The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-12
Genuine Hope Of Her Recovery
Entertained Without Opera
ton at Present.
CRISIS IS NOT PASSED
Organic Functioning Checks
Toxic Poisoning-Patient
is Sleeping Better.
,pcciar Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Sept. III.
Although not out of danger, Mrs.
Harding made definite improvement
to-day, SO that tonight there was
genuine hope for her recovery.
There is to be no operation, for the
present, at least. The decision to de-
lay the operation followed unmistak-
able signs that nature is helping in
the crisis.
One of Mrs. Harding's kidneys is
functioning to some extent, thereby
preventing fatal toxic poisoning. Hot
applications. which have been en-
ployed for the last forty-eight hours,
are being continued. and opiates are
still necessary to relieve the pain.
Mrs. Harding's fever is less pro-
nounced. Her pulse and respiration are
approaching normal. Brig. Gen. Sawyer.
the Harding family physician. and the
six other doctors are continuing their
consultations and close observations to
ward off any change for the worse.
There was much encouragement in
the night bulletin. which read:
Mrs. Hardings condition at 1870
T. NJ: Temperature. 100 pulse. 80:
respiration, IS. Labor atory obscrva-
lions show increased elimination and
improvement in character of findings.
General appearances indicate inn
provement of complications. Surgi-
cal procedure further deferred await
ing localzation of infection. Pa
- ANU
during the present Illness. While
all indications show favorable prog
ress, prognosis is still guarded.
The increase i'm temperature or half
degree in comparison with the condi-
ton ten hours earlier was discounted by
the fact that in such cases a rise in
temperature usually develops at night.
The condition of pulse and respiration
was improved.
Gen. Sawyer's Opinion.
Gen. Sawyer said tonight that while
signs were more favorable than they
had been at any time since Friday
night, when the most serious aspects of
the case developed. he could by no means
take the view that the crisis had been
passed. He was greatly relieved. how
ever. by the progress that has been
made by the patient within the last
twelve hours.
Mrs. Harding was sleeping easily to-
night, WITHOUT the signs of restlesshess
and pain which had been apparent Sat
urday and Sunday. In waking hours
she was able to take nourishment, which
helped her condition considerably.
This was day OF uncertainty.
change for better or worse was expected.
The marked Improvement consequently
relieved the tension at the White House.
President Hardings anxiety. which
kept him at the bedside almost continu-
ously for the last two days. abated
somewhat. For the first time since FRI
day. he went outside the White House.
taking two hours walk In the garden
with VIII II. Hays
In addition 10 the morning and eve
ming bulletins Gen. Sawyer contributed
to the hopefulness of the situation In
talk he had with newspapermen at the
Executive office.
1--WE are much more encouraged, due
to the fact that one of the kidneys is
f,inctioning" DIR. Sawyer said. 1T
seemed for time that 1t would be nee
essary TO operate 70 relieve the condl-
ton. 1t looks now as thotmh the kid
neys would be able to do their work"
Uncertain Phase In Cnsc.
Cen. Sawyer made II plain that the
physicians were uncertain whether both
Kidneys were functionng or only one.
1t would be an easy matter TO deter
mine this we're the patient sufficiently
strong to endure an examination but
this has not been deemed advisable.
The encouraging signs were reported
early in the morning by close friends
of the Harding family who visited the
White House. but the real purport of
the improvement was revealed In the
bulletin issued at 1890 O'Clock over the
signature Of Gen. Sawyer. This is the
text OF the bulletin:
Mrs Harding's condition at $50
A. NJ. Temperature. 1915; pulse. e6:
respiration. 80. Night less restless:
elimination increased: complications
subsiding; general appearances indl-
cate Improvement; operative proceed
ure deferred.
The District Board OF Commissioners
issued a proclamation asking the rest
dents or Washington TO pray for Mrs.
Hardlngs recovery. In consequence
public prayer services will be held To-
morrow at noon In keiths Theater