The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-10
MRS. HARDING FIGHTS
AGAINST GREAT ODDS,
OPERATION POSSIBLE
Patient Is Conscious, but in
Pain, With Toxic Con-
ditions.
TEMPERATURE AT 1O4
Extreme Measures Are
Taken to Afford Relief
by Sweating.
CRISIS AFTER A RALLY
DR.. Mayo Expected to Arrive
To-day-Mr. and Mrs. Wood
row Wilson Call.
CRISIS AFTER A RALLY
'sscsa, Dispatch to TIE New YosK Hr.ALD.

Special Dispatch TO THE New YORK HElALp.
New. York Herald Bureau
Washington, ID. c.. Sept. 8.
Mrs. Harding, wife Of the President,
Is SO i'll at the White House tonight
that there seems to be very little
chance for her recovery.
She Is conscious, but in pain. Five
physicians are at her bedside. while
the sixth, Or. Charles Mayo. is on his
way from Rochester, Mimi. and is ex-
pected to arrive at o'clock to-mor-
row morning.
Upon DR.. Mayo's arrival the pfysi-
clans will decide whether an opera
ton should be attempted to save Mrs.
Harding's life. Grave doubt exists as
to her ability to withstand such an
ordeal.
An official bulletin issued at 1920 to-
night said:
Temperature 1882; respiration So:
pulse 112. Excretion by kidneys
somewhat increased. Laboratory
findings indicate less auto-intoxica-
ton. Pain in abdomen diminished.
Patient has been able to take and
retain some nourishment Condi-
ton still critical.
Drs G. T. Harding, Jr., President
Harding's brother. Joined the medi-
cal council Saturday morning. DR..
Charles Mayo, who has been called
to confer on surgical aspects of the
case, will arrive in Washington at
2 A. NJ. Sunday.
c. Z. SAWYER. M. d.
Traces OF toxic poisoning. due to
the inability OF the kidneys to func-
ton. are discernible. Extreme meas
ures to bring relief through sweating
processes have been resorted to. with
fair success
Patients VIII Is strong.
Hope. Of course. has not been aban-
doned. Every possible medical attention
is being administered. There have been
slight encouraging signs. Mrs. Har-
ding's strong will as much as anything
is responsible for such improvement az
has been noted.
President Harding Is silent and anx-
ious. but shows few Ill affects of the
strain.
There Is no effort at the White House
to minimize the gravity of Mrs. Har-
ding's condition. The slight encourage
ment which was apparent early In the
day decreased when night came. and It
was realized that everything would de-
pend on the developments tonight and
tomorrow.
Mrs. Harding's temperature rose af-
ter noon, and is was regarded as a bad
sign---one that the toxic poisoning. which
had been feared, was making Roadway
through the system. On the other hand,
the efforts 10 bring relief through arti-
fetal means were successful to some ex-
tent, and IL gave rise TO the hope that
this together with Mrs. Harding's rugged
determination might bring at least
temporary recovery.
Official Washington is apprehensive
and waiting anxiously for any word OF
encouragement from the bedside. Many
friends, officials and diplomats called
at the White House during the day and
evening to ask about Mrs. Hardings
condition.
MT. ana urs. wiison Shhi.
Among the callers were Mr.. and Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson, who left their cards
and expressed the hope that Mrs. Har-
ding would recover. Attorney General
Daugherty. Secretary Weeks, Speaker
Gillett and many others visited the Ex-
ecutive Mansion on the same mission.
Scores OF kilograms OF hope clicked In.
All the regular White House activi-
ties were abandoned because or Mrs.
Harding's condition. Mr.. Harding went
10 his office long enough to have every
appointment Cancelled. A concert by
the Marine Band scheduled for o
O'Clock was abandoned. Visitors, or
dinarily admitted TO the lower rooms
OF the White House between the hours
OF 10 and 2, were barred.
The gates TO the White House
grounds remained open 50 that visitors
could walk through them. The word
went around. however, that Mrs. HaT-
ding was gravely III. with the result
that many who ordinarily might go
through the grounds contented them
selves with looking through the fences.
There was little danger OF disturbing
Mrs Harding. Her room Is in the
southeast corner of the mansion, away
from the noise. II has the advantage
OF plenty Of sunshine as well as quiet.
Mrs. Harding's condition Is due. IN
medical terms. TO hydronephrosis' WIN