Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1885 — HIS SICKNESS. [ARTICLE]

HIS SICKNESS.

An Account of the Dead General's Illness— His Fortitude. The decline of Gen. Grant’s health may really he said to date from his severe fall upon the sidewalk over a year ago, when he received the injury to his hip. Last September, while the General was at Long Branch with his family, he spoke for the first time of a swelling and soreness of the tongue. He refused to see a physician about it, and preferred to treat it as a joke. Later on, however, the trouble increased so that it interfered with his speech and the taking of food. At the earnest solicitation of his family and friends he consulted the physicians. The latter decided that he was suffering from a cancerous affliction of the mouth, that this, together with the trouble of the tongue, was aggravated by the patient’s excessive smoking. Gen. Grant, thereiore, reduced his quota of ciga.s one-half. Thereat condition of the General’s health was not made public, however, until Jan. 11, when his throat trouble had increas 'd to an alarming point and took on a more violent form. From this time on his condition varied, at times allowing him to ride out, and at others confining him to his bed and causing great alarm in the family. He was attended by Dr. Fordyce b arker and other of the most eminent physicians and surgeons. During the latter j art of January, however, the rumor gained credence that the reports of the medical journals upon his case had been decidedly rose-colored to allay the fears of the public. It was made known, also, that his physical condition was completely shattered, and that the affection ot the tongue had developed into a malignant and fatal disease. From this time on he was only able to take liquid nourishment, with a few exceptional days, and he was unable to sleep save in naps. Besides the ulceration of the throat the tongue was painfully swollen and inflamed, and the patient suffered so from neuralgia in the head that most of his teeth had to be extracted. During all this time the General had been patient and uncomplaining, and had worked every day upon his military autobiography, scarcely stopping to revise his “ copy,” tor fear he would not live to finish the work. After April ‘2O Gen. Grant greatly improved. He was able to take frequent drives in the park, which did him great good. About this time it was announced that if the improvement continued he would go away to the mountains, and also that he would,' if possible. take a trip to California. April 27 he celebrated his c3d birthday by a' drive, and his physicians were jubilant over his improved condition. Jn May he resumed work on his boo’k, dictating to his stenographer. He suffered considerably from the effort, but with frequent interruptions he continued the work. May 10, he was able to walk several blocks with the assistance of a cane, but three days later he was much worse, and it was feared the end was at hand. He again rallied, however, and in the beginning of June the drives were decided not to be beneficial and they were discontinued. It was decided about the middle of June to remove the patient to Mount MacGregor, and on June 16 he went there in a special train, accompanied by his family. The General stood the trip fairly well, and the succeeding day astonished his physician by walking to the top of a steep knoll. But the effort was too much, and he suffered a relapse. At Mount MacGregor he has lived ever since, with some days of suffering, but on the whole being better than if he had remained in the stifling city. Hie Fatal Lump at the Hoof of the Month. Gen. Grant’s disease first made itself apparent in June. 1884, while he was at his cottage at Long Branch. While eating fruit at lun h he felt a lump in the roof of his mouth. He mentioned the fact to Mr. George W. Childs, whose cottage adjoins his, the lawns being in common. Dr. Da Costa, whose brother-in-law was chief of Grant’s medical staff, was visiting Mr. Childs, and at the latter’s suggestion he called on the General. Having examined the throat, he advised Gen. Grant to consult Dr. Fordyce Barker, his family physician, at once. The General made little complaint about the matter after that until autumn. One day in September, however, the General inquired of Mr. Childs: “What did Dr. Da Costa say about my throat?” Then, for the first time, Mr. Childs, who, like all the other friends of the General at Long Branch, thought that the ailment had disappeared, had his suspicions aroused. J r. Da Costa was seen again by Mr. Childs and asked whether the disease could be incipient cancer. The physician avoided a direct answer, but repeated that the General should see his family physician immediately. It was not until almost the last week in October that the old soldier thought it necessary to consult Dr. Barker. One of the first intimations that the public had of Gen. Grant’s illness was when Mr. Childs invited him to Philadelphia to a series of public receptions some months later. The General declined on the advice of his physicians, and wrote in an explanatory letter dated Feb. 2: “I am feeling quite well, except a soreness at' the root of the tongue and the tonsil over it, which causes me great p in in talking, and especially when I attempt to swallow water. I have not smoked a cigar since the 20th -of November.” On Feb. 27 a telegram from New York, based on reliable medical authority, created general alarm among Gen. Grawt’s friends. It said: "It is a fact that should no longer be concealed from the country that Gen. Grant is rapidly breaking down, and apparently without hope of reaction, and unless there should be some unexpected relief he will not be long among the living. He is wonderfully patient and uncomplaining, and he profoundly appreciates the expressions of sympathy which have been called out by his recent appalling misfortunes.”