Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-13
Senator Hanna's Condition

Washington, Feb. 3.-For more than
three hours yesterday afternoon Senator
Hanna was so close to deaths door that
the physicians at his bedside expected
the end at any moment. All hope had
been abandoned. Then he rallied, and
his condition became more encouraging
The medical men were unwillingly to say
that the crisis of the disease had passed,
but they told the anxious watchers that
there no longer was reason to despair.
At midnight Senator Hanna's tempera-
ture was los. A sponge bath reduced it
to 102 He was in a semi-comatose con-
dition of slumber, and the physicians
looked for no change before morning.
The patient suffered chill at O'Clock
yesterday afternoon, followed by extreme
depression. He soon lapsed into uncon-
seriousness, and it was feared death was
athand. kilograms were sent to relatives
in distant cities, summoning them to
Washington, and the members OF the
immediate family at the bedside were told
they must be prepared to bear the trial
| VI cCDdia
At s O'Clock this morning Senator
Hanna was sleepiny peacefully and there
had been no apparent change in his con-
ditiOn since two clock in the morning.
At $3.50 a bulletin YVES issued which
stated that the Senator had a comfortable
night; the temperature was higher-105.
This morning at o'clock the pulse was
100, respiration 92, temperature lO4.9.
The patient is taking nourishment well.
The most heroic measures known to medi-
cal science have served to bring the strick-
EN- Senator through one sinking spell
successfully. Nitro-glycerine, strychnine,
arsenic, and saline solution were among
the remedies administered. A tank of
oxygen was kept beside the Senator s bed
throughout the night, the funnel being
placed on his lips at frequent intervals.
To the timely administration of the
oxygen after the chill of yesterday after
noon, the doctors largely abscribe his re-
markable rally.
The doctors are having considerable
trouble this morning, since the Senator
awoke, in keeping his temperature down,
resorting frequently to sponge baths. AT
9 :45 the Senator had not been given any
oxygen for more than an hour. The
gravest fact in connection with his case
is that he does not respond to the cold
baths as we'll as he did last night At
that time his temperature would decrease
two or three degrees after the bath,
whereas this morning the treatment has
only resulted in reducing the tempera-
ture one degree or even less His high
temperature is regarded as the principal
danger signal At 3 o'clock this morn
ing it was over 105, the highest it has
ever been during his illness. The latest
bulletin, which gave his temperature at
lO4. 9, was taken just before he wasgiven
bath. During the night the Senator
got considerable natural sleep. Elmer
Dover, the Senator's secretary, said this
morning: Last night it appeared that
the Senator had not one chance in a mill
lion this morning he has about chance
in 500. There is faint hope Of his re-
covery; that's ALL" The Senator is con-
scious but is very weak, and, of course, is
unable to talk. In fact the only way
the doctors know he is conscious is that
when they ask him to do things, such as
to take a long breath, swallow or wait a
moment before swallowing, he does so.
Dr. Osler left for Baltimore on the 10
O'Clock train and will return this after
noon. This is regarded as sign that
no immediate danger is expected. A
letter was received by a guest at the
Arlington this morning from Sister
Leonardo, superior of the Alexian Hos
pital, in Cleveland. There are 500
Sisters in Ohio praying for Senator Han
mas recovery" she said. "He is one
of our finest friends" For many years
Senator Hanna has furnished the Alex
ian Hospital with coal. A standing
order has been on file at his yards that
whenever the good sisters sent for coal
they should Immediately receive it, no
matter what the quantity might be.
In many others ways he has helped the
charities Of the Catholic Church as well
as the good works of other denomina.
tons in Cleveland
Dan Hanna came out Of the Senator's
room at Ills. He said his father could
not talk to him but seemed to recognize
him. II. NJ. Hanna, the Senator's
brother, discussing the case said: "The
Senator, while, far better than he was
last night, is not 50 well as he was yes
terday morning"
At u o'clock the following bulletin
was issued Senator Hanna is resting
quietly. temperature 1898; pulse l15;
respiration "a. He continues to take
his nourishment well. There has been
no change in his general condition since
the morning bulletin was issued.
The doctors are reducing the quantity
and number of injections of the saline
solution and also the amount of stimu
lants. The doctors are pot willing to
say that they have control of the tempeIa
ture by any means because it is apt 10
rise or fall at any moment. But at pre-
sent the patients conditian is considered
favorable.
After the noon bulletin was issued,
the Senator was given cold sponge bath
which caused reduction in his tempera-
ture but again made manifest his extreme
weakness. Later it was announced that
because of this weakness it had become
necessary to again resort TO the use of
oxygen.
Secretary Hays Note.