The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-09
MRS. HARDING
SHOWS SLIGHT
IMPROVEMENT
Grave Concern, However. Is
Felt for Presidents Wife
DR.. Charles Mayo on Way
to White House.
VISITORS ARE BARRED
fBv Associated Pressl

bedside, although it was stated Of
hctally that the complications noted
yesterday were less threatening"
A rise IA the patients temperature
was recorded during the forenoon, but
this was not unexpected on the part
of the physicians, who did not view 1t
as necessarily dangerous symptom.
Brigadier General c. E. Sawyer in
formed newspaper men at noon that
statements issued from the White
House this morning would be the last
until about o'clock tonight, unless
there was a radical change. -
(By United Press)
WASHINGTON, Sept 9.-Mrs. Har-
ding passed a fairly good night and
her condition is as favorable as can
be expected at this time. an official
bulletin from the White House stated
today The official statement said:
Nine a. m. Mrs. Harding had
fairly god night,
THE complications of yesterday are
less prevalent this morning.
"On the whole her condition Is fav.
orable as can be expected at this time.
(Signed) Sawyer"
This announcement was accompan-
led by an order closing the White
House and grounds to visitors and by
the cancellation of President Hard
ing's engagements for the day.
Nature of Malady
Hydro-nephrosis, the malady from
which Mrs. Harding is suffering, is an
affection OF the kidneys. In the pres
ent instance 1t is complicated by A
severe cold.
Opiates were administered to the
patient during the night to relieve her
pain, Chairman Lasker of the ship
ping board, said today. Lasker said
the doctors expected the crisis within
"a hours and were exerting every
effort to prevent poisonous secrctions
from accumulating If these efforts
are successful, Lasker said, the physi-
clans hope that Mrs. Harding strong
will power will see her though
Secretary of War Weeks, who called
at the White House today, said Mrs.
Harding seemed better this morning
than yesterday.
Seems Stronger.
Mrs. Hardings temperature is
somewhat lower today and she seems
stronger" said Weeks.
In attendance with DR.. Sawyer were
his son, Dr. Carl w. Sawyer, DR.. Joel
T. Boone. medical adviser of the preSi-
Dental yacht, Mayflower, and DR..
John Fancy, of Baltimore, VIII was
hastily called in last night. Mayo is
due in Washington early Sunday.
President Harding was up at day
break, having been sent to bed by
DR.. Sawyer at 8 a. N. m
The news that Mrs. Harding's life
was actually in danger startled Wash
ington last night even though an earl
Ter announcement from the White
House had stated that her condition
was causing much concern.
Issues Statement.
Following the arrival from Balti
more of Dr. Finney, shortly after the
following official statement was is
sued.
Mrs. Harding whose illness is re
currence of attack experienced before
coming to the White House developed
complications Thursday and Friday
night which make her condition crit
ical.
These complications are so seriou:
that recovery is not yet assured.
"Dr. John Finney of Baltimore wa:
called in consultation today and DR.
Charles Mayo is en- route from Roches
ter, MINI. DR.. Carl w. Sawyer anC
DR. Joel T. Boone have joined in at
tendance on Mrs. Harding today"
(Signed) &C. E. Sawyer. NJ. D."
Seemed Better Friday.
Early Friday morning the White
House apparently not seriously alarm
ed said Mrs. Harding appeared to bt
recovering" from an illness whicl
forced her to take to her bed, follow
ing a short cruise with the presiden
on the Mayflower At that time Mrs
Harding was slightly i'll and contract
ed a cold This brought on a recur
renee of the hydro-nephrosis whicl
first attacked Mrs. Harding in 1918.
At that time she underwent a sur
gical operation. Another attack il
1916 seemed likely for a time to prov,
fatal For four days Mrs. Harding
life was despaired of, but her fighting
spirit carried her through then ant
that is what her friends are counting
on the present crisis to bring her safe
ly past the danger point. Mrs. Hard
ing now carries, however, the handicap
of six additional years. She is NOR
than 90 years old
Shows Anxiety
All during Friday President Hardin
though plainly showing in his increa:
ed gravity and by his worried lool
the deep anxiety Mrs. Harding's il
ness caused him, forced himself 20 a.
tend to his Official duties. He cut tn
cabinet meeting to a scant went
minutes however, and when he lppeal
ed at his semi-weekly conference wit
newspaper men late in the Afternoon
was pale and drawn. The presiden
himself. ministered to his wife's want
as much as the doctors and nurse
would let him and last night refused {
90 to bed until DR.. Sawyer finally OF
dered him for the sake of his ow
health to seek some rest
The arrival of DR.. Finney from Ba
timore, caused a furry Of excitemen
among the watchers at the Whit
House Finney rushed from his tax
cab into the executive mansion, brush
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