New-York tribune., 1920-12-22
One Lung Gone,
But Big Six
Needs Only One
Saranac Lake Doctor Points
Out Many Similar Bat
ties Patients Have Won

SYRACUSE. n. Y. Dec. 21.-"Both
Christy &nd myself have high hopes
FOR his ultimate recovery"
That is the answer issued to-day by
Dr. E. n. Packard, personal physician
to Christy Mathewson at Saranac Lake,
TO the recently circulated reports that
the famous moundsman of other days
was in state Of dependency, and
his recovery from the ravages of the
great white plague goal never to be
attained.
DR.. Packard is II Immediate charge
Of the fight whcih Big Six" is waging
in the heart Of the Adirondacks. The
physician is a former pupil Of Ten
Eyck at Syracuse University and rowed
in Orange shells from 1908 to 1896.
One Lung Enough
Or. Packard admits that one lung Of
the famous twirler has collapsed. He
insists, however, that this has been a
blessing rather than otherwise. 1t
gave Mathewson needed relief. And
medical history traces many cases
where persons with but ono lung have
survived and found health
The doctors statement follows:
Both Mr. Mathewson and myself
have nigh hopes of his ultimate re-
covery. wish TO brand as entirely
false and entirely unauthorized the
reports circulated to the effect that
my patient has become victim Of
melancholla and that he no longer
has the old fight in him
Il am at loss to understand the
rumors that the baseball star is dy-
ing ursess they are based upon the
fact that his condition at one time
was not entirely encouraging. But
am his private physician and GER
tainly never have issued any such
statement or dropped al,* words that
would leave that impression
This is the first time have CON
sruted to speak npon Mr Mathew
sons condition. am sorry that
cannot make public n complete dag
nosis, but medical professional
ethics stand in the way.
''I want the countless friends Of
Mr. Mathewson to believe me when
say that there is no other person
who would rejoice any more than |
to say that Big Six had attained COM
pete recovery.
Reports which have so far found
their way to the press were made
AuI bNc I4Oct jdi Oh UiC4c QcSSSSs
am glad Of this opportunity to tell
the truth. The best way | can sun
up Mathewson's condition is by say
ing Jest this he is doing as we'll as
can be expected under the circum-
stances He hopes for his ultimate
recovery. share the hope"
Still Confined to Bed
Mathewson does not leave his bed
hut is bolstered up to eat his meals.
Besides having his son read to him.
hi s-hel diversion is reading the
he of newspapers. These he
sea-. not reading the body of the
stories. and does not make much COM
rent en- what is transpiring
He has nothing to say about the re-
organization OF baseball and his wife
alio,s him to see no news that might
cause him worry She censors the
newspapers before he is allowed to see
them
Matty, one Of the greatest friend
makers that ever strode q diamond,
the .ne player who was said to have
no enemies among the payers, shows
q great desire 10 receive callers. But
protests Of his wife and the objections
and advice Of Doctor Packard over
rule his desires.
lie observes strict cure regulations
end is doing ali that is asked OF him
<lat will aid IN regaining MS strength.