The Washington times., 1922-09-09
HARDING.
IN CRITICAL.
CONDITION.

UUUUIIIUU
CONTINUED from First Pag-J
night. The complications Of yester.
day were less threatening this morn
ing. On the whole her condition Is
rs favorable as can be expected at
this time"
Subsequent to this official an
houncement there accumulated evi-
dence that as the day grew there
was a gradual recurring of the
menacing complications and that the
condition Of Mrs. Harding had again
taken a turn for the worse.
Distinctions In the kidneys were
causing back pressure" on the
kidney, 1t developed. The accumula-
tions in the kidneys, II was indi.
Gated. had caused the tendency to-
ward the feared toxic poisoning Of
the whole system.
Opiates Administered.
Treatment of patients in this con-
dition Is the administration of
opiates, either opium or morphine.
Bleeding of the patient is also a re-
sort to counteract the ravages OF the
poisoning. Intensive measures to
produce profuse perspiration is also
generally used. II Is reasonably as
sumed that all these measures were
undertaken by the attending physi.
clans.
Everything that human effort can
accomplish is being done under the
direction of the staff of skilled
surgeons and physicians constantly
at the bedside of Mrs. Harding. Such
inklings as come from her led
chamber are to the effect that che
is undergoing the severe ordeal with
the patience and fortitude which are
characteristic of her nature.
Is Critical. Says Christian.
George B. Christian, jr.. secretary
TO the President, and longtime neigh.
Dor OF the Hardings, who has been
almost constantly at the bedside as
the companion of the President,
brought first-hand information to the
executive offices shortly after noon,
Boys, Mrs. Harding Is In a very
critical condition." he said. He added
that her. temperature was gradually
rising.
An Old Ailment.
Mrs. Harding has suffered from
hydro-nephrosis before, and has had
recurring attacks since 1910, one in
1913 and another particularly severe
attack in 1916. The attack under
which she Is now struggling for life
Is the most severe of all. The
strain of her multitudinous official
duties is supposed to have aggrav-
ated the latest attack.
Gloom Shrouds White House.
, 4 pail Of gloom overspread the
White House early last evening when
the actual truth as to the gravity of
Mrs. Harding's illness was revealed
by the high officials Of the Admins
tration. Telegraphic messages were
sent out to relatives, and the sum-
mons were sent to the foremost sur
geons in the country to hurry to
Washington.
It became rather generally regard.
ed as ominous when the bulletin was
issued at 9 o'clock to the effect that
recovery is not yet assured"
During the day an attempt at opti-
mism had been made by officials at
the White House, but as the condi-
ton Of Mrs. Harding failed to reflect
the efforts Of the attending physi-
CldHoe TCnOIt Wdb Ilduc " tIdnhHcbSs
Throughout the night there was a
constant, silent passing of auto
mobiles through the front grounds
to the White House. while at the
executive offices there was noiseless
scurrying and activity that bespoke
the gravity and sorrow of the situa-
ton. However, the only night bull
letin was at 0 p. m.
Boys, the condition Of Mrs. Hard.
ing Is critical" George B. Christian,
jr., secretary to the President, ad-
mitted to the newspaper men just
before the bulletin was issued
There was sorrow in his voice that
truly geflected the facts.
President at Bedside.
The President remained at Mrs.
Harding's bedside throughout the
night, retiring for few hours rest
only after dawn broke this morn.
ing. Attorney General Harry M.
Daugherty and Comptroller Of the
Currency d. r. Crsisinger, of
Marion, also were at the White
House until very late.
Four physicians remained at the
Executive Mansion throughout the
night-Dr. John Finney, of Johns
Hopkins, Baltimore; DR.. Charles Il.
Sawyer, Mrs. Harding's personal
physician, and his son, DIR. Carl E.
Sawyer, Of Marion, and DIR. John
T. Boone, of the Mayflower. They
fought an all.night battle to save
the life Of their patient. DIR. George
= T. Harding. brother of the Presi-
dent. has been summoned from
Columbus. and will arrive today.
For ten years Mrs. Harding has
been q sufferer from chronic kidney
: trouble. This old trouble was az.
gravated a few days ago by a. severe
cold. She has also been under con-
siderable strain, according to her
b. friends, because of worry over the
Industrial s.tuation In which she has
taken n deep and constant interest.
All-Night Vigil Conducted.
Early this morning, II was learned
from physicians that the patient
was being eased by continuous use
of hot applications, which induced