The San Francisco call., 1904-02-15
Condition Of the Noted Senator
Becomes Much More Alarm
ing and the End Is De-
clared to Be Very Near
NATIONS PRESIDENT
MAKES PERSONAL CALL
Sudden Changes in the 0hioan's
Struggle for. Life Cause
Amazement Among Medical
Men Nat City of Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. is, 3:45 a. m.
Senator Hanna has had another sink
ing spell. DIR. Osler was called from
his bed and he and DIR. Carter worked
laboriOusIy over the patient. As a re-
suit there has been a complete re-
action, although the Senator has been
left much weaker. DIR. Osler returned
to his bed, with instructions to be
called should another spell be immf-
ncnt.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-This was
regarded throughout as the crucial day
in Senator Hannas battle for life. 1t
began with assurances of quite an opti-
mistic character. The first news from
the sick room was announced shortly
after o'clock a. m. The Senator, the
doctors said, had passed a perfectly5
quiet night. His temperature was
1898, pulse 120 and stronger and his
respiration was declared to be satisfac-
tory, although no figure was given.
At intervals of two hours during the
night Senator Hanna had been aroused
and given nourishment, after which he
Immediately would resume his sleep.
The doctors supplemented the an
nouncement with the statement that
the condition of the Senator at those
times surpassed all their expectations.
This statement had hardly been is
sued when an unexpected change for
the worse took place. DR.. Osler had
gone to Mr.. Hanna's room and DR.. Car
ter and Secretary Dover had stepped
down to the dining-room for breakfast.
Dr. Rixey had not arrived, and the Sem
ator was alone with his nurses. Sud
denly he became noticeably weaker
His rapid breathing excited alarm, and
other evident signs of distress caused a
hurried summons for both physicians.
On their almost instant arrival his
pulse was beating at the alarming rate
of 137 and his respiration was above 40
The oxygen apparatus was immediate
ly put into use, the breathing cone was
placed over the Senator's mouth ana
nostrils and relief secured.
DOUBT AMONG DOCTORS.
At $3.50 o'clock an official bulletin was
issued covering this period. The ply
sicians declined to- make further COM
ment on the outlook, but it was noticed
that their optimism of the early morn
ing had been entirely dissipated by the
8 O'Clock sinking spell. However, for
the next few hours the reports which
came officially from the bedside OF the
Senator all told Of his wonderful re-
cuperative powers
Al 1920 a. m. DIR. Osler declared Sem
ator Hanna to be entirely recovered
from the depression of the early morn
ing hours. At this time the doctor left
for Baltimore, with the understanding
that he would return at 4:30 in the aft
ernoon. Drs. Rixey, Carter and rui-
cher remained in constant attendance<
At noon an official bulletin was issued
showing a drop of nearly two degrees in
the Senator's temperature, which vas
looked. on as a most encouraging sign,
especially in view of the fact that the
bath had not been resorted to to re-
duce the fever. II. NJ. Hanna, the Sem
ator's brother, on coming from the SICK
room just as the noon bulletin was is
sued. said that very decided improve
ment in every respect had taken place
during the half hour Immediately pre-
ceding.
A lapse of nearly two hours then in
tervened without news, when suddenly,
at 2 o'clock, Mr.. Dick of Ohio and Mr..
Dover came from the Senator's apart
ments with the announcement that the
Senator had suffered another severe
sinking spell and had failed utterly to
respond to all stimulants administered
to revive him.
REPORT CAUSES ALARM.
This news came like bolt from
clear sky. The hotel corridors had been
thronged throughout the day with
anxious inquirers as to the Senator's
condition. The latest news from the
sick room caused hush throughout
the Hobbies. Medill Mccormick, the
Senator's son-in-law, was dispatched
in haste for more powerful stimulants.
These came, but the next report, few
minutes later said that the doctors de-
clared the end to be only a question of
perhaps minutes, but at most of hours.
Then, within a space of three min
utes, the patient rallied, his conscious
ness returned, and by the exertion Of
his wonderful viii power Senator Han
na. seemed to pull himself together in
what the doctors and those at the bed
side regarded as a most miraculous
manner. But the fight was by no
means won. Although the afternoon
relapse had been rallied from, 1t had
left a badly weakened frame for future
battles. The restoratives were contin-
ued and the Senator would doze again
into a stupor.
When the situation looked most
critical this afternoon the members Of
tie family were assembled in the
siclroom. Mrs. Hanna was in almost
constant attendance at the bedside.
Others in the room were the daugh-
ters. Ruth. and Mabel respectively,
Mrs. Medill Mccormick and Mrs.
Harry A. Parsons, with their hus-
hands: the Senator's son, Dan r.
Hanna and his wife: II. M. Hanna,
the Senator's brother. and Miss
Phelps, a niece. After the Senator
had made his wonderful and unex-
pected rally the ladies, with the ex-
ception of Mrs. Hanna. went out at
the suggestion of the physicians for
short walks and drives.
PRESIDENT A CALLER.
President Roosevelt called to make
a personal inquiry shortly after noon.
Governor Herrick of Ohio arrived in
Washington at $3.50 this morning and
went at once to the Senator's apart
ment Former Postmaster General
Smith arrived from Philadelphia.
Postmaster General Payne and Gov
ernor Herrick lunched together at the
hotel, where both remained through
ont the day in constant touch with the
Senator's condition. Representative