Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-23


fears for his life, cause slumps /
major political parties into
others.
After a heartening if pro-
longed recovery, the President in
June suffered the second set
back. 1t was an attack of ileitis
and his doctors were forced Ia
perform emergency surgery
which once again aroused fears
and doubts.
Now, just three weeks before
his Seth birthday, Mr.. Eisen-
hover appears the picture OF
good health. He is feeling fine,
he says. and only last week told
the American people he is con-
fident he possesses the physical
strength to shoulder the burdens
of President for another four
year term.
From the standpoint of the
Chief Executives health, the
past year could hardly have been
more dramatic.
First linking of Illness
The public got its first inkling
of his illness on Saturday morn
ing, September "a, 1865. The
original announcement by AS
sistant Press Secretary Murray
Snyder was not alarming, how
ever. He told reporters at the
vacation White House that Mr..
Eisenhower had had a digestive
upset" during the night.
Subsequent announce m n t S
disclosed the more serious ma
ture of the Presidents condition.
They finally described the attack
as moderate" coronary throm-
boSis. BY mid-afternoon, Mr.,
Eisenhower was patient at
Fitzsimons Army Hospital, under
an oxygen tent.
DR.. Paul Dudley White. the
Boston heart specialist and one
Of the doctors flown to Denver,
told reporters on September &c
the patient was progressing sat-
isfactorily and might be able to
go to the Eisenhower GettyS-
burg farm in about three weeks.
He explained the first two weeks
would be the period of maximum
danger but that, barring COM
plicationS, the chances were good
for complete recovery within
two months.
On the fourth day, the Presi-
dent had improved sufficiently
to listen to tapped music by
Brahms and Bach and some re-
corded Shakespeare. Tension
eased a bit. At the same time,
doctors limited the patients diet
to 1000 Galleries to hold down
his weight.
Powers Delegation Dropped
The White House high COM
mand and other top officials OF
the administration had dis
cussed, meanwhile, the possibility
of delegating some presidential
power to others. On September
90, the day a nurse began reading
magazines to Mr.. Eisenhower,
the delegation of powers plan
was dropped.
Aides said the President had
his first excellent night on
September 30, that it had been
unnecessary to use the oxygen
tent. He signed two official
papers, inquired how the World
Series was progressing and
asked to be served beef-bacon
for breakfast. That request
started a run on beef-bacon at
meat markets across the country.
General improvement was
noted in the second week, though
one day the President did not feel
quite as we'll as before. An X-ray
in bed disclosed no heart en-
largement. Mr.. Eisenhower had
a fine time opening "get WELL
presents from his grandchildren
and he was allowed to read for
the first time since the attack.
In the third week. when the
period of greatest danger was
past, DR.. White reported there
were no complications. He said,
however, convalescence was slow.
Yet, the heart was healing. Vice
President Nixon came for a visit
on October 8. The President got
his first chance to sun himself
on October 10; his bed was rolled
to terrace of the hospital. A
day later. he held his first bust
ness conference with Secretary
of State Dulles.
More Good News
Mr.. Eisenhower was still bee
patient when he celebrated his
65th birthday october IA by
opening gifts, receiving mes
sages. having a little party anc
hearing more good news from
the doctors.
A day later, at the start o.
the fourth week, he was lifted
into a chair. Soon he resumed
his painting hobby
In the fifth week. he stooc
erect and stepped onto some
scales. He had lost 4 pounds
He walked a few steps to &
chair. was cheerful and chatty
He shaved himself, watched
movies and worked on a mes
sage to Congress. When an
other examination showed NJ
enlargement Of the heart. hi
caloric intake was increased Il
1900 and he was permitted II
sit up and walk, as he pleased
His progress continued steadily
On November 5. British Fielt
Marshal Lord Montgomery o
Alamein said after a visit: g,
reckon that he looks better today
than I have ever seen him look.
Dr. White said a new checkuI
justified nothing but good new,
but added the President should
wait until January or February
after being exposed to the "tota
strain" Of the White House-tC
decide whether to seek a sec.
ond term.