Evening star., 1922-09-09
MRS. s.HARDING'S CONDITION
REGARDED AS DESPERATE

bt1SPNlbSIS nv S-Ss .s"ss .
Continued from First Page)
condition, known medically as ascites.
So far it is understood that 1t has
not been determined whether one or
both kidneys are affected or what may
be the cause of the obstruction. Some
surgeons have found that 1t frequently
is caused by what is commonly known
as floating kidney. when one OF those
organs gets out of place and twists the
canal which conducts the outgoing
fluids. thus ,obstructing or completely
closing the passage. In some cases the
obstruction has been found to be caused
by the lodgment of renal calcus--a hard
acid crystal body-in the canal. In
either case the obstruction causing the
accumulation of fluids produces sharp
pains and consequent di!ation OF the
organs, and If not successfully relieved
causes the absorption or distribution of
toxins and results in some degree OF
uraemic poisoning.
Conscious Through Agony.
Until the arrival of other surgeons
and the consultation which will de-
termine what action is to be taken.
Mrs. Harding is being made as COM
Portable as possible with sedatives.
but she has been all through entirely
conscious and with her mental facil-
tiles unimpaired, and despite the great
pain approaching at times to almost
agony, she has shown as her first
concern the comfort and repose of
those about her.
The fact that she was resting
easier today, because some of the
pressure had been relieved during the
Nj h II
medically that nature was helping In
some degree to relieve the obstruc-
tion, and might continue to contribute
valuable aid to the surgeons during
the next 'twenty-four or forty eight
hours.
While a surgical operation is
generally accounted a sure means OF
relief in such cases. other considera-
tionS frequently make it inadvisabie
in the opinion of the surgeons. and
whether ii will be resofted to. for
Mrs. Harding depends on the develop
Examinations Of the consulting sur
geons when they assemble.
Daugherty at White House.
Attorney General Daugherty. who.
besides being a member of the Presi-
dents official family, is an intimate of
the Harding household, spent the
night at the White House. He left
shortly before o'clock this morning.
He told the newspaper men then that
Mrs. Harding had spent a more rest
full night. and that she appeared to
be slightly better this morning, but
that her condition was still very
serious.
George Christian, the Presidents
secretary. and an intimate friend of
the Harding family of more than
thirty years standing. was at the
White House until midnight. 1t was
he who gave to the newspaper men
earlier in the night Gen. Sawyer's
second bulletin concerning Mrs. Hard
ing,s condition .-@r-..- -,
Mrs. Harding's< condition Is very
critical" he said. as he handed the
bulletin to those at the White House
entrance. - : =, -.
Other Friends Present.
D. R. Crissinger. controller Of the
currency and a neighbor of the Hard
ings in Marion. Ohio. and Mrs. saw.
yer, wife of Gen. Sawyer, and close
friend of the family, were at the
White House until nearly midnight
Secretary of War Weeks called dur
ing the afternoon and evening, and
again early this morning. Upon
leaving this morning he stated that
he had been informed that Mrs.
Harding had had a more satisfactory
night than she experienced Thursday
that while she appeared slightly i'm
proved this morning her condition
was still very serious.
Former Complaint Returns.
Gen. Sawyer describes Mrs Harding's
illness as hydro-nephrosis, a recurring
ailment of the kidneys. 1t was explained
that she has suffered from this COM.
plaint at intervals, especially 30 sinoe.
she was operated upon nine years ago.
Several times since then she has SUI
fered from attacks. the most serious OF
another critical attack during the Pres
ident's campaign for the Presidency. and
a milder one just prior to the Presidents
inauguration.
Mrs Harding, on these former occa-
siens, did not suffer as much as she has
during her present illness and her con-
dition yielded more readily to treatment.
During all Of these former attacks Gen.
Sawyer was in constant attendance and,
with one or two exceptions, his son was
in consultation.
Those close to Mrs Harding are of
the opinion that her present illness
dates back to her last trip on the
presidential yacht Mayfower, when she
accompanied the President on a week
end cruise over Labor day.
About ten days ago she contracted
cold which, 1t is believed, aggra-
days later she appeared greatly inn
proved, In fact SO much so that she
busted herself about the White House
until setback occurred which neces-
STATED her returning to bed. Comph-
cations followed, the most serious of
which was experienced Thursday
night. 1t was then that her condition
was viewed with considerable alarm
and which resulted in the issuance Of
the first bulletin explaining the nature
and seriousness Of her illness and
making no secret Of the fact that the
White House was greatly concerned.
Many messages expressing hope
that Mrs. Harding would speedily re-
cover have been received at the
White House during the past TWEEN
ty-four hours. These messages have
been In the form Of telegrams, let
ters and personal calls. Practically
every member of the Presidents cabi-
net and numerous high government
officials and other prominent persons
have called personally to inquire as