Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20
Senator's Conditio! a Little
More Encouraging.
HEART ACTION EXCELLENT
Physicians Believe He Has Fighting
Chance for Life.
STILL RETAINS CONSCIOUSNESS
Dr.. Babcock and Members of States
mans Family Arrive From
South Carolina.

Senator Tillman's condition was a lit
tie more encouraging at a late hour last
night than it had been during the day.
DR.. Z. +. Pickford said that it appeared
that the senator was slightly better.
A bulletin givan out by the physicians
early last evening needed no revision at
midnight. The bulletin read:
Senator Tfllman has not lost any
ground during the day. Temperature.
9S6; pulse. "A; respiration, IS. The char
acter of the hearts action is excellent.
He Is fully conscious and writes with his
left hand. Bodily functions normal. Out
look more encouraging than twenty-four
hours ago.
lille the case continues to be grave.
Senator Tillman's chances for recovery
are said by his physicians to be better
than even.
This CLEAN of hope born of the fact
mat the vital organs of the senator not
directly affected by the stroke of paraly-
Sis are performing their functions admit
rably, has given the statesman's relatives
and friends the greatest encouragement
they have received in the past forty
eight hours.
Family Physician Arrives.
DR.. J. w. Babcock, who has been Mr.
AA'ANAieAAi - pIi0oudi pily oitldil lCT tic last
nineteen years, reached Washington
early yesterday from Columbia, S. c.. and
| entered into consultation on the case
with DR.. e. F. Pickford. the senator's
Washington physician. Dr. Babcock is
superintendent of the South Carolina
State Hospital for the Insane, and on ac-
count of his intimate acquaintance with
Mr.. Tlllman is thoroughly conversant
with his physical condition and habits of
in, oSbi v,ytp ~,
consultation with DIR. Pickfo. d until the
present crisis has passed, several days,
at least
While there has been no change in the
paralysis and aphasia, no complications
have developed IN tie senator's case,
and his temperature. pulse and respira-
ton are normal. His heart is respond
Ing to it's functions splendidly. and no
disorder OF the kidneys has arisen. He
swallows liquids without difficulty, and
Is conscious. Yesterday he recognized
those about him. including DIR. Babcock,
who said, THE senator even smiled when
cracked few South Carolina jokes"
Patient Is Encouraged.
The doctors believed Mr.. TiIlman him.
self felt encouraged. and they based their
| hope of his ultimate recovery upon the
absence of further unfavorable symp-
toms. If his present condition can be
maintained a few days longer. ii is said,
ne will have good chance in his fight
for life.
He may recover from the paralysis and
regalI the use of limb. but, it is said,
apnas1a VIII kelly leave him the saddest
token of his illness. 1t is almost impos-
slDle for him to articuIate at the present
time and 1t is feared the power of speech
may never full Y return. If this be the
mo Its echo in the halls of Congress.
Surrounded by Family.
The senator is now surrounded by his
entire immediate family. Henry c. and
Sa lie May Tillman. his son and daugh-
ter, reached the bedside of their father
eaily yesterday from Greenwood, S. c.
his wife, their eldest son, Benjamin r.
Ifllman, jr., and two daughters, Iona
and sophia, have been with Senator III.
man since the inception of his illness
Messages Oh sympathy continue to pour
in upon the family, ana since the serious
Ness o. the senator's condition became
genera ly known his apartment. s. have
been besieged by inquiries, delivered in
person, by telegram and py telephone.
Writes His Name.
Senator Tillman surprised his physicians
last night, when they held a consultation
over his condition, with a demonstration
as most encouraging.
To test the CONSCIOUSNESS Of the senator
DIR. Babcock placed a lead pencil In the
patients left hand, and asked:
Senator, can you write your name?"
Dr. Pickford held a sheet of paper at
Senator Tillmans left side, and the
stricken man responded to the question
Immediately. slowly transcribing Ben R.
Tillman" on the paper. The signature
was legible, and sSenator Tillman smiled
as the doctors faces beamed with en-
couragement
The ability of the senator to compre-
bend and to respond to queries gave the
doctors much hope, for this will be of
great value to them in the treatment of
his affiiction.
DR.. Babcock. after the consultation
stated that the senator was resting as
comfortably as could be expected and
that there would be no further consulta-
ton until this morning. unless there were
unexp ected developments in the patients
-condition.