The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-04
STROKE CAUSES
 WILSON'S DEATH
Entering White House A Sick Man, Doctors Prolonged
 His Life

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-(By Asso- ciated Press.)-The real cause of | Woodrow Wilson's death was stroke of paralysis which followed his collapse in the late summer of 1919. Like War ren G. Harding. he was stricken while on speaking trip in the west. Up to the time of his collapse. the country thought him a normally healthy man, but he was far from it. He en- tered the White House with we'll developed start toward Bright's disease. which caused his physicians to predict that he never would finish his first term. But by careful devotion to his doctors orders he fought off the malady. He was practically blind in one eye from a retinal hemorrhage. which came while he was at Princeton university, but the country never knew it. Years before he had suffered a thrombosis a blood clot in his arteries-but 1t was in one of his legs and never developed any serious trouble. The same thing in his brain later on laid him low and led to his death.
 By his own personal directions. the exact nature of his fatal illness was concealed from the world for months because he feared public knowledge of it, while he was President. might lead to a stock market panic, and possibly far-reaching consequences to world then passing through the stages of post war reconstruction. Some of the de tails came out piece-meal and over q long period of time. Others have not been hitherto published. It is appro- priate therefore to give them now that he is dead.
 III At Pueblo
 The first indication of serious illness came during the night of September p, 1919, while the Presidents special train was between Pueblo, Col, and Wichita, Kan, coming eastward on the return part of his speech-making trip. The increasing strain upon his physical re- sources had been growingly apparent, but none of his party suspected the breaking point was so near. There was no truth in rum0rs that the President had become incoherent during some of his last speeches. although it was true that he displayed great emotion, which was unusual for his manner of speak ing.
 When Mir. Wilson finished speaking at Pueblo that afternoon, he was ex hausted and covered with clammy per spiration. An examination by Dr. Gray son disclosed nothing markedly wrong and he was put to bed. Mrs. Wilson remained up with him, as he complained of restlessness.
 The physician was alarmed and shocked to note a drooling of saliva from corner of the Presidents mouth and also a dropping of the facial mus cles on the left side Recognizing im- mediately that stroke of paralysis was impending, Dr. Grayson warned Mir. Wilson of his grave condition strongly suggested that he cancel the remainder of the tour, and immediately return to Washington, and in conclusion that he try and get some sleep.
 Would Sacrifice Life
 Il won't be able to sleep at all. doe tor, if you say 1 must cancel the trip Mir. Wilson responded Even if giv. ing my own life would accomplish this object, l gladly would give it." The physician quieted his patient al best he could and took steps to canoe , the remainder of the speaking engage ments and bring the President to Wash ingtOn. Mir. Wilson, yielding to the en treaties of Mrs. Wilson, asquiesced and the facts were announced to the country in an official statement, which said:
 President Wilson's condition is due to Overwork. The trouble dates back to an attack of influenza last April in Paris, from which he never has fully recovered. The Presidents activities on this trip have Overtaxed his strength and he is suffering from nervous ex haustion. His condition is not alarm.