New-York tribune., 1922-09-11
Hope That She May RepeI
Disease Revived as Her
Fever Is Reduced, but
State Is Still Critical
President Shows
Marks of Strain
Plucky Fight of Patient
Encourages Attendants;
Late Reports Indicate
Her Night Is RessfuI

From The Tribanc's Washington Bareaa
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10.--Slight
Improvement in Mrs. Harding's con-
dition tonight led the physicians in
charge to decide to wait until Mon
day morning before determining
whether to operate.
The following bulletin was issued
at 9 o'clock:
September 10, 1922.
Mrs. Harding's condition to-
night is reported as follows:
Temperature, 1905; pulse, f1s;
respiration, 36.
"She has had fairly comfort-
able day, with such indications of
slight Improvement that the de-
cision relative to surgical relief
was postponed until Monday
morning.
&C. E. SAWYER, NJ. D."
Issued After Long Consultation
This bulletin was issued by DR..
Sawyer after long consultation to-
night in which DR.. Charles Mayo, world
famous surgeon of Rochester, Mimi,
who arrived here this morning, and Dr.
John NJ. T. Finney, specialist of Johns
Hopkins, as well as the entire medical
corps which has seeEs attendance on
the wife of the President were present.
The fact that Mrs. Hardings fever
is perceptibly lower tonight gave
ground for some encouragement. At
the same time it is fully recognized
that the crisis has by no means been
passed and that the life Of the mis-
tress of the Executive mansion hangs
as by thread.
Reluctant to operate Save as last
resort il was determined by the phy-
sicians tonight to await developments
through the night and until tomorrow
morning.
Making Brave Fight
Aided by her superb fortitnde, Mrs.
Harding's physique tonight is showing
distinct signs of ability to conquer
the poisons incident to the kidney
trouble from which she is suffering If
this continues to be the case an opera
tion will not be necessary. While nc
official statement to this effect is given
out it is the general understanding thst
the physicians realize Mrs. Harding
is not in condition to undergo an opera
ton, and hence they will attempt it
only as final and desperate resort.
Mrs. E. B. Mclean, wife of the pub
/ III. .ff H. Il.
intimate friend of Mrs. Harding, on
leaving the White House shortly before
10 o'clock tonight expressed hope of
Mrs. Harding's recovery. Mrs. Mclean
said
"Mrs. Harding seems better tonight.
She has quieted down and is geing to
sleep now. That is why | am going
home. think now there is very good
hope for her recovery"
Senator New, who left the White
House about the same time, said:
"To me Mrs. Harding seems better.
I think she is doing as well as could
be expected"
Condition Still Critical
The nrst official information given
out in the course of the day was the
noon bulletin, which indicated slight
Improvement, but said the condition OF
the patient was still critical. The fol-
lowing was the noon bulletin:
September 10, 1922.
"Mrs. Harding's condition at IL
o'clock noon as follows:
Temperature, 100; pulse, 102;
I respiration. 80.
During early part of last night
patient was nervous and resflasss
latter part of night and early morn
/ ing quiet and sleeping greater part
Of time. Physical appearances indis
cate slight Improvement over yester-
day. Condition still critical Con-
sultation with DR.. Charles Mayo, who
arrived at 10 a. M, and DR. John
Finney has not yet been concluded.
&C. E. SAWYER, NJ. D."
Chances Against Recovery
| Among officials close to the Presi-
dent no secret was made of the fact
that the chances were against recov-
/ cry. On the other hand, the nerve and
fortitude displayed by the patient in
her fight for life were such as to give
| hope that she would live.
| DIR Mayo arrived at 10 o'clock His
| train was an hour late. He was rushed
/ from the Union Station to the White
! House and remained there most of the
day and tonight. Soon after arriving
Dr. Mayo consulted with DR.. Sawyer
and DR.. M. T. Hnney. of Johns Hop
kins. DR.. Cari Sawyer, Dl. Dauiel =
/ Boone and DR.. George E. Harding So
brother of the President, participated
/ 1t was decided by the physicians ts
/ take blood tests, and specisasns were
submitted to the naval dispensary lab.
oratory. About 2:86 Dr.. Sawyer and
/ DR.. Mayo left the White House. DR.
Finncy, it is understood, had returned
/ to Baltimore, coming back to Washing-
ton this evening. Dr. Sawyer and Or
Mayo returned to the White HOUSE
4 about o'clock. Or. Sawyer said a
that time that no decision had beer
reached on the question of whether Il
operate. He added that the decision
would rest on the laboratory result,
and THAI it was Scientific matter
II became known that the PEAL ques
tion confronting the medical men an,
surgeons was whether Mrs. Harding
i heart was strong enough to bear fh.
1 operation. Under conditions In which
the patient is sn vigorous healsh, witt
! strong heart action. an operation t,
4 cure the malady of hydro-nephr i
I not regarded as extremely dangerous
! Mrs. Harding, however, is sixty-tw,