The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-01
ILLNESS OF VICE PRESIDENT
STATEMENT As 10 ITS ORIGIN AND
DEVELOPMENT.

Ehysicians-h heasOns why Exact Nm
ture of MaIady Has BEEN withheld
MI. Hobart VIII Not Return to Wash.
ington Again or Take Part In Public
Affairs.
Paterson N. j., Oct. 31.-The follow
ing statement of the origin and devel-
opment of the illness of Vice President
Hobart is authorized by his family and
by the physicians who have attended
him: 'There are several. reasons why
the exact nature of Vice President Ho-
barts malady has been withheld from
the public. In the first place the fam
lily has desired to reserve to itself the
privilege of retaining such facts as
were of a private nature, at the same
time recognizing the right of the pub
lie to accurate information in the case
of an invalid holding high public Of
flee Moreover there We're reasons con-
nected with the vice presidents rela-
tons with the government which
prompted a similar policy. This was
done, however, not for the purpose of
secrecy, but to avoid embarrassment
In addition the effect of publicity upon
the vice presidents health had to be
considered. He was a diligent reader
of the newspapers and it was abserved
that the alarming reports which crept
into the papers and re-met the vice
presidents eye had most unfavora BILE
effect. For these reasons, it was
deemd advisable to keep certain facts
from the public. Recently the family
and physicians have decided to place
the facts more clearly before those in
terested and the following statement is
therefore issued in accordance with this
plan.
THE illness of the vice president
may be said to date from the fall of
1898, prior to his return to Washington
in November. AT that time his physi-
clans observed symptoms Of embarrass-
ed respiration. with frequent attacks of
angina pectoris. This complaint re-
sponded readily to treatment and when
he went to Washington in the latter
part of November he was in good
health. He stood remarkably the strain
and excitement incidental to the open
ing Of congress, and he was making fa-
vorable progress until in January, he
became victim of the prevailing cpl
demic, grip Following this there was a
return of the heart trouble, accompa-
MED with signs of degeneration. His
aiment was diagnosed as dilated right
heart due to myocarditis. The recovery
from this attack was less rapid, and on
the last day of the session of the senate
the strain and excitement of delivering
the closing speech were SO great that
he was on the verge of collapse
"A few weeks afterwards toward the
middle of March, the vice president and
his family together with the presiden-
tial party went to Thomasville, Ga, to
visit Senator Hanna. The fatigue of
the trip affected Mr.. Hobart very un-
favorably and his condition was fur
ther impaired by the intense heat and
then prevailing. AS soon as
possible he was taken to Long Branch
where beneficial results from the sea
air and quiet were expected. His prog
'ess toward recovery was not made,
however, at the rate that was antici-
Dated and a trip to Lake Champlain,
With the fatigue and exposure incidental
hereto hastened rather than retarded
he course of this disease Since then
his system has not responded to the
of his physicians, and the
lritical condition of the last few days
las been the result.
1T should be added that ever since
lis illness became serious the vice presi-
lent has had the benefit of the best
medical advice and treatment. His at
ending and consulting physicians have
It all times agreed upon the nature of
lis disease and upon the treatment of
and the results to be expected.
"It is apparent from this statement
hat the vice president is in no condi-
ion to resume his politcail duties at
Washington. His family desires, there
ore, to announce that he will not re-
urn to Washington nor will he again |
AXE part in public affairs. His condi-
ion to-day is such that fatal result |
nay ensue at any moment or his pres |
mt condition may be indefinitely pro- |
,nged."