New-York tribune., 1921-02-18
Declares Physician Be-
lieves Singers Chances
to Pull Through Now
Are Better Than Ever
Arrival of Son
Cheers Patient
He Must Not Die Say
Thousands of Messages
Received From Friends

The most hopeful message which has
come from the sickroom of Enrico
Caruso since the tenor began his hand
to hand fight with death on Tuesday
night, was sent to newspaper reporters
at the Hotel Biltmore at a. m. this
morning by his secretary, Bruno Zerato
His note follows:
Dear Boys: Here am again, and
this time with a smile. Mr.. Caruso is
resting comfortably. He had some
liquid refreshment and enjoyed it very
much each time the nurse gave it to
him. DR.. Stella was at this time at his
bedside, and is satisfied with his general
condition and assures me that Mr..
Caruso's chances to- pull through are
greater than ever.
He must not die!' is the message
l receive through thousands of tele-
grams, telephone calls and letters.
Everybody in the whole world is pray
ing for my masters recovery. 1t is
wonderful thing to have SO many
friends and l thank every one of them
with all my heart.
Good night boys and God bless you
for your cooperation in informing the
whole world of the condition of one of
the most beloved human beings.
"ZERATO"
Definitely Improved
1t was day of visible and definite i'm
provement in the noted tenor's condition.
Although the bulletins issued by the
attending physicians were still worded
in cautious and conservative terms, it
was stated definitely that Caruso's
temperature was lower, his pulse better
and his mind decidedly clearer. No
oxygen was administered, although
tank was kept constantly at his bedside
for use in emergency. Caruso had no
sinking spells and fell into restful
sleep several times in the course of
the day
The following bulletin was issued
after a consultation by Mr. Caruso's
physicians at 1858 o'clock last night:
Mr.. Caruso is holding his own. He
has had q better day. His fever and
Inflammation continue, but show d les
sened virulence."
The bulletin was signed by DR.. Sam
uel Lambert, DR.. Antonio Stella, DR..
Francis Murray and DR.. Evan NJ. Evans.
Another consultation will be held at
II o'clock this morning.
His virlity, stamina and determina-
tion, together with the cheering effect
produced by visitors. among them Ital-
ian Ambas sador Ricci and Giulio Gatti-
Casazza, impresario of the Metropoli-
tan Opera House. we're the forces that
aided Caruso greatly in his battle for
life.
The arrival of his son, Enrico jr.,
from the Culver Military Academy,
Culver, Ind, also buoyed him consid-
erably AS the boy came close to his
stricken father Caruso opened his
eyes, seized the youngsters hand and
whispered, family, mimi, Mimi Milo
figlio!" Mimi is Caruso's pet name
for his son.
Optimism Fails Only Once
Only once during the day did Caruso
lose control of his optimism ard good
humor. That was when Calvin G. Child,
general director of the Victor Talking
Machine Company, entered his room.
Mr.. Child is q close friend of Mr.. Ca
luso of eighteen years standing. AS
Mr.. Child entered Caruso broke down
and cried Tell me how long this i'll
ness is going to last?" he pleaded. Mr..
Child reassured him and the singer re-
gained his composure. On leaving the
sickroom Mr.. Child said: "Mr. Caruso
is gaining ground" and added that he
felt the chances of the tenor's recovery
were much enhanced.
A touching scene was enacted in the
sickroom, on the eighteenth floor of
the Hotel Vanderbilt, when Ambassa-
Ger Rcci entered The ambassador did
not intend to visit the sckroom, but
Caruso asked that he be brought in
on learning of his arrival. He was
visiby pleased as the ambassador en-
tered. Removing his calnation from
MS buttonhole, the ambassador ap-
Continued on next pags)