The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-11
Tho Still Critical, Mrs. Harding
Is Slightly Better.
The Improvement, First Noted
Yesterday, Continues.
SPENDS A RESTFUL NIGHT
Decision as to an Operation
Has Not Been Reached.
Patients Plucky Fight Gives
Rise for Encouragement.

Washington. Sept. 11.-An official
White House bulletin on the condition
of Mrs. Harding issued at 10:0S a. m.
today said:
Mrs. Harding's condition at $3.50 a.
m: Temperature 99k. pulse 96,
respiration 80.
Might less restless. Elimination
increased. Complications subsiding
General appearance indicate improve
ment. Operative procedure deferred.
&C. E. Sawyer"
Washington. Sept. 11.-Mrs. Hard
ing spent a fairly restful night" but
there was no marked change in her
formed at the Wnlte House when he
called shortly after 8 o'clock this
morning to inquire as to her condition.
Secretary Weeks. who called at the
White House soon after Mr.. Wallace
left. announced. On leaving, that Mrs.
Harding had spent the best night in
several nights and that the slight i'm
provement which set in yesterday was
continuing, with the patients temper
ature getting nearer normal. Mr..
Weeks indicated that decision as to
an operation, which was postponed
yesterday after a consultation of ply
sicians, had not as yet been reached,
Rochester, Mimi, specialist, had told
him last night that developments
would be awaited. The secretary OF
agriculture did not see the president,
but talked with White House attaches.
Senator Medill Mccormick. of Illi-
nois, after talking with Secretary
Christian this morning, told cores
pondents that reports on Mrs. Hard
| ing's condition were more encouraging
than last night. Indications, he said
! pointed to an operation. as Mrs. Hard
ing's physical condition was much
more able to stand it.
Decide on Operation Today.
! Altho the critical illness of Mrs
Harding, wife of the president, was
still causing the gravest anxiety, she
was understood at dawn today to be
still holding the slight Improvement
indicated in her condition yesterday
and last night. On the turn of heI
condition within the next few hours
it was. said, probably would depend tbs
decision as to the adyisability of ar
operation which attending physician,
were prepared to consider at further
consultation this morning.
/ This decision was postponed las
I hight in view of the indications of {
slight improvement noted in the bu'
letin issued by DR.. c. E. Sawyer, White
House physician, at 9 o'clock las
! AhSAt. Inc DullGliIs WHICH Sdlu M .
Harding had spent fairly comforta
| bic day yesterday, was the last officia
word on her condition, altho friends
| who remained at the White Hous'
until a late hour, said on leaving tha
| Mrs. Harding was then resting, rela
i lively free from pain. and still holding
her own in the plucky fight for recov
cry which has elected expressions O
| admiration from all sides.
| Doctors Remain at White House.
| For the first time in the four day
of Mrs. Harding's desperate illness sh,
| was attended last night by only on,
| nurse. DR.. Carl w. Sawyer remained
| on duty thruout the night in the sici
room while DR.. Charles Mayo and a!
| of the other doctors, except Dr. JohI
! Finney, who returned to Baltimore Il
| spend the night slept at the Whit
House. They were all prepared to re
sumo today the consultations as to tn
, advisability of an operation which
were begun yesterday morning afte
the arrival of DIR. Mayo and continued
with only brief Interruptions TO
luncheon and dinner. into the night
President Harding, wearied by th'
long vigil. which he has kept at tn
bedside of his wife, left the sick room
to retire at about II o'clock, tn,
earliest hour he has sought rest fl
several nights. He yielded to th
urgent advice of the doctors leavinl
word that he should be called on tn
development of the least unfavorabl
symptoms or if Mrs. Harding asket
for him.
While the gravity of Mrs. Hard
ing's condition has given no relic
from the anxiety felt for her recover,
among many intimate friends VIII
called at the White House thruout yes
terday and last night, some wene ex
treneiy hopeful that the continue,
absence of any unfavorable symptom
meant a definite turn for the better
Secretary Weeks and Secretary Ne1
who were among the last callers t
leave the White House last night, bot
- expressed this feeling.