Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-12
DOCTORS BELIEVE
FIRST LADY VERY
MUCH IMPROVED
Spent Fairly Good Night Says Morning Rep0rt-Opera
ton Has Been Postponed lndetlnltely-Presl-
dent Calls Off Cabinet Meeting

Washington. Sept. l2.-The crisis
Of the grave illness of Mrs. Harding
seems to have passed the six attend
inc physicians reported at 9:42 a.
m. today in an official bulletin.
The bulletin read: Mrs. Harding's
condition at a. m:
Temperature 9S.S: pulse 81, Respi-
ration 30, Early part of night rest
less. Latter.part comfortable. General
appearances improved. Enlargement
due to the nephrOsis decreasing.
Laboratory findings favorable. Crisis
seems TO have passed. Surgical pro-
ceedure deemed unnecessary for the
present.
c. Z. SAWYER"
The bulletin shows Mrs. Harding
this morning had near normal tenn
perature.
Despite the confident tone of the
bulletin announcement President
Harding decided to call off the cabi-
net meetingg which was scheduled
for this morning.
Washington. Sept. 12.-Slowly but
steadily, Mrs. Harding continued to-
day to make gains against the disease
that struck her down and threatened
her life
While the Presidents wife is by no
means past the danger point, nor even
assured, as yet, of recovery, by COM
parison with last Thursday and Fri
day she is a great deal better.
A note Of warning against too great
optimism came from the White House
early today. 1t was pointed out that
Mrs. Hardng's excellent condition
now Is only comparative, and that she
still is extremely weak, and in great
danger Of her life, because Of the in
sidious character Of the kidney malady
from which she is suffering.
Each hour. however, that sees no
recurrence Of the alarming compllca-
tions while first appeared late last
week. strengthens Mrs. Harding's
hanccs. Nature and medical skill 1T
least appeared today to have tipped
the scales in her favor. What the doc
tors now have to do is see that they
DO not tip back.
Brigadiar General Sawyer person.
ally feels that "the chances for Mrs.
Harding's recovery from the present
attack seem extremely good" a per-
sonaj friend Of President Harding
told the United States.
The gradual Improvement which
had continued up to noon has led 20
the expression of confidence Of Cen
eral Sawyer that she will safely pull
through the present acute crisis, this
friend said.
The last official bulletin issued Mon
day night sal dthat the Improvement
continued. but that "prognosis was
still guarded" It follows:
Mr. Harding's condition at 1870
=. m:
Temperature l00.
"Pulsc 80.
desperation %.
Laboratory observation show in
creased elimination and Improvement
in character of findings General APP
pearances indicate improvement Of
complications. Surgical procedure
further deferred. Awaiting loaliza-
tion Of infection.
"Patient has had most comfortable
day during the present illness. Wnlle
all indications show favorable pro-
gress. prognosis is stiT1 guarded.
&C. f. SAWYER, VI. D."
Whereas, early yesterday, the ply
sicians were wondering whether Mrs.
Harding would be able TO withstand
the shock of an operation TO relieve
her. as the dey went on, and she
continued to improve, they virtually
abandoned the idea Of operating be-
cause they believed that would no
longer be necessary.
In any event. the operation was
definitely deferred for the preser',
and. if it should become necessary. it
is now assured, it was indicated, that
the patient has gained enough so that
shc could undergo it without such
great danger.
Dr.. Charles Mayo, the famous
Rochester, Mimi, surgeon, who hur-
ried to Washington when it was be-
lieved an operation might be the only
means Of saving Mrs. Harding, prob
ably will return to his home today. II
an operation has 70 be nerformed, ICr.
John Finney Of Johns Hopkins prob
ably will perform it.
As a result Of the lessening OF the
crisis. President Harding last night
retired about $3.50. Mrs. Harding at
that time was resting comfortably,
and told the president she was gong
to sleep. Mr.. Harding is about worn
out from his constant vigil, and from
the tremendous strain Of anxiety
which his wife's illness put upon him.
That the President was greatly en-
couraged to hope f. Mrs. Hardings
recovery was indicated when he spoke
7st night Of today's cabinet meeting.
7. was not announed, however, wheth-
er there would be one.