Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-04
Victim Bright's Disease
Continued from Page One)

er knew it. Years before he had
suffered a thrombosis blood clot
in his arteries-but it was in one of
his legs and never developed any
serious trouble. The same thing in
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
or 1t, while he was president, might
lead TO stock market panic and pos
slbly far-reaching consequences to
world then passing through the first
stages of postwar reconstruction.
The first indication of serious illness
came while the presidents special
train was between Pueblo, Colo, and
Wichita, Kansas. coming eastward on
the return part of his speech making
trip in 1919. The increasing strain
unon his physical resources had been
Srowingly apparent but none OF his
party suspected the breaking point
was so near.
When Mr.. Wilson finished speaking
at Pueblo that afternoon he was eX-
hausted and covered with clammy
persplration. An examination by
Doctor Grayson disclosed nothing
markedly wrong and he was put to
bed. Mrs. Wilson remained up with
him as he complained of restlcssness.
Soon after midnight he complained
of feeling i'll and Doctor Groyson
found him in a state of nervous eX-
huston, with the right side Of his
face twitching. as it often had done
before when hn firn1 md
worn out.
BUt the physician was alarmed and
shocked to note a drooling of saliva
from n corner Of the presidents mouth
ard also a dropping of the facial mus
cleS on the lett side. Recognizing inn
mediately that n stroke of paralysis
waS impending. DR.. Grayson warned
Mr.. Wilson of his grave condition;
strongly suggested that he cancel the
remainder Of the tour and Immediately
return to Washington: ana in conclu-
sion. that he try and get some sleep.
The physician took steps to cancel
the remainder of the speaking engage
mcnts and bring the president to Wash
ington. Mr.. Wilson. Yielding to the
entreaties of Mrs. Wilson. acquiesced
and the facts were announced to the
country in an official statement which
said:
president Wilson's condition Is due
to ovcrwork. The trouble dates back
to al 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 ncr-
vouS exhaustion. His condition is not
but it will be necessary for
his recovery that he have rest and
quiet for a considerable time"
cit is n fact that up to this time
Mr.. Wilson had not suffered q stroke
but the danger of one was recognized)
With that announcement the coun-
try got its first information that the
president had broken down and on
Goth and eth as his spec
ial train rolled along toward WASH
ington the president rested and slept
while Mrs. Wilson and Doctor Gray
son took turns being with him. He
home Sunday morning at II
O'Clock, on September %.
For the first time in three days Mr..
Wilson rose from his bed and walked
to the White House motor car which
awaited him. He looked pale and
drawn. but he walked without assist
ance and returned the greetings of n
small crowd of travellers which he
passed in the railway station. Al
though there was no crowd to well
come him outside the railway ter
Final, Mr.. Wilson as his car drove
off, solemnly raised his hat and bow
ed as If returning greetings from a
great thrOng, as he had done so many
times in the past. The incident was
explained by physicians as being a
case Of abstraction heightened by his
exhausted condition and suggested by
habit. But it was magnified into n
rumor that Mr.. Wilson had lost his
mind. Subsequent events disproved
it conclusively but it lived long and
was used freely by political enemies.
That afternoon he was well enough