Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-06
MRS. W|LSONVERY
ILL, BUT IMPROVING
DR.. Grayson Issues Official
Statement With Approval
of the President.
SUFFERED BREAKDOWN
FROM OVEREXERTIOM
Chief Cause of Critical Condition Is
Chronic Kidney Trouble. White
House Physician Says.

d1llCu llluGl SlllliuldtloIl. DIG
was conscious, but growing
weaker.
The first official statement as to the Sc
rious illness of Mrs. Wilson, wife of
President Wilson. was made this morning
by DIR. Cary Grayson. after consultation
with the President and members of the
family. The statement will be the first
of a series of bulletins that will appear
night and morning, in itself an indi-
cation that the outcome of the illness is
not regarded favorably. 1t follows:
THE chief cause of Mrs. Wilson's
present critical condition is a chronic
kidney trouble. This has developed as
one Of the results of a nervous break
down. brought on by overwork. In her
ambition to perform her full duty in
Washington Mrs. Wilson added to her
social obligations a very great activity in
philanthropic work connected with the re-
demption of the SlumS of Washington
city and in various other enterprises
connected with the betterment of the con-
diton of life here. At the same time. she
was very active in attempting to bring
about constructive action in the matter
of education in the southern mountain
districts.
THE first sign that she was doing too
much appeared last February and since
then she has suffered great deal, cul-
in the chronic kidney trouble
While her condition is alarming, it shows
today a slight improvement over yester-
day and the first part of last evening.
She is very weak, but conscious and brave
and cheerful
Suffers From General Breakdown.
oh n,. {v,f0
details concerning the complications in
volved in Mrs. Wilson's illness, it is
known that she is suffering from gen.
eral breakdown. grave feature being her
inability to retain food. resulting in
greater weakness each day. This, to-
eether with the drain from Bright's dis
ease. and shattered nervous system
leave only the faintest hope that she will
recover. Her brother. Prof. Axson of
Princeton. and her-relatives have been
or will be summoned, as the end may
come at any time, although the brave suf-
ferer may hold out for some time longer
The best medical talent Of the country
has been giving its consideration to the
case for some months. the true state of
within the family and medical circles.
DIR. Grayson today consulted several of
those who have been assisting him for
some time. DR.. Grayson has been stay
lllB hight anu udy iii luc w ille I1ouoC
for several weeks. and last night slept
near Mrs. Wilson's room to be at her call
in moment He was immeasurably de-
lighted this morning to find her brighter
and more cheerful than for several days.
The sweet, tender affection between the
President and his wife was beautifully IL
lustrated when the President walked into
the sick chamber this morning. Mrs. VIII
son greeted him with a wan but tender
smile that brought tears to the eyes Of
and lifted great load
from the heart of the man who has been
carrying this personal burden along with
questions of state that have
arisen within short time.
Closes White House.
Knowing the gravity of his wife's
condition, however, and desiring to be
by her side most of the day, the Presi-
dent did not go to his Office, and can
celed two engagements he had there.
The White House. which has remained
open to visitors all summer, was closed
and will remain closed pending the out
come of Mrs Wilson's illness.
That the country shares with the
President and his family the sorrow
caused by the turn for the worse in
Mrs Wilson's condition was manifested
by stream of kilograms that began
to reach the White House today. one
of the first coming from Col. Roose-
Welt Messages from all parts of the
city We're received early. Vice Presi-
dent Marshall rode to the White House
in his automobile at . o'clock and made
personal inquiries, sending in to the
President letter of consolation. Mem
bers of the cabinet FASTENED to the
executive offices to inquire from Sec
retary Tumulty and to tender their
assistance If anything could be done.
Washington citizens and strangers on
the streets constantly inquired as to
the latest news from the White House.
and reports of the death of Mrs. VIII
son caused a shock in all directions. 1t
was with immense relief the people
that these reports were not
true.
House Sends Sympathy.
Sympathy for President Wilson and
hope for the recovery of Mrs. Wilson
was expressed in a resolution passed
by the House Immediately after 1t con-
vened The resolution. which was pre-
sented by Representative Kinkaid of
Nebraska, and passed in silence. was
as follows:
Resolved, That the House OF Rep
of the United States ten
ders to the President in this his hour
of apprehensive sadness it's warmest
sympathy and prays that God in His
mercy may restore to health his good
wife, adviser and helpmate."
Specialists Skill Unavailing.
Efforts on the part of specialists,
called into consultation within the past
few days by DIR. Cary Grayson. U. S. N,
the White House physician. have proved
unavailing. and the sympathies of the
whole country were centered today in
the White House.
White House officials are authority
for the statement that Mrs. Wilson has
not been wholly conscious for two
days. At o'clock yesterday afternoon
she laased into Inconsistencies. and
grave fears were expressed that she
might not survive the night. 1t was
learned shortly after o'clock. how
ever, that she had recovered conscious
ness and the President, who has been
in constant attendance at her bedside,
accompanied by several members of his
family, was enabled to take a short
motor ride for the air. Later, at IL
o'clock in the evening. she was re-
ported to be resting quietly. but her
respiration had to be assisted at times
by artificial stimulants.
Four months of almost unbroken ILL
Continued on Eleventh Page.)