New-York tribune., 1919-10-03
Wilson's Illness Dates
From Influenza attack
DIR. Crnyson Says Presidents
Trouble Is Due to OueyuOrk;
COLLAPSED on Speaking Tour

President Wilson was stricken i'll
Thursday night, September 1876. while
en- route Oh his special train from
Pueblo, Col, to Wichita, Kan. After
having delivered forty speeches Of the
fifty scheduled on his swing around
the circle on behalf Of the peace treaty,
the President collapsed from nervous
and physical exhaustion and his tour
was ended. DR.. Cary T. Grayson, Mr.
Wilson's physician, ordered the Pres-
dent to repair at once to Washington
for q rest.
In his first bulletin DR.. Grayson an
nounccd the Presidents condition was
due to overwork.
"Tho trouble" said the statement,
dates back to an attack of influenza
last April in Paris, from which he has
never entirely recovered The Pres-
dent is suffering from nervous eXhaus-
ton. His condition is not alarming"
The Presidential special was quickly
rerouted via Kansas City to Washing
ton, and all speed consistent with
safety was made in getting Mr.. Wilson
back to the capital. Members of the
Presidents encourage had noticed in
his Pueblo speech unusual nervousness,
weariness and general disability, and
the breakdown was not, therefore,
wholly unforeseen. Ever since the ac-
cidental killing in Portland of Benja-
min Allen, one Of the correspondlents in
the Wilson party, which visibly af-
fected Mr.. Wilson, the President had
seemed to be working under a strain
Irritated by Train Ride
During the through trip from
Wichita to Washington the President
did not sleep we'll. Dr. Grayson and
N,c ,;+b \
the time DR.. Grayson said the Presi-
dent had spent fairly restful night,
though his condition showed not much
change. The dust of travelling and
the buffcting OF the Presidential car,
last in the long train, when going at
high speed, had combined to irritate
Mr.. Wilson and prevent sleep in some
measure. Mr.. Grayson said the Presi-
dent was still suffering from head
had obtained a little refreshing sleep
and had retained some nourishing
food
The Presidents train arrived in
Washington at II o'clock last Sunday
morning, after another restless night.
Haggard and worf, Mr.. Wilson walked
from his car to a waiting automobile
and was driven to he Whie House. At
o'clock in the afternoon the Pros
/ lOcnt ana Mrs. wilson went 1Or 4
drive Of several miles along the Poto
mac River speedway, returning before
dark to spend the evening resting.
GA fairly comfortable day" DR.,
Grayson termed Sunday, although upon
reaching Washington in the morning
he said the President had had "a poor
nights rest" He was said to be do
ing as we'll as could be expected in the
circumstances"
Nerve Specialist Decided Upon
First intimation that nerve special
lists would be called in to consider the
Presidents case was given Sunday
night. This was interpreted as in
dicative that the Presidents illness had
been causing uneaslness to DR.. Gray
son.
Monday night Mr. Wilson was re-
ported "slightly better He had slept
until nearly noon, after d troubled
night, and had taken an hours auto
mobile ride in the afternoon White
House officials urged that as the Presi-
dent was nearly siXty-thrce years of
age, danger of complications was not
inconsderabe, and the real state Of
his health might not be known for
some days.
Tuesday some progress toward re-
covery was marked, but by Wednesday
DR.. Grayso- announced that the Presi-
dent was feeling somewhat jaded"
after a slcepless night and improve
ment was not so noticeable. A bulletin
Wednesday night however, said there
had been no important change in the
patients condition.