The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-21
Critics Bring Change.

Fuullc opinion a 10 some extent
brought about a change, and yielding
70 CRITICISM the White House has men
TONED one or two minor ailments,
though with the impression, too, that
all the small complications were not In
themselves the basic cause Of his in
disposition. The doctors still insist that
their original diagnosis is correct-that
nervous exhaustion Is the central trou.
PIE though II Is apparent hat many OF
these Irritating complications have been
held back what other wise might have
been a quicker recovery on the part OF
a patient with a case Of nerves.
From a medical viewpoint the posi-
blhties of a cerebral hemorrhage by a
patient stricken with nervous exhaus-
Ton are Of curse recognized. There
are cases in which such a disturbance is
serious and other in which 1t Ia slight
u passes off very much as a temper
airy delirium In a patient suffering from
any FEVER. II Is not always possible TO
recognize the existence OF a slight hem
orrhage and the best information that
seems obtAtnable Is that II something
like that has occurred II has been OF
such slight character as not to leave a
Definite trace, and not TO affect In the
slightest the clarity of the presidents
mind.
II ls perhaps because OF an all too in
tense eagerness on the part Of a small
49, VI VIII PlNNAhNlAA q OpHOliNlA6 W
spread an impression OF incapaclty that
details are omitted which might tend
TO confirm such an impression and still
are baslcally without Significance at all.
For example, for some time even be-
fore the president went to bed three
weeks ago, his friends have observed oc-
casionally O twitching Of one Of the
muscles of his face. II was a symp-
tom that helped TO determine the me-
cessity for an absolute cancellation Of
work, but on the other hand reports
have had II that Mr., Wilson suffered
a paralysis OF the entire face or lower
jaw. The doctors have noted since an
improvement In that symptom, In fact,
a tendency for that to clear up. but
would they be justified IN issuing a
specific denial and then be met two or
three days or weeks from now with n
recurrence OF the trouble in more in
tense form?
Ordinarily 4 physician Is not required
TO disclose all his fears and hopes and
when the situation Is complicated by
the fact that certain courses Of treat.
ment are being prescribed by special
lists and experts, each one of whom has
his own ideas Of what the future con-
ditlon OF the patient Is going to be, II
can well be imagined what a different
task 1t ls to Issue q comprehensive bull
letin stating everything about the case
that the physicians themselves know.
SO the reports given out at the White
House and signed by the attending doc
tors comprise general statements with
an occasion inclusion OF a symptom II
II seems acute.
All this simply means that the presi-
dent Is still very sick, that his ply
sicians-some Of the best specialists In
the countryside adopting every re-
source known to medical science to
bring the president back to normal,
but that their most vital need Is time,
going to keep Mr.. Wilson from attend
Ing TO public business Just as long as
they can, even " II takes several weeks,
Just now they say his mind Is clear
enough 10 transact public business,
There are no doubts on that score on
the part of any Of the men In his ac-
qualntanee who are In y position to
know, But II he tackled business too
early or too much Of II, he might SUIT
fer a relapse and the physicians feel
their PROFESSIONAL regulations would suf-
fer and the president, Sd they are hold.
ing Mr.. Wilson apart from work as long
too impatient and practically compels
Mn. Wilson to demosntrate that he is
In possession OF all his faculties, II the
congress should attempt to raise the
question of Inability" under the con-
stitutlon, Mr.. Wilson would nc doubt
he permitted by his physicians 20 see
"A few callers and transact some vital
and pressing matters of business, The
length Of time the president Is detached
from public business depends therefore
Very largely on the patience OF the
American people themselves,
Copyright, 1919, by David L~awrence.)