Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-09
Alexan1ria Gazftte.
SATURDAY EVENING. DEC. 9, 1905
The Death of Sen ator Mi tchell


As was stated in the GszetIe, Unit6d
States Senator Jchn H. Mitchell died at
the Good Samaritan Hospital, in Port
land, Oregon, yesterday, death re'ultlng
from complications which followed the
removal of four teeth at dental office
Thursday morning. HemOrrhsge OF un-
usual severity followed the removal OF
The teeth, and, despite the application
of the most powerful styptics known to
dental science, the flow of blood could
not be stayed. Physicians were sum-
moned to the dental Office, but the com
biped scientific knowledge OF the den
lists and physicians could not stop the
flow of blood. The Senator's condition
soon became alarming and 1t was DE"
termined TO remove him to the hospital.
When the Senator reached the hospital
he was in a very weakened condition and
it became apparent that unless the now
of blood was soon stopped be would die.
Senator Mitchell had long been a suf-
serer from diabetes and other vitiating
diseases, ard in his weakened physical
condition rapidly succumbed to the IN
eyitable weakness following such violent
hemorrhagea, and lapsed irtO state OF
semi consciousness early III the evening.
Four physicians, worked over the
Senator. and about 7 O'Clock Thursday
night temporarily stopped the hemor-
rhage, but the relief was of short
duration, and again the blood began to
f,g intermittently, continuing during
the evening and through the night. AT
an early hour yesterday morning severe
vomiting spell further weakened the Sem
ator and il becao,e more and more ap-
parent that the end was approaching.
All during the night saline solution was
injected into the veins to furnish more
fluid for the circumlatOry system and to
stimulate the sluggish circulation.
The diabetic coma into which The SEN
ator lspsed grew more aud more pro
nounced despite the frequent use OF
powerful stimulants, Iand only occasional
evidences of certain degree OF mental
activity rewarded the untinng efforts
Of the physicians and nurses 10 attend
ance. Several hours before death the 10
lection Of saline solution was discon-
tinued aud more powerful heart stimu-
lants resorted to, but with no effect on
the rapidly sinking man.
After daylight the Senator's condition
grew worse, and pronounced indications
of modification became evident, espe-
cially in the ankles. knees and hips.
Several hours before death the action OF
the heart at times became almost imper-
ceptible, and the breath came in short,
spasmodic gasps. As the end approach
ed these symptoms became more and more
pronounced, death ensuing at ll;4O
O'Clock.
Senator Mitchell did not at any time
realize the seriousness Of his condition.
When he visited the dental office Thurs
day he was 10 weakened condition,
owing to the disease which affected him,
and his request that an auestbetic be ad'
ministered was declined, the dentist per-
suading him that such course might
prove harmful. The first three teeth
were extracted with little or no trouble,
the flow of blood being normal. The ex-
tracing of the fourth tooth war difl-
cult task. and it was following the re-
mova Of this that the violent hemor-
rhage manifested itself.