Douglas Daily Dispatch

Doctor Flies To Bedside Of Edison

Famous Inventor Suffers Collapse and Physicians Rush to Aid.

Son Says Electrical Wizard Critically Ill Has Chronic Nephritis and Diabetes: Been Growing Feeble Rapidly

WEST ORANGE, N. J., Aug. 1 (P).—Thomas A. Edison, who has been failing in health since his return from Florida six weeks ago, suffered a sudden collapse late today but recovered and was said to be resting quietly shortly afterward.

The condition of the aged inventor, who is in his 85th year, was such that one of his physicians, Dr. Hubert S. Howe, who had been swimming at Sands Point, L. I., hurriedly chartered an amphibian plane and flew from Manhasset Isle airport to Newark, N. J., where an automobile and a police escort speeded him to the Edison home to join two other doctors.

"Resting Quietly"

After a consultation the following statement was issued by the physicians:

"Mr. Edison has been failing in health since his return from Florida six weeks ago. He is suffering from chronic nephritis and diabetes. The diabetic condition is now under control and the kidney trouble seems improved as compared with a week ago.

"This afternoon he suffered from a sudden collapse, but at present he has recovered from this and is resting quietly."

(Signed)
Dr. Frederick M. Allen,
Dr. Hubert S. Howe,
William R. Williams.

Critical, Says Son

Charles Edison, son of the snow-haired creative genius, told intimate associates during the afternoon that his father was "critically ill," and it then was learned that Mr. Edison's usual afternoon automobile ride had been cancelled.

John Sloan, son-in-law of Edison, said the inventor had been up and about "a few hours" each day recently, but neighbors said when he had gone motoring during the last 10 days it was necessary to carry him to the machine.

News of Edison was carefully guarded at his home, situated in Llewellyn park, a restricted and private residential district.

Using Wheel Chair

Upon arriving from Fort Myers, Fla., in June, the inventor appeared more feeble than usual. The lack of his customary visits to his laboratory was the basis for reports that he had decided to retire. Denials were made with the explanation that he was indisposed because of the heat.

However, shortly before he left Fort Myers, it became known that he was using a wheel chair to travel a short distance from his home there on the Caloosahatchee river to his winter laboratory, scene of exhaustive experiments into the possibility of producing rubber in the United States.