The New York herald., 1922-04-14
TOnsilitis and Swelling of the
Throat Almost Have Pre-
vented His Breathing.
PRAYERS FOR RECOVERY
Famous Tenor's Physicians Are
Certain That Crisis in
Case Is Passed.

John Mccormack, famous American
tenor. las been lying near death at his
apartment, 270 Park avenue. since last
Saturday night. 1t was not until yes
terday that three physicians who
have been in constant attendance ever
since he was stricken decided that
the crisis was past. From an acute
attack of tonsllitis a septic throat
condition developed, also oedema of
the uvula. almost to the exclusion of
breathing. This caused the greatest
alarm, and for three nights the ia
nous singers life was despared of,
but yesterday Dr. Alfred du Pont. the
family physician for many years; DR..
Harmon Smith. a throat specialist.
who has attended him frequently, and
DR.. Cornelius G.. Coakley, another al-
tEority on nose and throat diseases,
cations set in Mr.. Mccormack will
recover.
DR. Smith. who is professor OF laryrgol-
ogy at Cornell Medical School. tech
nically described Mr.. McCormack's all
ment as streptococcic infective sore
throat. commonly called septic throat.
He has been very ill.'iho said "but the
crisis probably was passed last night lie
is better to-day. His voice will not be
affected. as the trouble Is above the
larynx."
Mr.. Mccormack was to have given a
concert last Sunday night in the Hippo
dromc. He had been rchcarsing for IL
for several days. 1t was to be a .'re-
quest programme and some OF the
numbers were not in his customary rep
ertoire and required extra study. h
complained of feeling unusually fatigued.
but nothing serious developed until IL
o'clock Saturday night, when the condi-
tion Of his throat became very bad. The
physicians were summoned and four
nurses were put in charge of the patient
At midnight 1t was decided to postpone
the concert, but no hint.was given to the
public OF the serious condition which
necessitated this action.
So swollen and inflamed were throa.
and. tonsils that the tenor brcathed witt.
the greatest difficulty. Or. smith took
up his residence In the apartment ami
never left his patient for a minute. Threa
times the lance was used. This and
other treatment afforded relief tempo
rarily, but until yesterday morning Mr.
Mccormack never was regarded as out
% danger. The only person aside from
his family and physicians and nurses
-l.. h..x, htxx.s a.. -.
cellor OF the diocese who IL also a
close friend. He called every day and
sometimes twice n day. and while not
officially made known 1t was learned
that special prayers will be offered IN
many churches to-day for the recovery
OF Mr.. Mccormack
Mr.. Mccormack has not been IN the
best OF health since he suffered an at
tack OF laryngitis a month ago in Mime
apolis. ID. j.. McSweeney. his manager.
sail yesterday that II was the opinion
OF tho physicians that Mr. Mccormack
should have taken long rest after that.
but he was eager to continue his work
and insisted upon giving his concerts
as scheduled. IIe is now very anxious
especially to keep engagements TO sing
in Philadelphia and in Baltimore. In
both cities he had promised to give his
fervices at benefit entertainments. The
Baltimore engagement was an especial
compliment to his friend Archbishop
Curlcy. boyhood friend in ireland. who
has asked him TO give concert In be-
half of ST. Mary's Industrial School. and
aire .dy there has been an advance sal;
cf $4,000.
While the concert he was to have
given at the IIippodrome has not been
abandoned II is impossible az this timo
to say when Mr.. Mccormack will sing
again.
At II o'clock last night Mrs. McCor-
mack said her husband was resting and
was a little more cheerful During the
critical days of his illness he was greatly
depressed mentally. and this condition
reacted to retard his recovery.