Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-01

The following statement of the origin
ana development If the illness IF Vice
President Hobart is authorized by his
family and by the physicians who have
attended him:
There arc several reasons why the
exact nature Of Vice President Hobart's
malady has been withheld from the
public. In the first place, the family
hls desired to reserve to itself the
privilege of retaining such facts as
We're Of a private nature. AT the same
tim" recognizing the right of the pub
lie To accurate information in the case
If an invalid holding a public office.
Moreover. there were reasons con
ncctcd with the Vice Pre- sident's rela-
tions with tn" government which
prompted d similar policy. This was
done. however, not for he purpose of
secrecy. but to avoid embarrassment.
In addition. the effect Of publicity
upon the Vice Presidents health had
TO Ec considered. He was a diligent
reader Of the newspapers and il was
observed that the alarming reports
which crept into the papers, and there
met the Vice Presidents eye had a
most unfaVorable effect. For these
reasons il 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 issued
in accordance with this plan:
The illness of the Vice President may
be said to date from the fall of 1875. prior
Vemher. At that time his physicians OBJ
served symptoms if embarrassed respira
ZION, with frequent attacks Of angina pee
toris. This readily responded to treat
mcnt ana when the Vice President went
to Washington. in the latter part of No
Nember. ne was in good health. He stool
remarkably we'll the strain and excite
ment at the opening of Congress and H.
was making favorable progress until. in
January. he became victim of the pre-
VailinE epidemic, grip. Following this
cnmpanied 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 excitement
81 delivering the closing speech were so
great that ne was on the verge of a col
lapse. A few weeks afterwards towards
the middle of March. the Vice President
and his family, together with the Presi-
Dental party. went to Thomasvilie. Ga:
the trip affected Mr.. Hobart very IN
favorably. and his condition was further
impaired by the intense heat and humid
itE then prevailing
AS soon as possible. he was taken to
Long Branch. where beneficial results
from the sea and quiet We're expected.
His progress toward recovery was not
made. however, at the rate that was an
ucipated. and trip to Lake Champlain
with the fatigue and exposure incidental
thereto. FASTENED rather than retarded
the course of his disease. Since then his
system has not responded to the ministra
tons OF his physicians and the critical
condition OF the last few days has been
the result.
1T should be added that ever since his
illness became serious the Vice President
has had the benefit of the best medical
advice and treatment.
IL il apparent from this statement that
the Vice President is in no condition to
resume mis- present duties at Washington.
/ His family desires. therefore. to announce
! that he viii not return to Washington
( nor will he again take part in public
/ affairs. His cond ton. today. is such that
fatal result may ensue at any moment.
or his present condition may be indef
nitely prolonged