The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-28
DIR. JOHSsoN's REPORT.


VI tho Progress Of tho Last Illness OF Mr..
Blaine.
WAsHINdTor, Jan. 27.--To a reporter Dr.
johnson said: II was called TO the Blaine
residence at $50 this morning and found
Blaine very much exhausted. He had
grown weaker during the early morning.
About $50 tho nurse observed that his
breathing Was more difficult and the p1lse
moro feeble. Or. Hyatt was also sent for.
and arrived at 10. After my arrival Blaine
continued 10 grow worse very rapidly, his
pulse becoming very feeble. At II he was
perfectly conscious and remained so till n
few moments of his death. recognizing all
those around him, and died without suffer
1nG." In answer to the question, did
Blaine die OF Brights diBease?" the phys-
clan said:
while there have been, during the last
several months, evidences of chronic dis
ease OF the kidneys, being Of the form COM
monty known as Bri2ht's disease. yet this
was not the sole cnuse 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 irreQularity of the
During yesterday nothing of ini ortance
occurred. Blaine simply laid there in a
feeble condition, taking very little nour-
fshment since the serious attack Of Dec.
IL. and this consisted almost wholly of
milk. At no time had he had any difficulty
with the stomach and had been able to
digest whatever food was given him.
'IhrouRhout the long illness he has been
able to recognize his family and physicians
While he had not converted to any great
extent. even with the family. for some time
past. he had always been able to indicate
his wants very clearly. To questions asked
him he always replied intelligently, but in
monosy llables."
DR.. johnson said further there had been
really no hope of B!aine's recovery since
the sinking spell in December. Within swo
or three weeks there was strong hope that
life might be prolonged. Since then there
had been no hope, and practically nothing
was done except to give nourshment.
The 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 i'll health were associated with, and no
doubt due to equity tendency which mani
tested itself IN subacute attack of Gout.
disturbances of digestion and D oppressive
innutrition and anemia. Subsequent events
prove that at this time changes we're going
on in the arteries of the body which re-
suited later in symptoms of obIiteration Of
the vessels and chrome disease of the kid
neys. IN december signs OF lung compli-
cations appeared, which were, no doubt,
connected with the general disease; but it
is probable there was some tubercular in
fection as we'll.
much of the distress which Blaine suf-
fered was associated with the disease of the
lungs, and dea4h was certainly FASTENED
by it. For three days before Blaine's death
there was no marked change in his condi-
tion and on the night before death he did
not 9 m to be in any immediate danger.
Towards the morning of the 9th, his pulse
WAC obse vad to be very feeble and his
breathing became much emba rassed. AS
result Of the heart failing in action odema
of the lungs occurred, and be died without
much suffering at IL o'clock