NEW YORK TIMES
March 28, 1885
ULYSSES S. GRANT'S CONDITION. PASSING AN ALMOST SLEEPLESS NIGHT AND RIDING TWICE DURING THE DAY
Dr. Douglas said yesterday, "General Grant tried to get along last night without anything to aide him. He thought he could get natural sleep, but he lay awake until after 4 o'clock. Then he had assistance from drugs and slept from 5 o'clock until about 10. I don't know why he failed to sleep unless it was because of yesterday's examination by the lawyers, or, perhaps, the absence of an anodyne. That may have contributed to his wakefulness."
Although General Grant did not sleep nearly until daybreak, the night was passed without pain, and he did nothing but toss about and lay with his eyes open nearly all the time, staring at the ceiling. Colonel Grant and the black body servant took turns in watching him. By morning they were pretty well fagged out, while the patient had quite abundant color and did not seem especially fatigued. Soon after rising he ordered his carriage and drove out with Mrs. Grant. They were gone an hour. He had no inclination to resume work on his book, but on returning from the drive sank into his easy chairs and remained there until Dr. Douglas called at 6 o'clock. Then the General went for another drive with Senor Romero and Dr. Douglas. For a few minutes conversation was carried on by Dr. Douglas and Mr. Romero. General Grant was content to listen. But no topic was reached that interested him until one was reached and then he joined the talkers quite volubly.
It was not long, however, before he became husky and ceased to talk entirely. Dr. Douglas detected this and in a few minutes, "If you don't talk too much, you won't have to clear your throat. It doesn't do you any good to clear your throat, so you had better not talk so much." The General was silent for the rest of the drive. On reaching home, he said he thought the air had done him good, an opinion which Dr. Douglas cheerfully seconded, in view of his improved appearance. He was looking quite refreshed.
The rest of the day and last evening were spent in the sleeping room, the General taking it very easy and resting in his easy chairs. The doctor found his pulse and temperature nearly normal and his throat "pretty well for him." He said he would try again to sleep without assistance. Dr. Douglas thought it would be worth trying, but left a potion which the General was to take if he did not sleep within 2 or 3 hours. Work on the Memoirs, which the General regards as of special urgency, has been neglected for several days, because of the combined effect of sleeping potions and of increased wakefulness. |