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NEW YORK TIMES
March 1, 1885

ULYSSES S. GRANT SINKING INTO THE GRAVE. DYING SLOWLY OF CANCER - WORKING CALMLY ON HIS BOOK IN TERRIBLE PAIN

The members of the family of General Grant have, for more than a month past, been filled with foreboding as to the outcome of the insidious disease with which the old hero is struggling. There have been times when he has appeared to rally surprisingly and to regain something of his former animation and vigor, and hopes were entertained that he might throw off his sickness. Relapses, however, came, and hopes changed again to fears of the worst. Within the last two weeks or so, his wife and children have been oppressed with the fear that the General's present illness will prove his last, and that the end is at hand. His physicians hold out no hope of permanent recovery. These painful tidings have been received by the friends and family with great sorrow, and expressions of sympathy have poured in from all quarters to the afflicted kindred.

There was a consultation of the physicians on February 19, when it was agreed that the troubles from which the General was suffering was cancer. General Grant has not been a well man for over a year. On Christmas eve a year ago, he slipped on the ice on the pavement and fell, receiving painful injury of the hip. Pneumonia followed, which was aggravated by boils and bedsores from confinement. It was on June 2, 1885 that the General was first troubled with the disease that is now sapping his strength. He was at Long Branch and at lunch tasted some fruit and felt a lump at the roof of his mouth. Dr DeCosta was called in as the lump grew more troublesome. The physician at once recognized that the trouble was of a serious condition and advised the General to consult with his family physician at once.

The General neglected to do this until late summer. Dr. Barker, when he examined him, found that he was suffering considerably from the difficulty and sent him to Dr. Douglas, a specialist in throat diseases. He at once began to treat the distinguished patient. The General was at that time unable to eat except without great difficulty and his sleep was disturbed. It was on October 22 that General Grant fell under Dr. Douglas' care, and for the next four weeks he visited his office nearly every day. His physicians recommended that he limit his smoking to the first half of three cigars daily, and after complying with the suggestion for awhile, the General abandoned smoking altogether. This did not seem to affect him nor did he suffer from the usual craving that attends inveterate smokers on abstaining from their habit. During the warm days early in December, the General felt so relieved that he began to take morning walks, and after one of these caught cold. This was followed by an acute attack of his throat, which almost prevented him from eating and speaking, and he returned to the care of Dr. Douglas - that was on December 16.

Dr. Douglas said last night, "The General has never been a great eater, and in December his condition was poor. During that time his teeth troubled him so that he had been eating soft foods, minced meat, terrapin, and had continued with the same diet while trying false teeth, when he felt well enough to try them. Hence his physical condition was not satisfactory. He had been greatly troubled by the failure of Grant and Ward, and this was also against him. In consequence of these things he was not prepared to resist the attacks of so strong a disease.

A relapse set in on Monday of last week. The General had eaten a rich cream, and he found it so palatable that he probably took too much. Last Sunday night he felt a terrible pain in his head. He sat up in bed and listened to the reading aloud of his book. When the front door opened, a draught of air passed across his head and it seemed to make the pain worse. During the past week he has suffered a great deal and was visited by Dr. Douglas twice. On Wednesday he was seized with a violent headache. Yesterday he sat up, polstered in chairs and worked on his book. The pain was nearly all gone, although he was not free from a disagreeable feeling in his head.

The cancer, Dr. Douglas said, was a malignant cancer. The consulting physicians all agreed that an operation would be of no use. The doctors, of course, make no predictions as to the rapidity with which the disease will progress, but their opinion seems to be that the gallant old warrior has at the most only a few months to live, and that his death may occur in a short time. The General's family have constantly tried to cheer up their patient and to encourage him with the hope of getting better. The General has spent much strength on his book, which he seems anxious to finish at once. During his recent illness, when confined to bed, the General's habits were very regular.

He was accustomed to rise at 8 o'clock. He then read the papers and had breakfast. At 9:30 he would be driven down to Dr. Douglas' office, accompanied by his valet, Harrison Tyrell. On his return he would work on his books seven or eight hours a day, dining at 7 o'clock. Sometimes the afternoons the General would take a ride in he park, but his recreation was usually after dinner. Many friends were accustomed to call, and a pleasant game of cards would be indulged in. The General usually retired at about 11 o'clock.

General Grant would often consult with his friends in regard to his book. The little gatherings in the evening tended to cheer him up when he became troubled by his throat. He had been told from he start of the nature of his trouble. When he first visited Dr. Douglas he asked, 'Doctor, is it cancer?' 'It is epithelial,' was the reply. The greatest sympathy is expressed on every side with General Grant in his painful trouble, while the anxiety mounts. All of the floral tributes and letters gather on the parlor of the first floor, a room which is adorned with with many curiosities gathered and presented to the General on his journey around the world, and they have been touching in the extreme. Throughout his troubles, General grant ahs worked occasionally on his literary protects. He feels if it will be completed, it will be done at once.

General Grant has been most patient during his sickness. Even while sitting up with bandages about his head, which was throbbing with pain, he wore a resigned, calm expression, and would listen to the reading of his book. With apparent effort, he would suggest the few changes he desired in the text. His sons have been with him at every possible moment during his hours of suffering, and have trihis spirits and make his waking hours as cheerful as possible.

 

 

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