Evening star., 1929-11-15
GOODS CONDITION
MUCH IMPROVED
War Secretary Takes Nour-
ishment First Time Since
Operation Today.

A decided improvement was noted to-
day in the condition Of James w. Good.
Secretary of War. who is at Walter Reed
Hospital following an emergency op-
Grafton last Wednesday for acute sp-
pendicitis.
At the White House, where this re-
port from Secretary Goods attending
physicians was made known, this news
was very happily received and was
looked upon as most encouraging, mas
much as this is the first definite i'm
provement indicated since the cabinet
officers operation.
The fact that the patient took nour-
ishment this morning for the first time
also was hailed as an encouraging sign.
This is accepted as indicating that the
attending physicians no longer fear
spread of peritonitis, which has been
kept local since it's development.
Mr.. Goods heart action has continued
to satisfy the physicians and his tenn
perature, while slightly above normal,
is about what was expected.
White House Pleased.
The encouraging reports today re-
garding Secretary of War Good were
especially pleasing to the White House,
following the sudden turn for the worse
last night in his condition. So serious
was the patients condition considered
last night that Col. William L. Keller
of the Walter Reed staff of surgeons,
who operated upon Mr.. Good, called q
hurried consultation, which was attend
ed by his assistants on the hospital STAN
and Lieut.. Comdr Joel T. Boone, Presi-
dent Hoover'S personal physician, who
has been requested by the latter to rem
der every possible assistance to his
cabinet member. The reports reaching
the White House last night as result
of this consultation were represented to-
day as having been decidedly dis
couraging.
During the early part of the night
Mr.. Good is said to have had few lucid
moments. At 9 o'clock, however, he
sank into sleep which was recognized
as being sound. He slept comfortably
until midnight and awoke, giving eyt-
dence of being stronger. He slept again
from until $50 o'clock this morning
and for another hour during the fore
noon today.
Receives N0urishment Well.
With each successive awakening Mr..
Good seemed improved. At 8 o'clock
this morning the physicians decided
that developments permitted the giving
of nourishment. He received 1t well,
which resulted in the physicians becom-
ing more hopeful of the outcome.
In representing Secretary Goods con-
dition today as being decidedly improv-
ed, the physicians reminded the White
House that, while there was good rea-
son to feel hopeful, they did not want
to minimize the cabinet officers condi-
ton. They still considered his condi-
ton as being grave. The crisis has not
yet been passed and not until then
will they express themselves in more
confident manner. The remainder Of
today and tonight and probably tomor-
row morning are described as the de-
termining periods. If Secretary Good
can continue the brave fight and con-
tinue the stout resistance he has dis
played since his operation, the belief
is that he will pass through this danger
period. Everything depends upon pre-
venting the spread OF peritonitis, 1t was
explained.
Mrs. Good Still at Hospital.
Mrs. Good, who accompanied her hus-
band in the Walter Reed ambulance to
the hospital when it was decided by
consulting surgeons Tuesday night that
an emergency operation was imperative,
has remained LIleT6 SlIlC6 anu Keeps u
constant vigil. She has an adjoining
room, but very infrequently has she
conversed with Mr.. Good.
President Hoover has continued to
keep in almost constant touch with the
hospital, so great has been his concern.
Most of his reports have been furnished
by DR.. Boone. The President has given
instructions to call him at any hour
Of the night in the event of any decided
change in Mr.. Goods condition. Follow
ing the discouraging reports earlier last
night Mr.. Hoover remained up consid-
erably beyond his regular hour for re-
firing.