The Washington times., 1922-12-18
Doctors Say Reid Is
Suffering from 'sFlu,"
Not From Narcotics
BY WILLIAM q. CAYCE.
~ "hsA ". IN
ICopyriRht. 1871. bx international
News service.J

tcopyrisht. isss. by international
News serviceD
LOS ANGELES. Cal. Dec. 1s.--
Wallace Reid is suffering from q
,evere case of influenza and not
from overindulgence In alcoholics
or the use Of narcotics"
Such was the exclusive statement
today to International News Serv-
Ice by the two medical experts who
are In constant attendance to the
famous film hero, who is fighting
winning battle at n Hollywood
Ianitarium, after a three months
llness.
when Mr.. Reds case was
brought to our attention ten days
ago, he was in most serious con.
dition. suffering from Intestinal
'rouble and with fever that was
lmaxing for him to be alive. said
he physicians. who requested their
James be withheld.
His major trouble was the blood
count, which was half that OF q
normal person." the physicians con-
tinued. Abnormal pressure is dqe
10 two illnesses. One OF these Ii
typhoid fever, and the other influ-
enza. Every test we made nor ~.
phoid proved negative. Hence We
have arrived ut the definite con.
ciusion that he has influenza. HE
intestinal trouble has been eradi.
Gated, as he IL able to take nour.
ishment now and get fairly kood
rest. Another indication that Reid
has influensa In the manner In
which his fever fluctuates."
Fever II Reduced.
As to the stars condition today
the doctors said he was resting
easily after gnod night.
The actor's present Weakened con.
dition a declared to have been the
direct result of the game and win.
ming fight he made three months ago
to break himself Of the habit OF using
intoxicants and narcotics.
Though he single handed won this
battle, his entire system was ieft IN
such poor condition 10 result OF the
reaction that he was on the verge Of
breakdown. He believed himeelf
recovered ana returned 70 the studio.
After three days. work the crash
came, and In q state Of collapse ne
was removed TO the sAnitariuin, when
his present medical attsndants were
called.
However" the physicians aAded,
''Mr. Reid 10 still very weak. but he
has strong viii and . seeminkly
inexhaustible supply Of energy. Al
though we believe ne has, passed
the crisis, his weakness leaves him
d fit subject for 4 reinfectlCn Of
influenza. His recovery VIII be
slow but certain, We believe"
will Hays, 'boss" Of the movies..
who ID now In Los Angeles. ~
sumed an aif Of pity rather thin
sccrn when Informed Of the starr
condition. Displaying more thoueit
10 the case than he sxpressed. Mr..
Hays said:
dThere 10 nothing for me to ~
about the matter at this time. ex.
cept that I Join with the others IN
hoping that Reid Will win hack hia
health and be himself again"
wife Denies DtaseIhent.
Mr.. Hays denied he haA stated he
would crush. the alleged traffic of
narcotic peddIers IN the hlm kofld,
and Indicated that was I matter tor
state. county and sFedeftl Anthcri.
ties TO cope with and beyond his
Jurisdiction.
''If Reid ls the victim he Il rs.
ported to be. then ne should BE-
nitied rather than ecorned, and NJ
should DO al possible to help him
restore HE health" Hays aid.
Messagess of sympathy and offers
of assistance continued to pour into
the stars residence today from his
friends and admirers from III over
the country. 3
the the, trsss e q along NH. The avenue THY