The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-22
BrandTeih Forewarnsd Of a
Stroke Of Apsp|sxy.
SOUGHT HEAVIER INSURANCE.
0pthaImascops Warned Examiners 10 Reject,
Temporarily, His Application for $780,
900 PONcy-huW Under Observation.

New York. March 22.-with great pa
tience and with the sole idea Of discount
ing the future by defeating death, Ralph
Branpreth, treasurer OF the Brandreth
company. OF "a Canal street, Is an in
mate OF the Bloomngdale Insane asylum.
He Is under observation. and IL ne can
go "A given period without suffering an
apopletic or paralytic stroke he Will in
crease his LIE insurance 10 tho sum OF
$4,000 and he will be rid OF the fear OF
sudden death.
IL the ophthalmoscope lied Mr.. Bran
dreth viii be placed in position 10 enrich
his heirs; IL II revealed the truth me has
only a brief time to live.
Mr.. Brandreth himself s. taking the
matter philosophically. No cold blooded
gambler could more coolly wait for the
east OF die than he is waiting for the
shock that will snap his threads of life.
William Brandreth. brother OF Ralph,
told a reporter his brother had been ra-
pidly accumulating flesh of late and had
practically given up all forms Of cXer-
else. He was an enthusiastic chauffeur.
and during the last year had scarcely
done any walking whatever. driving I'm his
automobile 10 his office from the Hotel
Manhattan. when stopping I'm this city.
and whenever his automobile was not
available, riding I'm cabs, horse cars and
trains In short his brother had been
living well had been growing stout at
what seemed TO him an alarming rate,
and had not been doing anything 10 pre-
serve his health.
He had had several conversations with
his brother about the matter. and the
latter had admitted that perhaps he had
grown a bit too ''logey." At the same
time he insisted that he was feeling in
good condition otherwise.
William Brandreth was not satisfied
with the situation, however and as the
result OF his expostulation his brother
finally decided 10 increase his policy in
the Mutual Life Insurance company TO
5000 The insurance company was duly
notified and two OF their physicians went
20 the Canal street Offices of the Bran
dreth company a week ago last Tuesday
10 examine the applicant.
Nothing of a particularly alarming ma
ture was noted by the physicians until
they began TO examine MIR. Brandreth's
eyes with the opthalmoscope. Such won
derful progress IN medical knowledge has
been made by the recent great improve
ments in this delicate instrument that
oculists are enabled TO see I'm the eye itself
unmista kable indications of many forms
of impending disease not discOverable by
any other means, and a short examina-
ton I'm this instance convinced the eN-
amners that their patient was in such n
condition that either apopleXy or paralysis
would inevitably make its appearance un-
less urgent measures were at once taken.
Mr.. Brandreth and his two brothers.
who were both present, were made ac-
quainted with the facts, and il was de-
cided that Mr.. Brandreth should imme-
diatey be put under the charge of skilled
physicians I'm the Bloomingdale asylum.
The physicians impressed IL upon the
brothers that no time should be lost, and
the same afternoon Mr.. Brandreth, ac-
companed by his brother William and
an intimate friend went To White Plains.
Mr. William Brandreth added that his
brother was In different section OF the
institution from the insane patients, and
was spending the greater portion OF his
time i'm exercise, using the gymnasium
and the bowling alleys to a great extent
He realized the gravity of his situation
and understood that his only hope lay in
complete rest from business cares. and
healthful exercise, but he did not lose
faith i'm his ability TO conquer disease.
DIR. Lyons. MIR. Brandreth continued.
was unwilling TO make any definite state
ment as To the patients outlook, but
had given him TO understand that the
chances for "A complete recovery were
about even. The undeniable fact was that
his brother was facing crisis which
would not come to n point before four or
six weeks IL the patient should face
this crisis successfully he would probably
recover entirely Should he FAIL To pass
IL, however. either paralysis or apopleXy
was certain.
The Brandreth family telephone the
asylum every morning az ii o'clock and
are given a report as TO the patients
condition. He himself knows nothing of
these daily inquiries as the policy of the
institution Is not TO disturb him I'm the
slightest degree. Yesterday mornings re-
port. MIR. William Brandreth said, had
shown no material change.
Mrs Ralph Brandreth who has been
children I'm Atlantic City, came north on
Wednesday and Is now staying with
cousin I'm lrvington. Whether she will be
allowed TO see her husband has not yet
been decided.
Mr.. Ralph Brandreth IS Il years old
and Is the youngest son OF the late Dr.
Benjamin Brandreth who made a for
tune i'm the patent medicine business. Tie
has until late years lived I'm the old Bran
dreth mansion in Ossining. but recently
bought a house and estate in Belport.
L. l. where he spends the summers.
During the winter his wife lives in At
lantic City and each week he spends the
time from Friday TO Monday with her
Two nights I'm the week he stays either
I'm the old Brandreth mansion or at one
or the other OF his brothers homes i'm
Ossining. In the intervening periods
he lives az tho Manhattan hotel