Evening star., 1924-02-01

story of the years of solitude through
which he has passed were aware OF
the delicate balance upon which his
physical strength has rested, and
knew how it had tilted now this way
and now that throughout the gallant
tight of DR.. Grayson-not only his
physician. but one of his closest per-
sonal friends-to avert a crisis.
1t was for this reason that every
disorder, even of the most inconse-
quential character on its face, has
been watched with the minutest care
and not without misgiving.
The first symptoms of the latest at
tack developed early this week when
Mr.. Wilson became prey to diges-
tive arrangement, at first OF minor
character, but developing quickly
INTO condition that at once aroused
the concern Of those who have watch
ed his Illness in its smallest pc culiar-
tiles.
On Wednesday DR.. Sterling Ruffin.
who had helped attend Mr.. Wilson in
his illness at the White House, was
summoned by Mrs. Wilson IN the alb
sence of Dr. Grayson. He made a
careful examination and on Wednes-
! day night gave the public its first
| real news. of the trouble. in q state
developed, but the for moment. were
| not of proportions to warrant alarm.
| He added that the development was
unrelated to the old trouble that had
assailed the former President during
his western speaking trip, late in
1919.
Confirmed by DR.. Grayson.
DR.. Grayson, on his return to Wash
| ington yesterday, confirmed that dag
| nosis and said he did not at that
| time regard the attack as serious un-
| less it should fail to yield to treat
| ment.
The change during the night, how
|
in the minds of DR.. Grayson and Mrs.
Wilson, who has been the faithful
attendant of her husband since the
| first symptoms Of his collapse became
manifest during the western trip four
| and half years ago. Today she
| notified all the members of Mr.. Will
sons family of his condition. at the
suggestion of DR.. Grayson. None OF
| his three daughters is in Washington.
| For a brief time this morning DR..
Grayson left the bedside of his pa
| tient and made a hurried trip to his
| own home. He did not take leave
| of the Wilson home even then, how
ever. until he had summoned DR.. II.
!, A. Fowler. a Washington kidney spe-
| cialist, who had treated Mr.. Wilson
previously, to remain on watch. Dr..
Grayson said the step was taken '.as
a precautionary measure"
| News OF the change for the worse
1 spread rapily throughout Washing
| ton. Alarming rumorS were dissem-
mated over the whole country dur
| ing the night by radio broadcasting
stations. Early this morning, before
DR.. Grayson had issued his bulletin.
messages of sympathy and encour-
agement began arriving by the thou
! sands.
Coolidge Sends Message.
President Coolidge was one of the
first to convey his expressions of
regret. AS soon as he reached his
office the Preident learned of the
serious condition of his predecessor
in office and he Immediately sent to
Mrs. Wilson a message for himself
and Mrs. Coolidge expressing concern
and hope Of a speedy recovery.
The messages of concern came from
the lowest as we'll as the highest among
the fellow citizens of the former Presi-
dent, as did the great pressure of tele-
phone inquiries that besieged newspaper
offices as soon as the news spread. Wash
ington and the country had heard many
, rumors heretofore about supposed re-
lapSeS, but this time there seemed to
!; be universal realization that some
thing grave had occurred. From ad-
! mirers of the wartime President in
, distant states. from friends of Wood
row Wilson in his youth and his COL
| legiate days. as well as from public
officials throughout all the branches of
the government the inquiries and ex-
pressfons of regret poured in in great
sion.
! Although at first unrelated to the
direct cause of Mr.. Wilson's collapse
! in 1919, the digestive disorder had
| made such inroads on the strength of
| the patient today as TO develop
/ serious consequences. First news OF
Mr.. Wilson's original breakdown was
given to the world when, on the next
i day. September 26, 1919, he was un-
| able to leave his train to deliver an
address at Wichita, Kans. Over a
clear track the presidential special
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