Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-05
PARALYT|C STROKE
WAS KEPT SECRET
BY OWN DIRECTION

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-(By the
Associated ress.)-The real cause
of Woodrow Wilson's death was a
stroke of paralysis which followed
his collapse in the late summer of
1919. Like Warren G. Harding he
was stricken while on a 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
1t. He entered the White House with
we'll developed start toward
Bright's disease which caused his
Z physicians to predict that he never
would finish his first term. He was
practically blind in one eye from
, retinal hemorrhage which came
while he was still at Princeton uni
versity but the country never knew
1t. Years before he had suffered a
thrombosis blood clot in his ar
teries-but it 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, mlght
lead to a stock market panic, ana
possibly far reaching consequences
to a world then passing through the
stages of postwar reconstruction.
Some of the details came out piece
mea. and over a long period OF time.
Others have not been hitherto pup
lished. 1t is appropriate therefore 70
give them now that he is dead.
First Breakdown
The first indication of serious ILL
ness came during the night of Sep
TENDER 25, 1919, while the presidents
special train was between Pueblo,
Colo. and Wichita, Kansas, coming
eastward on the return part of his
experimenting trip. The increasing
strain upon his physical resources
had been growingly apparent but
none Of his party suspected the
breaking point was so near. There
was no truth in rumors that the
president had become 1ncoherent
during some of his@last speeches al
though it was true that he had dis
playedv great emotion, which was
unusual for his manner of speak
Ing.
When Mr.. Wilson finished speak
Ing at Pueblo that afternoon he was
exhausted and covered with clammy
risrsDiration. An examination by
DIR. Grayson disclosed nothing mark
edly wrong and he was put to bed.
Mrs. Wilson remained up with him
sAs he complained of restlessness.
Soon after midnight he complained
of feeling i'll and DR.. Grayson found
him in a state Of nervous exhaustion,
with the right side of his face witch
ing, as it often had done before
when he was very tired and worn
out.
But the physician was alarmed
and shocked to note a drooling OF
saliva from corner of the presi-
dents mouth and also a dropping of
the facial muscles on the left side.
Recognizing Immediately that
stroke of paralysis was impending.
DIR. Grayson warned Mr.. Wilson of
his grave condition; strongly sug-
gested that he cancel the remainder
bf the tour and Immediately return
TO Washington; and in conclusion
that he try and get some sleep.
II won't be able to sleep at all
doctor, IL you say I must cancel the
trip" Mr. Wilson responded. Gwen,
IL giving my own life would accom-
plish this object, gladly would give
it."
The physician quoted his patient
as best he could and took steps to
lcancel the remainder of the speaking
engagements and bring the presi-
dent to Washington. Mr.. Wilson,
yielding to the entreaties of Mrs. Will
son, acquiesced and the facts were