The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-08
COL. ROOSEVELT'S
CONDITION SERIOUS
BUT NOT CRITICAL
Following Operation on Ear
inflammation Extends to
Inner Cavity and Con-
sultatiOn Called

New York. February 7.-Col. Theodore
Roosevelt was resting easy tonight in
Roosevelt hospital. where he was oper-
ated on yesterday for fistula and alb
.scesses in both OF his ears.
The physicians in attendance upon the
former President, in a bulletin issued at
3 o'clock this evening, said they were
very hopeful about his progress, but are
unable to say positively until tomorrow
whether further operations will be neces-
sary."
The bulletin follows.
DIR. Martin and DR.. Bull consulted
over Colonel Roosevelt at 8 o'clock. They
found that the active symptoms from
the acute inflammation of his internal
ear were subsiding without any untoward
developments. They feel very hopeful
about his progress, but are unable to
say positively until tomorrow whether
further operations will be necessary
sudden development of inflammation
in the inner left ear was responsible for
the hurried calling of a consultation
OF specialists during the day. This re-
suited in the issuing of a statement
which, in effect. characterized the col
onePs condition as serious, but not crit
ieal." No formal statement was issued
by the physicians, but the following note
was made public by Colonel Roosevelt s
private secretary:
Colonel Roosevelt had an abscess in
both ears, which were operated on YES
terday afternoon. The colonel passed
a comfortable night but this morning
inflammation had developed from mis-
left ear into his internal ear This aft
ernoon 1t was found advisable to cali
in Dr. Gorham Bacon and Dr.. Fred
whiting, eye and ear specialists who
went into consultation with DR.. Duel an
eye and ear specialist, who performed
the operation yesterday, and also Or.
Walton Martin, the surgeon attending
Colonel Roosevelt In their opinion. no
further operations were indicated al
present. While his condition is serious.
nothing more is to be done than careful
observation for the present."
After having undergone a minor op
Grafton for fistula at his home in OYSTER
Fay ABOUT week ago, Colonel Roose-
velt came to New York that he might be
In close touch with his physician. Tues
day night at the hotel he was seized
with secondary hemorrhage and
wednesday on the advice of DR. Walter
martin underwent another operation for
fstula. Shortly afterwards a specialist
also removed an abscess from each of
his ears. Altogether the operations last
ed a few minutes less than two hours
and Wednesday night was passed BY the
FORMER President in comparative ease.
Today however,, attending physicians
discovered the development of nflamma-
ton In the inner ear, but said that for
the present nothing would be done ex-
cept the maintenance of a careful oh
servation of the patient. In a suite near
the colonel's room are Mrs. Roosevelt.
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth and Mrs. Rich
ard Derby All the members of the col
oners family are optimistic as to his
ultimate recovery,
During khe day there were &eores Of
callers at Roosevelt hospital, among them
George w. Perkins, Oscar 8. Straus and
John Purroy Mitchell. former mayor
of New York. None of them was per-
mitted to see the colonel, Mrs. Long
worth doing the talking for the family
In addition scores of kilograms and
notes of inquiries from friends through
out the country were received at the
hospital during the day. Flowers and
baskets of fruit also were delivered there
for Colonel Roosevelt