Evening star., 1938-02-25
.PERSH|NGRALL|ES
FTERST|MULANT.
| But END IS NEAR
Better Than Since Yester-
day, but Condition Critical,
Says Bulletin.
RELATIVES SUMMONED
TO SIDE DURING NIGHT
Sister Holds His Hand, While
Only Son PAGES Corridor and
Orderly Sobs.
BY the Associated Press.

/ By the Associated Press.
TUCSON. Ariz., Feb. 25.-Gen. John
j. Pershing, whose condition became
so critical last night physicians pre-
dicted the end was near, continued
to rally today and an official bulletin
said his heart and blood pressure we're
improved
Gen. Pershing's rally continues, -
said the 9:15 am. I1:I5 am. E. S. T)
bulletin issued by Dr. Roland Dawson
He is now better than he has been
since early yesterday afternoon"
The bulletin, however, contained
the statement that his condition
must still be regarded as critical"
mo prediction can be made at this
time" DR.. Dawson stated.
The World War chief who lapsed
into Inconsistencies at 8 o'clock last
night. causing his physicians to sur
mise he could not last long, rallied
under the administration of heart
stimulants and partly regained con-
| sciousness."
HIS temperature was normal and
he rested we'll during the early morn
ing hours. He rallied enough at one
time to show signs of recognizing
those at his bedside.
sergt. c. C. shaefTer, the generals
orderly, related that when one of the
nurses removed a hypodermic needle
from the patients arm he turned to
Sergt. Shaeffer and said:
She is just as mean as ever isn't
she?"
Roosevelt Sends Messaxe,
President Roosevelt telegraphed en-
couragement to Gen. Pershing yester-
day. 1t was disclosed today.
The cheering message was read to
the World War chief last night before
he lapsed into Inconsistencies. Con-
tents Of the telegram were not made
public.
The staff of physicians despaired of
his life early last evening. DR.. Verne
Mason, who was called from Los An
geles to consult with DR.. Dawson and
1t. Col. S. U. Marietta of San An
tonic, Tex, made plane reservations
to return home He left at 1880 am.
(M. S. To.
DR.. William Kerr, heart specialist
OF the University of California Medical
School, San Francisco, who was
summoned to the bedside but missed a
plane connection. was advised not to
come, that his arrival would be too
late
Stimulants Administered.
Physicians administered heart stim-
ulants early today and reported a
short time later Pershing's blood
pressure was slightly better.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
to get him to drink water. Intraven-
GUS feeding had been abandoned.
The physicians announced at 9:l5
pm. 11:l5 pm, E. S. T) last night
that Gen. Pershing had lapsed into
unconsciousness. Relatives were hast
lily summoned to the bedside.
Miss May Pershing, his only sister
and devoted companion of recent
years, spent much of the night sitting
by the bed holding the generals hani.
One of her old friends, Mrs. W. e.
Hardy. Lincoln. Nebr., and Mrs. Will
liam r. Mathews, wife Of a Tucson
publisher, spent the night at the hos
pital to comfort Miss Pershing.
Warren Pershing. an only son,
paced the corridors and occasionally
stepped into the room for q glimpse
at his father.
Sergt. Shaeffer sobbed:
Il am soon going to lose the best
friend in the world. I'll be saying
goodbye and going back to Washing
ton pretty quick now"
Suffered Relapse Monday.
Indisposed since February and
confined to his bed for 10 days, the
commander of Americas Expedition
ary Forces in the World War held his
own until Monday, when he suffered a
sudden relapse.
First reports were that he suffered
only from rheumatism, but physicians
admitted after his removal to a hos
pital that heart complication was
the cause of alarm. Even then they
insisted he would recover.
Wednesday the doctors decided ne
had suffered "acute damage" to heart
muscles but expressed belief q pro-
longed rest in bed would bring re-
covery.
From that time on, however. each
bulletin indicated the general was
losing ground, slowly at first, then
more rapidly on Thursday.
| Always lover of the outdoors and
the West, Gen. Pershing turned In his
last years TO the land where he began
his Army career. He had spent his
last six winters in Tucson and from
his hotel window could look over the
mountains where he chased warning
Apache Indians on his first assign
ment.
He made his last formal review Of
troops in January, 1887. at Fort
Huachuca, Ariz., standing with Col.
w. F. Robinson, commanding oficer,
to take the salute Of the 25th In
fantry.
On his arrival this winter he was
hoarse and suffering from . cold.
His usual morning horseback rides
were eliminated. and his automobile
trips were fewer and shorter, finally
discontinued.
He did not visit Fort Huachuca and
when time came for the annual win
ter rodeo, to which he had invited
two of his old cronies. Gen. Charles
G. Dawes and Gen. James G. Har-
bord. he was confined to bed
Gen. Dawes and Gen. Harbord de-
parted last weel end, confident Persh-
| ing would be out Of bed In . few days.