The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-14
WILSON'S CONDITION.
NOT ALARMING, SAYS.
DR.. CARY GRAYSON
President Continues iii With
Cold, But Not Seriously
Affected-Spends Most
of Day Sitting Up

Washington, December 13.-President
Wilson today continued to nurse an acute
cold which has kept him in his room since
last Tuesday Most of the time he has
remained in bed on the advice of his
physician, chiefly as measure of pre-
caution to insure complete rest and rapid
recovery.
White House officials expect the Presi-
next week 1t had been his wish to at
tend the dinner of the Gridiron club to-
night, and he himself thought he was well
enough to go, but DR.. Cary r. Grayson,
United States navy, his physician, would
not permit it, feeling that it was safer
not to risk exposure just yet.
Notwithstanding very positive assur-
anees from the White House. reports
gained circulation that the President S
condition was alarming to his official
family
In order to dispose of these reports the
following official statement was given out
at the White House,:
Reports Groundless
Secretary Tumulty stated at the
White House that reports of the Presi-
dents condition being alarming, were abb
solutely groundless. His condition was
described as entirely normal and satisfac-
tory, except for cold, which has caused
him some discomfort, which has at no
time threatened complications seriously.
''As a matter of precaution. DIR. Gray
son, the attending physician. advised
that the President suspend his usual OFF,
cial activities, including the receiving of
visitors, in order to thwart the cold and
give him an opportunity for rest and re-
cuperation.
"The expectation is that the President
will resume his official duties early next
week"
There is nothing in the Presidents con-
dition to cause the slightest trepidation.
The President has not been entirely well
since he attended the army-navy foot
ball game in New York. Sitting in The
open stands on raw day. he developed
a cold in the head which, however, after
few days confinement to his room,
yielded to treatment. Last Monday he
felt we'll enough to wish to take a walk
in the bracing~ air. His physician sug-
gested warm clothing and the President
scorned an overcoat, but put on a heavy
wooden sweater vest. In the cold wind
that was blowing that day, it is believed
the President caught additional cold, and
when he attended the meeting of the Red
Cross on Tuesday. his voice was weak
from it's effects. His physician then or
dered him to bed with the determination
to keep the President there until he had
absolutely recovered.
To Take Vacation
IL has been the intention of the Presi
dent to take a vacation during the hoIi-
days recess of Congress This was Off
cially announced recently. together with
the statement that the New Years recep-
tion would not take place, owing to the
Presidents absence.
In view of the uncertainty of a recess
of Congress. in connection with the prog
ress of the currency bill. friends of the
President have been urging him to go to
southern climate, regardless of Con-
gress suspending it's activities during the
holidays 1t has not been definitely deter
mined when or where the President will
go. but 1t is stated that his proposed trip
is the result of pre-arranged plans. and
in no way connected with his present in
disposition, although this has empha sized
the need of a good rest after the strain
of eight months of almost unbroken Off
cial activity.
The prevalence of varying reports dur
ing the day concerning the President s
condition led to some uneasiness at the
capital until reassuring advices were
given direct from the White House
Copies of official dispatches of inpor-
tance were shown the President during
the day. His temperature was normal.
and he sat UP reading much of the time
He transacted no business, but dictated q
,htter. expressing to the members of the
Ns~idiron club his regret at being IDLE
cJsattend the dinner.
"I'll miss you more than you will miss
me-" wrote the President.