The Washington times., 1909-03-08
SICK MAN SOOTHED
BY WIFE'S PRESENCE
Lieutenant Commanders
Condition Is Puzzling
His Physicians.

Soothed by the presence Of his wife
at his bedside, Lieut.. Com. James II.
Reid is resting easily at the Naval
Medical School Hospital, although he
remains in serious condition. All day
and most of last night Mrs. Reid, with
tear-stained face. has leaned over the
cot, keeping her weary vigil, and it is
this alone that keeps her husband quiet.
When she leaves him for an instant he
becomes restless and has to be hell
IN his bed
The condition OF the unfortunate man
Is puzzling Medical Director Harmon
and his assistants, and they frankly
ADMIT that they can not determine his
chances for recovery. Ever since the
patient took his flying head-long plunge
from the secOnd-story window OF the
hospital yesterday afternoon, he has
been completely out of his head. and at
times would fall into unconsciousness
from which he was Immediately aroused
when his wife left his side The fun
extent of the injuries sustained I'm hi
leap can not be ascertained because Of
the nature OF his illness, but It is
known that he is suffering from scalp
wounds and concussion of the brain
and fracture of his right collarbone.
The effect Of the blow on the head is
being watched with interest by the at
tending physicians. It is believed by
them that the shock may prove a cure
for the Iong-sustained delirious condi-
ton Of the patient. but on the other
hand. it may permanently affect his
brain.
Wife BTavely Waits
These facts are known to Mrs Reid.
but she is bravely awaiting the out
come It was her intention, she said,
TO have her husband removed TO a pri-
vate sanitarium last week. but. owing
TO the inaugural crush, this was i'm
possible. She hopes. however. to move
him in few days IL his condition will
permit.
Commander Reid was brought to the
Naval Hospital, at the foot of Twen-
ty-fourth street, TWO weeks ago Since
that time, Mrs. Reid has been with
him almost constantly. She left for a
while yesterday and intended to return
in the afternoon. Because Of his de-
IlriuIn her husband was under constant
watch by an attendant.
He was unusually quiet early in the
afternoon. and about O'CLOCK he
asked for a drink of water. His nurse
being careful not to leave the room.
went TO the door and called for one OF
the attendants on the first floor. just
door. the patient Ieaped from his cot
and showed him through the door, slam
ming IL behind him and barricading it.
Leaps From Window.
when the attendant succeeded in get
ting the door open il was just in time
to see the sick man dive head foremost
from the window. The nurse then sum
rnoned assistance. and Commander Reid
VAS found semi-conscious and groan-
ing on the gravel path around the hos
pital. He was taken TO the emergency
room. where his wounds were tenn
porarily. dressed.
Lieutenant Commander Reid comes
from a prominent Virginia family, and
before his entry into the naval service
lived with his parents in Alexandria
During the summer OF 1907 he was nayi-
eating officer Of the cruiser Des MONIES,
which was then IN the tropics. Com
Tnander Reid became i'll, Suffering with
tropical fever. which always causes
tleliriurn and from which he has never
recovered Since October, 1907, he has
condition became worse two weeks ago,
md he was brought from his home in
Alexandria to the hospital in this city.
Leave of Absence
orders were issued 1t the Navy De-
partment today granting Lieuten-
tenant Commander Reid three months
sick leave upon his discharge from
the Naval Medical School Hospital.
This order was issued merely for
the purpose OF keeping the rec
ords and to permit Mrs. Reid
10 have her husband treated where
abe wished. The order has been period
fCal for the past year and half, three
months periods OF sick leave having
been granted six successive times.
Should Commander Reid recover ne
Will be restored to duty in the line OF
46e navy He has a fine record as an
officer. and HIS always been a general
favorite IN the service.