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NEW YORK TIMES
April 9, 1885

ULYSSES S. GRANT MUCH WEAKER. DRAGGED DOWN BY AN ATTACK OF HEMORRHAGE - LITTLE HOPE THAT HE WILL LIVE LONG

A new phase of General Grant's disease developed early yesterday morning. At 4 o'clock a.m., the General awoke. Dr. Douglas was instantly at his side. After attending the patient, he gave him his usual nourishment. After taking it the General was seized with a paroxysm of coughing. The attack was the one of the most violent he has suffered. In the midst of it a stream of blood issued from his mouth. During his struggle to obtain mastery over the cough he did not for a moment lose his composure. Even when the blood spurted from his mouth he remained perfectly calm, and with an apparent effort managed to direct Harrison how to hold the basin so none of the blood might fall upon his person or the floor. The family were awakened, though none of them entered the room until after the culmination of the attack.

Being unable to determine the source of the hemorrhage, Dr/ Douglas said he would send for Dr. Shrady and Dr. Sands. The General coolly wiped in the blood from his mouth and said, 'What is the use of you sending for the other Doctors? you are enough." Still the doctors were sent for, Dr. Sands arriving at 5:45 a.m. and he remained in the house but a short time. As he had brought his instruments it was thought an operation was contemplated. He had them, however, merely as a precaution. His services, fortunately, were not required, as before his arrival the hemorrhage has ceased on its own accord. It was caused, it was believed, by the encroachment of the cancer, although it had been hastened by the fit of coughing. The growth of cancer had probably not been sufficient to break the artery from which the blood came, although the hemorrhage had been primarily due to the deeper penetration of the disease. The hemorrhage left the General in a very debilitated condition. The loss of a teacupful of blood was an immense drain upon a system already weakened almost to the last degree. An injection of morphine brought sleep to his tired and enfeebled frame.

Senator Chaffee left the house at 6:15, satisfied that General Grant was safe for the time being. The General, he said, had been of great help to the doctors when the hemorrhage occurred, following the directions coolly and taking the bad turn as a matter of course, without apparent thought that it might have a serious ending. By 8:00 a.m., the alarm of the morning hours was passed. The General lay perfectly motionless in his chair with his eyes closed. The incessant watchfulness of the attendants betrayed their anxiety. Still one of them said, "The General is now able to breath through his nose, and we do not regard the morning attack as very important. Much of the alarm of the morning was due tot he distressing sight of blood."

The General lay sinking all the morning. He seemed fully to realize his condition. His eyes were closed and there was little color in his face. The sick room was very quiet. Members of the family were often in the room to look at the sufferer, then they quietly retired. He scarcely spoke during the entire morning, except to his attendants in regards to lessen his discomfort. His mind seemed clear and his speech coherent. But he wanted to left alone, and at time, when questions were asked him oftener than he wanted, he turned his head wearily, as though indifferent as to whether further efforts were made to stay death. He wanted to be left alone. Dr. Newman left the house at 10 o'clock. "When I left him just now he was perfectly conscious," he said, "The family stood around. If they were in fear the end had come, they held themselves in wonderful command, but I think the trying period has passed. The General reclined in his chair, composed but silent. Not a word was spoken by him and he displayed no emotion. There was nothing any way indicative of a death scene, both the General and the family feeling that the farewell words of Thursday had made the preparation for parting complete."

At 2 o'clock, fever had set in and the General was silent. It annoyed him to answer any questions and he had taken no food for several hours and the doctors agreed he need it. He could hardly bear the thought of eating. but he supposed he could force himself to do it. The doctor insisted onto necessity of nourishment and he sipped a little milk as one takes medicine. When Dr. Barker came out, he said: "A man of his will power is in very low condition when he becomes so listless that he takes his food only under protest. There's no denying his condition is critical. The fever reached such a high pitch that the General broke the silence of the day by frequent mutterings. They were not intelligible. It was though that he might be trying to say something his attendants, but it soon appeared that the fever had affected the brain and he was wandering. The incoherence lasted a little while, then exhaustion set in and the patient slept.

The outlines of the General's chair could be seen through the window. He companions were all within reach of him, on watch constantly. Just before dusk, the General woke and gazed for a few moments out onto the dying day. His mind was clear. Dr. Newman gently clasped the General's hands in his own and said, "I want you to know that in your affliction, you have many friends. The people are all your friends now." The answer's reply was: "and many friends not he only side." "There are," the clergyman said, "and they are waiting for you." "May they not have long to wait," the General responded wistfully.

It is no longer disputed that the cancer has reached the danger point, the rupture of the artery being on the precursors of the death in his disease. the physicians were gloomy and almost helpless. The family have made up their minds that the end is close. Mrs. Grant has been so much affected by the change that she refuses her meals and would not leave the General's floor, although she is rarely by his side. "There is little doubt," said Dr. Douglas, "that the end is near. There is no use in battling the disease much longer and the General wants to go. He is wearied of the trouble that has been taken on his behalf and would be glad to be free. I cannot say when the end is likely to come, but it is very near."

Dr. Newman left the General at dinner time. "There will be no deathbed scene," he said. "That is certain. The General said good-bye and farewell to his family when he addressed and caressed them last Thursday. The General is calmly awaiting the summons to go. As he spoke of joining his friends over the river his face lightened up with an expression of pure happiness and contentment. The General's face shows he is considerably more wasted. The swelling of the neck is perceptible." At 10:30 the doctors issued the following bulletin: "General Grant continues to be in a comfortable condition. he has slept well and his pulse is 84. He has just taken his nourishment with pain. His respiration is 14."

 

 

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