis, form OF
Brights disease, aggravated by tnber-
cular disease of the lungs, and followed
by heart failure.
DIR. Johnston said that since the attack
OF heart failure on Sunday, December l 8
last, there had been no hope of Mr..
Biaine's ultimate recovery His death was
but question of how long his remarkable
vitality would hold out.
Following is the official statement of
the attending physicians, Drs. Johnston
and Hyatt:
"The beginning of Mr.. Blaine's illness
dates back some years. The earliest
signs of ill-health were associated with
and no doubt due to gouty tendency,
which manifested itself in sub-acute
attacks of gout, disturbances of digestion
and progressive innutrition and anoemia
"Subsequent events prove that at this
time changes were going on in the art
cries of the body, which resulted later In
symptoms of obliteration of vessels and
In chronic disease OF the kidneys. The
attack of paralysis in 1887 was connected
with similar alterations in the blood yes
sells OF the brain.
During the summer of 1899 the eyi-
dences of failing health were more de-
cided, and in November, after his return
to Washington, his symptoms suddenly
assumed an aggravated form From this
time, although there were periods of ap-
parent Improvement, he continued to
grow worse from week TO week.
THE symptoms were, at first, more di-
rectly connected with the kidneys, and
examinations of the urine showed that
there was progressive intersticial
N in ha and hlN
be had form of chronic Bright's
disease. In December signs Of
lung complications appeared, winch
were no doubt connected with the
general disease; but as tubercle bacllii
were found in the sputa, II is probable
that there was some tubercular infection
as well. Much of the distress which Mr..
Blame suffered was associated with this
disease of the lungs and his death was
certainly hastened by IT,
Toward the end of December, the
heart began to show signs OF unusual
weakness from cardiac degeneration and
dilatation, and on December / 8 he had an
alarming attack of heart exhaus-
ton; from this he rallied, bat
others or the same nature
middle OF January these attacks ceased
and the action of the heart was more
uniformly good. There was, however, q
daily loss of flesh and strength.
For three days before Mr.. Blaines
death there was no marked change in his
condition; each day he seemed somewhat
more feeble than on the day before, and
on the night before his death he
did not seem to be in any imme.
diate danger. Towards the morning OF
January 27 his pulse was observed to
be very feeble and his breathing more
embarrassed. As result of the failing
heart action oedema oil the lungs oc.
CURED, and he died without much suffer.
inc at ! l o'clock
During the whole o. Mr.. Blaiue's IN.
ness the digestion was well performed, and
liquid food, chiefly milk, was taken In full
quantities His mind was generally
clear, except when clouded by uroemis
and disturbed brain circulation AL
though unable to express himself In
words, he recognized all the membefs OF
his family up TO within few moments OF
his DEATH
The statement of the physicians will
not be supplemented by an autopsy, the
members OF the family being thoroughly
satisfied as to the cause OF death THE
body will not be embalmed for burial. the
family ohicctinr TO any disturbance Of it