The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
Condition Still Grave and
Crisis a Matter of Days,
Possibly Weeks.
YIELDS TO REST CURE
Specialists Again Consult
and Eye Expert Also
Visits the Patient. ~
LANSING TAKES THE HELM
Secretary of State Will Decide
international Questions Till
Mr.. Wilson Improves.
LANSING TAKES THE HELM
Special Despatch to THE sun.

DpcCIut DcSputCH ~ AhH ooNs
WASHINGTON, Oct. A. President
Wilson was a little better to-day, but
Is still gravely i'll. 1t will be days, IL
not weeks, before the crisis will have
passed even in favorable circum-
stances, according to the best avail
able information. But meantime the
manner In which the President re-
spends to the prescribed treatment
of absolute rest Is the important
factor, and to-day's developments
we're on the whole encouraging.
The President had a good nights
rest and woke up refreshed and able
to take nourshment. His mind Is
said to have been more at ease over
his enforced abandonment of all Of
fetal duties and DIR. Grayson found
him cheerful at intervals. The Presi-
dent slept most of the day and his
nervous condition seemed somewhat
improved.
DR.. Grayson, who has been at the
Presidents side almost all the time
since his illness became alarming,
took a two hour drive with Mrs.
Grayson this afternoon. This was
interpreted as rather hopeful sign.
The atmosphere about the White
House was generally more optimistic,
although there is no intimation that
the battle to save the Presidents
health is yet won by any means.
Eye Specialist Called.
When the President awoke this
morning DR.. Grayson found his tenn
perature and pulse normal. DIR. Fran
els Y. Dercum, the world famous
neurologist, had arrived from Phila-
| delphia and went into consultation
with DR.. Grayson, Rear Admiral e.
R. Stitt of the Naval Hospital and
DR.. Sterling Ruffin, Mrs. Wilson'S
| personal physician. DIR. George do
| Schweinitz, an oculist of Philadelphia
who has treated the President in the
past, was also called into consulta-
tion. The eyes, it is explained, fire.
Quently are connected with nervous
troubles, and it was thought perhaps
that the severe headaches from which
the President suffered before he be-
came seriously i'll might have been
due to his eyes.
The examination by DR.. de
Schwelnitz, however, showed no con-
nectlon between the condition of the
Presidents eyes and his nervous all
ment. The Presidents eyes wers
said to be about in the same condi-
tion as when examined by DR.. de
Schwelnitz some months ago.
1t is understood now that DIR. Der
cum will make frequent trips from
Philadelphia and that he is being
kept in close touch with every detail
of the case. At present the chief fear
Is that the Presidents condition may
at any moment take a turn for the
worse and that complete nervous
breakdown may follow. There ara
signs that lead to the hope that DR..
/ Grayson will be able TO arrest the
progress of the nervous ailment, and
with the aid of the specialists begin
the building up process so vitality Inn
portant now.
Touch OF Facial Paralysis.
There have been some alarming in.
dications Of threatened collapse.
These have served as warnings and
have caused much Of the anxiety. 1t
ia understood, for example, that the
President has had a touch of facial
paralysis and other symptoms which
are always the warnings of serious
trouble, though prompt treatment may
ward off the danger in time.
Arrangements have been made TO
carry on the business of the Govern
ment, both in international and ma
tional affairs, during the Presidents
illness. Mr.. Lansing will act in the
Presidents place in deciding all ques-
tions Of international policy, and none
of the issues abroad will be delayed
unduly. The decision OF Mr. Lansing
will be final, although he may OF
course consult Under Secretary Polk
or Col. House before taking action.
In view OF the fact that several Inn
portant measures which have passed
both houses of Congress may come be-
fore the President for signature in the
coming week consideration was given
to their status to-day 1t is admitted
that the bills automatically would be-
come laws ten days after receipt by
the President, hut 1t also was said that
DR.. GraJson might permit Mr.. Wilson
to sign the measures. Among the bills