New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
First Steps Since Illness
Taken by President ON
Thursday After He Had
Arisen and Dressed Self
DIR. Dercum Pleased
By Rapid Progress
Statement by DIR. Crayson
Considered an Answer
to Paralysis Rumors
NeU York Tribune
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Pres dent
Wilson is able to walk and has been
walking about his chamber and through
the other rooms of the second floor of
the White House since Thursday, DR.
Cary T. Grayson, his personal physi-
sian, said to-day.
The President dressed Thursday and
stood up and with the aid of cane
took a few steps, DR.. Grayson an
nounced. Yesterday Mr. Wilson again
dressed and, aided by a heavy walking
stick, walked around the sick room.
To-day when DR.. F. X. Dercum, a
Philadelphia specialist, made his weekly
visit to the White House, he was sur
dressed and able to walk.
After DR.. Dercum had examined the
President and spent a short time in
conversation with the patient he was
said to have expressed great satisfac-
ton with the progress the President
has made.
DIR Dercum said the President has
made greater progress than at any time
since he has been visiting the patient:
and he was especially pleased at his
walking" DR.. Grayson told newspaper
men.
Careful Not To Tax Strength
The resumption Of walking by the
President was said to be gradual
process. After it was determined that
the patient had sufficient strength to
dress himself on Thursday and to sit
erect, the first attempt at walking was
made. Several trips about the sick
room were made, it was said, but at
intervals SO that the strength of the
patient would not be too greatly taxed
Today however, the President
seemed to have complete command OF
bis legs, though they were still un-
steady, and he was unable to remain ur
any great length of time. When the
President was in the open air. he was
in his wheel chair fully dressed.
DR.. Grayson's announcement that the
President was able to walk gave rise
to considerable speculation at the
White House on when the patient
would take his first automobile trip
The physician could not be drawn into
any promise on the future activities OF
his patient, but it was evident that he
entertained high hopes now for the
speedy and complee recovery of the
President.
Answers Paralysis Rumors
White House attaches declared that
the Presidents walking provides ar
answer to all the rumors that he was
paralzed and confidence was expressed
that Mr.. Wilson would soon be able tc
assume his duties.
The President was taken i'll in Sep.
tember while on his swing around the
circle in behalf of the peace treaty
He was compelled to cut short his
schedule of speeches at Wichita, Kan
and was returned Immediately to Wash
ington, arriving here on Sunday, Sep
tember 2S. He took a motor ride or
Sunday afternoon, but on Monday he
was confined to his room and on Tues
day he was too i'll to leave his bed
At the outset the Presidents illness
was said to be nervous exhaustion.'
Late in the first week of his illness
DR.. f. x. Dercum, the celebrated neu-
rologst of Philadelphia, was sum.
moned to the White House for con-
sultation with Drs. Sterling Rufhn
+. 7. Stitt and Grayson who were daily
in attendance upon the patient.
Presidents Improvement Steady
within week, during the early part o1
the Presidents illness, DR.. Dercum an.
nounced that it was unnecessary fol
him to personally see the patient
oftener than once a week, and he has
since been coming to the White House
on Saturdays.
During the second week of the Presi
dents illness glandular trouble de-
veloped, and DR.. Hugh II. Young, spe
cialist, of Baltimore, was called in
The swelling of the gland was reduced
with treatment. Within the last month
the Presidents Improvement has made
it unnecessary for Drs Stitt and Ruffir
to serve longer as consultants with DR.
Grayson, who has been seeing the pa
tient daily alone.