New-York tribune., 1921-02-17
'Tenor's Mental Attitude
and Presence of His
Wife and Baby at Bed
side Aid Him in Fight
Says "I've Made
Peace With God"
Hotel Besieged All Day
by Visitors and Phone
Calls Come by Hundreds

The condition of Enrico Caruso,
who suffered relapse on Tuesday,
showed much Improvement last
night.
Although the crisis brought on by
his heart attack was by no means
considered over by his physicians,
Caruso rallied considerably, re-
gained full consciousness and fell
into restful slumber after his eight
een-months-old daughter Gloria had
smiled her goodnight. Several times
during the day and evening, when
the tenor's life hung in the balance
and was kept within him mainly by
the force of his unbounded optimism
and good hunor, little Gloria was
brought into the sickroom at the
Vanderbilt by Mrs. Caruso.
Each time the stricken man
frightened visibIy and smiled.
At 1880 a. m. Bruno Zerato, Mr..
Caruso's secretary, sent the following
note to newspaper men:
This is the last news I can give
you. Mr.. Caruso's condition Is un-
changed. He is fighting bravely and
holding his own. Drs. Stella and
Murray are at his bedside. So is
Mrs. Caruso. We expect his boy
from Culver, Ind, to-day at $3.50
a. m. Nobody ever sees Mr.. Caruso
but his physicians, nurses and his
two Wallets and poor me. Thank you,
and pray hard for him"
Crisis at Noon To-day
The great tenor is still fightine. and
his physicians say if he pulls through
until noon to-day the curtain will NOT
come down upon the career of one of
the greatest and best beloved singers in
the history of opera.
The last bulletin issued by the phv-
slelans attending Caruso was:
"Caruso has passed critical day.
His condition is unchanged. The seri-
Gus collapse of last night has not been
repeated"
1t was signed by DR.. John F. Erd-
mann. Dr.. Samuel W. Lambert, Dr..
Evan M. Evans, Dr. Antonio Stella and
DR.. Francis U. Murray.
The following bulletin was issued by
DR. Antonio Stella at 10 O'Clock last
night:
"Caruso's condition is very much
more favorable tonight than this
morning. His pulse is better. His
temperature is two degrees lower
than this morning. We have great
hope for his recovery, although Ls
is still very sick man. Part of his
improvement is due to his strong
constitution, his mental attitude and
the fact that his wife has been con-
stantiy at his bedside since last
night
"He has been in and out of coma
all day long. Suppuration has weak
ened him and has affected his heart.
relapse like this is to be expected
in 40 per cent Of pleurisy cases.
oxygen was administered as
therapeutic to ease inflammation Of
the lungs. What words he has spoken
show great determination to live"
An hour before he issued the bulletin
Or. Stella, in conversation with news
paper men, said that great hopes ara
entertained for Caruso's recovery, al
though the critical period has bv, ne
means passed.
Scotti Holds to Hope
Shortly before the cheering news
conveyed in DR.. Stella's statement and
bulletin appeared Antonio Scotti, the
famous barytone of the METROPOLITAN
and Caruso's best friend came down
into the lobby of the Vanderbilt from
Cne Caruso apartments, smiling. Sienor
Scottl mas kept his vigil over his
stricken friend since o'clock vestar.
Day morning, and when he left at 9 30
o'clock he said: "
1t looked very bad last night To
night he is very much better. If bs
lives through the night we all fasf
sure he will be all right. There is
a. much difference in his appearance
tonight and yesterday as between dsv
e: END night. We all feel very much re-
Telephone calls received at the Van
CCefnlIt Yesterday inquiring about, M
Caruso's condition came in at The ~:
OF ten every minute. Two ertr. a,'
them Ta"oiS
me number of persons calling az
the Caruso apartments was reduced "a
few personal friends. however. nnon
orders OF his physicians. The onlv
Snes frequently at the sick bed. in ad-
dltion to the physicians and nurses
were MRS. Caruso and Gloria. Mrs
caruso kept up her vigil until late
Induced
to take short rest
A friend of the noted singer. WIN
left the apartments at O'Clock last
night, said that Caruso had shovyn
n uch Improvement during the day and
that there was hope his life would he
saved # no other complications de-
yeiop. A similar report was given bv
= former conductor of the Metropolitar
Opera House, who requested that his
name be not used.
Among the callers late yesterday
afternoon at the Csruso apartments
were Father Mollineili, who admin
1stered the last rites to caruso early
yesterday morning, and Father Melli.
from Paterson.
At Peace With God, He Says
10 Father Moliinelli Caruso wsx
quoted to have said:
Il have made my peace with INV Cad
and feel there is no need of vour
calling again" 'HA
The following bulletin on Nr ca.
rnso's condition was given out At the
Metropolitan Opera House earlier n
sB