Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02
CONDITION
IS CRITICAL AFTER
COLLAPSE AT HOME
Famed Inventors Health Has
Been Failing Since His Re-
turn From Florida.
RECEIVERS FROM ATTACK,
THREE PHYSICIANS SAY
Doctor Makes Air Trip to Bedside
of Patient-Retirement Was
Recently Rumored.
BY the Associated Press.

by the ASSOCldbcu Eitos'
WEST ORANGE, N. j., August l.
Thomas A. Edison, who has been 1all-
ing in health since his return from
Florida six weeks ago. suffered sudden
collapse late today. but recovered and
was said to be resting quietly shortly
afterward.
The condition Of the aged inventor,
who is in his S5th year, was such that
one of his physicians. DR.. Hubert s.
Howe, who had been swimming at
Sands Point, Long Island, hurriedly
chartered an amphibian plane and new
from Manhasset Isle Airport to Newark.
N. j., where an automobile and police
escort speeded him to the Edison home
to join two other doctors.
Doctors Issue Statement.
After a consultation the following
statement was issued by the physicians:
Mr.. Edison has been falling IN healtn
since his return from Florida six weeks
ago. He is suffering from chronic
nephritis and diabetes. The diabetlc
condition is now under control. and the
kidney trouble seems improved as COM
pared with a week a2O.
This afternoon he suffered from
sudden collapse. but at present he has
recovered from this and is resting
quietly. (SignedD
DIR. FREDERICK M. ALLEN.
DIR. HUBERT S. HOWE.
WILLIAM r. WILLIAMS"
Earlier in the day DR.. Howe had
gone to Long Island after a visit to
the Edison home and it then was I'M
derstood he would not return until to-
morrow morning.
Charles Edison, son OF the snowy
haired creative genius, told intimate as
sociates during the afternoon that his
father was critically ILL.," and 1t then
was learned that Mr.. Edison's usual
afternoon automobile ride had been
Cancelled.
John Sloane, son in-law Of Mr. Edi-
son. said the inventor had been up and
about "a few hours" each day recently,
but neighbors said when he had gone
motoring during the last 10 days it was
necessary to carry him to the machine.
News of Mr.. Edison was carefully
guarded at his home. situated in
Llewellyn Park, restricted and private
residential district.
Upon arriving from Fort Myers, Fla.
in June the inventor appeared more
feeble than usual. The lack OF his
customary visits to his laboratory was
the basis for the reports that he had
decided to retire. Denials were made,
with the explanation that Mr.. Edison
was indisposed because Of the heat.
Uses Wheel Chair.
However, shortly before he left Fort
Myers, Fla, 1t became known that he
was using a wheel chair to travel a
short distance from his home there on
~ Lak IN HE UJiTfaF
laboratory, scene of exhaustive expert
ments into the possibility of producing
rubber in the United States.
Charles Edison went to Fort Myers
and accompanied Mr.. and Mrs. Edison
home. and the inventors old crony,
Henry Ford, visited him here last week.
Until the doctors statement was re-
leased tonight the exact nature Of Mr..
Edison's ailments was not known. For
several years past he has been on a
self-imposed diet Of milk, designed to
remedy stomach trouble.
His indomitable will, however. has
kept him active in recent years and he
has continued to maintain long work.
ing hours and short periods of rest.
On his last birthday, February IL, he
participated in q public celebration in
Florida.
Harvey Firestone, one Of EdiSon's
closest friends, telephoned tonight to
learn Of the inventors condition and
talked with Mr.. Sloane, who told him ::
Mr.. Edison suffered a nasty collapse
but recovered and Is resting quietly.
His condition is not satisfactory, how
ever"
Lapses Into Semi Coma.
The collapse occurred while Mr.. Edi-
son was sitting in chair in his library,
off bed room. He lapSed into semi
coma.
Among those at the Edison home to-
day were his sons Charles of Llewellyn
Park, Theodore of East Orange,
Thomas of Orange. and Mrs. Sloane.
Two other children, William Edison
of Wilmington, Del, and Mrs. Marion
Oser of Danbury, Conn. were notified
that Mr.. Edisons condition was not
serious enough to warrant their making
q trip to the home tonight.