The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-01

Statement Authorized by the Family
and Physicians.


PATERSON, n. j., Oct. 3l-The following
statement of the origin and development of
the illness of Vice President Hobart is au-
thorized by his family and by the physi-
clans who have attended him:
There are several reasons why the exact
nature Of the Vice Presidents malady has
been withheld from the public In the first
place, the family has desired TO reserve to
itself the privilege of retaining such facts
as were Of private nature, at the same
time recognizing the right of the public to
accurate information I'm the case of in
valid holding high public Office. Moreover.
there were reasons connected with the Vice
Presidents relations 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 consid-
cred. He was diligent reader of the news
papers and Ii was observed that the alarm
ing reports which crept into the papers and
there met the Vice Presidents eye had a
most unfavorable effect. For these reasons
1t was deemed advisable TO keep certain
facts from the public. Recently the family
and physicians have decided to place the
facts more clearly before those interested
and the following statement is therefore is
sued 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 physicians observed symptoms
of embarrassed respiration. with frequent
attacks of angina pectoris This condition
responded readily to treatment and when
the Vice President went TO Washington in
1o~N %
health. He stood remarkably well the strain
and excitement incidental to the opening of
Congress and he was making favorable
progress until in January he became a vic
tim of the grip. Folio wing this there was a
return Of the heart trouble. accompanied
with signs of degeneration. His ailment
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 excite
| ment of delivering the closing speech were
| SO great that he was on the verge of a coll
| lapse.
"A few weeks after, toward the middle of
March, the Vice President and his family,
together with the presidential party. went to
| Thomasville, Ga, to visit Senator Hanna
The fatigue of the trip affected Mr. Hobart
very unfavorably and his condition was
! further impaired by the intense heat and
! humidity then prevailing. As soon as pos
| sible he was taken to Long Branch, where
| beneficial results from the sea air and quiet
| were expected. His progress toward recov-
cry was not made, however, at the rate that
was anticipated and a trip to Lake Cham
| plain, with the fatigue and exposure in
| cidental thereto. hastened rather than re-
tarded the course OF his disease. Since then
his system has not responded TO the minis
| trations Of his physicians and the critical
condition Of the last few days has been the
result
| 1T should be added that ever since his ILL
ness became serious the Vice President has
had the benefit of the best medical advice
| and treatment. His attending and consult
| Ing physicians have at all times agreed upon
| the nature Of his disease and upon the treat
rnent OF 1t and the results to be expected.
1T is apparent from this statement that
the Vice President is in no condition to re-
sumo his political duties at Washington. His
| family desire, therefore. to announce that
| he Will not return 10 Washington. nor will
| he again take part In pubic affairs. His
| condition to-day is such that fatal result
may ensue at any moment or his present
condition may be indefinitely prolonged"