The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-09
Three Attacks Of Heart Failure
Leave No Hope.
PRAYERS BY A PRESBYTERIAN
CLERGYMAN AT HIS BEDSIDE.
All Hope Abandoned in the Blaine House
hold-The Family Gathered About the
Bed of the Dying Mana Midnight
Bulletin Gives No Encouragement.

|
Bulletin Gives No Encouragement.
WASHINGTON, January S.-Dr. John
ston issued from the Blaine mansion at
o'clock this morning. When questioned
he said he was summoned to Mr.. Blaine's
residence at this morning and had been
in attendance ever since. Mr.. Blaine, he
said, began to grow weaker yesterday
afternoon. This condition grew worse as
night came on and continued through the
night This morning Mr.. Blaine was in
really dangerous condition, SO much SO
as to cause apprehensions for the worst.
When asked if Mr.. Blaines chances for
rallying were equal with the unfavorable
70 ssibilities, DR.. Johnston replied that
the chances leaned toward failing on the
part of the patient.
DR.. Hyatt was called in early this morn
ing and arrived at the house shortly be-
fore seven. After consultation Of the
two physicians, DR.. Johnston at a. m.
went home for breakfast, leaving DR..
Hyatt at Mr. Blaine's bedside. DR.. John
ston returned to Mr.. Blaine's residence
shortly before 10. A few minutes later
| DR.. Hyatt went to breakfast. He stated
that Nj. Blaine had rallied somewhat
since early morning, and responded more
freely to medicines administered. They
revived him somewhat and the action of
the heart was better. Mr.. Blaine was
still very feeble, but there was improve
ment from the very critical condition of
the early morning. DR.. Hyatt returned
to the house after breakfast. Mr.. Blaine's
| physicians at noon made the folloWl- 6
| statement:
yesterday Mr.. Blaine lost strength.
| Last night weakness became more de-
cided. and for few hours he seemed in
danger of speedy dissolution. Since
morning. he is somewhat stronger, and
at the present moment shows more de-
cided evidence of rallying. No great
hope can be felt unless improvement be-
comes more marked than at present and
be continued some hours. His present
symptoms are connected with irregular
action of the heart"
Towards evening Mr.. Blaine rallied
slightly from the attack of this morning.
I This rally was effected by the doctors
administering nitro-glycerine to stimu-
late the action of the heart, which is be-
lieved to be almost clogged by uraemie
poisoning. This drug is the most pow
erful known to medical science and is
never used except on desperate occa-
sions. Repeated doses of the medicine
were given during the day.
After the noon hour, Mr.. Blaine grad
ually fell into semi-stupor. his sleep
| becoming more restful as it continued.
| AT 5 O'clock, DIR. Johnston said Mr..
Blaine's condition showed slight i'm
| provement over the morning and noon
time. He left the house at 5 o'clock.
DIR. Hyatt, who had been out, returned
almost Immediately.
| 1t is ascertained there were three dis
tinct relapses during the night. AT a.
M, when Mr.. Blaine was first seized
with heart failure, his physician eally
thought the end had come. Mr.. Blaine
was sinking rapidly, and Dr. Johnston
worked over him for some time before
signs of recovery became evident. His
condition was so alarming that the fami-
| ly looked for the end before dawn. He
remained awake for the rest of the
night By the aid of stimulants, chat
| ing and the usual accessories, Mr.. Blaine
rallied, but soon afterwards relapsed into
stupor. Suddenly, at S o'clock this
morning, he opened his eyes, which
were as clear as ever, and, seeing the
| physician, exclaimed: Doctor, am
| glad you have come" The tones OF his
| voice were remarkably clear and strong
| for man almost in extremis. Five min
utes later he had a second attack of
heart failure. Strange to relate, he
ag in rallied, only to be seized
| the third time, three hours
| lat II. Powerful heart restoratives
| applied by the doctors were successful
| in rallying and making more steady the
| feeble and fitful pulsations of the heart,
| so by the time that church-goers passed
| the family residence Mr.. Blaine's condi-
ton was shade better. He was still SO
weak and Frustrated the doctors did not
| dare both leave him at the same time,
fearing another attack and final summons
might come any moment.
Representative and Mrs. Hit, intimate
personal friends of the Blaine ia lily,
were about the earliest callers of the day.
| They learned from members of the fami-
| ly that Mr.. Blaine passed very bad
night and the worst was to be feared.
| They then went away. Mr.. Hit was
| heartsick at the news and his face showed
plainly the grief he felt at the coming
| dissolution of his 10 6 time friend. He
sorrowfully admitted he did not think
| either Mrs. Blaine or the other members
of the family hoped for ultimate recov-
cry. He said Mrs. Blaine was evidently
prepared for the worst
Robert Blaine. brother of the sick
man, called about II and remained long
er than on any of his visits on previous
days. Subsequent to leaving the house
he said his brother was quite low and
did not think it possible for any material
| improvement to manifest itself.
| Soon after II an intimate friend OF the
family left the residence and was driven
to the Western Union Telegraph Compa-
ny, where kilograms were sent to rela-
tives of the family announcing the lat
est state ofillness. These stated, it is
understood, that the family was without
hope that Mr.. Blaine would recover.
| All during the afternoon. visitors were
coming to and going from the Blaine
mansion, the news of his dangerous con-
dition having travelled with great rapid
| ty in official and social circles. Among
the callers were Vice President Morton,
panreeeptatiya R0utelIe Secretary of