Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-08
CALVIN, JR., GR|M[Y
CLINICS To LIFE AS
FEVER RACES AGAIN
Faint Hope Survives Among
Bedside WatcherS-Criti-
cal Night Passed

WASHINGTON, July THE last
point of gravity was reached this aft
ernoon in the condition of Calvin
Coolidge, Jr, son of the president,
suffering from blood poisoning at
Walter Reed Army hospital.
He was clinging to life with won
derful ten9city but hope was about
all that was held out for his re-
covery. All of his medical attendants
were remaining close by, and find
ing as chiefly marvellous the stamina
the boy was exhibiting.
Gas was said to be forming in the
stomach, an additional indication of
the progress of the infection and
making it impossible for him to take
nutrition by the ordinary means.
The president and Mrs. Coolidge
were remaining Immediately at hand.
Despite all of the unfavorable con-
ditions, his bedside watchers and
physicians still held to hope that he
might recover by means of the de-
termined fight he is making for his
life
Thrice Within Shadow
Three times during the night they
were called from an adjoining room
when it was feared he was about to
die. At midnight oxygen was admin
tstered and a blood TRANSMISSION was
resorted to. Two enlisted men OF
Walter Reed Army hospital volun-
teered for the operation.
Throughout today the physicians
were in close consultation. They were
encouraged by young Calvin's I'M
suspected ability to withstand SO
stubbornly the ravages of the blood
poisoning which has enveloped his
body from a blistered foot, but they
made it very clear that his condition
still was extremely critical and that
he had already suffered as much as
, the humany body could be called
upon to survive.
1t became evident that the disease
had not entirely centralized in the
leg which was operated upon Sat
urday and that the poison was run
ming again through the body.
Injection of serum to fight the
condition had to be resorted TO anG
the battle became one between the
power of the poison and the endur.
ance of the boys heart in carrying
the injections necessary to check
the disease.
Too Weak for Operation
Physicians said today that the
boy was under gas, rather than
ether. during Saturdays operation.
Even though the poison might local
re again in some portion of the body
it was fesred that he could not stand
another operation.
After a consultation of physicians
early this afternoon, President and
Mrs. Coolidge decided to so to the
White House for luncheon, indicat-
ing that the doctors felt that their
patient was not actually in a dying
condition.
The need of stomach specialist
to cope with the later developments
in the case brought in another
= physician, DR.. William Gerry Nor
&n, of Washington. A washing out
the stomach was completed sue
Vcessfully.
1t was announced soon after Z
o'clock this morning that the presi-
dents son was Somewhat more COM
Portable" after having passed
through hours regarded as marking
the most critical stage of his illness
from septic poisoning.
One of the physicians who remain
ed in attendance described his sur
vival of the night as miracle, -
adding that the boy now had a "bare
lighting chance" for recovery. The
fact that gives the greatest promise,
he said. is .t1at mo vital organ has
broken down under the strain"
Midnight Blood TRANSMISSION
The physician confirmed reports
that blood TRANSMISSION had been
resorted-to, presumably about mid
night. and said the youth had ere
acted well to the transmission and
other things that have been done
FOR him.
While it was states in one quar-
ter that oxygen had been admins
tered during the sinking spells early
today, the physicians refused to COM
ment on this phase of the case.
The president and Mrs. Coolidge
who remained lat the Walter Reed
army hospital near their sons bed.
side throughout the night, were
called at each of the sinking spells
suffered by the patient. After q
broken rest, they were up at
o'clock this morning, planning to so
to the White House for breakfast
ard To return Immediately to the
hospital