Posted by:
elderolddog
(
)
Date: July 25, 2023 01:09PM
The Deseret News, ghawd's own newspaper, insisted that Young died from a ruptured appendix, not from a nefarious helping of poison, of which rumors swirled throughout the Territory.
Shortly after Young's abrupt, yet overdue, step through the veil, the DN assured its loyal but curious LDS readers that an official explanation of Young's death, prepared by "attending physicians" and "others" present when Young kicked the bucket, determined that nothing amiss had occurred.
The paper assured its readers that Young had actually fallen victim to "cholera morbus," a condition blamed on him having eaten a combination of green corn and peaches. (He died 8/29/1877... Green corn at that late date? Second planting?)
"LAST MOMENTS OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG
"In order to satisfy the feelings of many of our readers and answer numerous inquiries concerning the particulars of the last sickness of our late beloved President, Brigham Young, we publish the following, arranged from reports made by Drs. Seymour B. Young, F.D. Benedict, and others were present during the last hours of the President's earthly existence.
"President Young's sickness commenced on Thursday, August 23, continuing the whole of the afternoon. He had an inclination to vomit, but he continued to attend to his business as usual. In the evening, he was present at a Bishop's meeting in the Council House and instructed the brethren in their duties, speaking with marked point and power.
"At 11 o'clock at night, on retiring, he was seized with an attack of cholera morbus, the usual symptoms of vomiting and purging being almost continuous until 5 o'clock on Friday morning, when, at his own request, a mild opiate was administered hypodermically into each foot, to relieve the intense pain, caused by the constant cramping of the muscles.
"During the whole of that day, his sufferings were great, continuing through most of the night but becoming less severe toward Saturday morning, when he slept for a few hours. This was the first rest he enjoyed from the commencement of the attack. During the whole of this period, he endured his pain cheerfully and occasionally made humorous remarks as was his wont when he saw those around him inclined to be troubled.
"Inflammation of the bowels set in on Saturday at 3 p.m., and the abdomen commenced to swell. One small dose, half a grain of opium, was administered at midnight in the same quantity. Though small and given at long intervals, these doses tended to somewhat relieve the pain and retching, so susceptible was his system to any kind of narcotic or stimulant.
"Throughout Sunday, he continued to moan while awake and asleep. When asked if he suffered pain, his invariable reply was, 'No, I don't know that I do.' During the same night, his sufferings were less severe but continuous, although at 8 o'clock, he had a grain of opium and, at midnight, half a grain.
"On Monday morning, at 8 o'clock, he showed increasing symptoms of nervous prostration by constant moving of the hands and twitching of the muscles of the arms. One grain of opium was administered, and from then till 12 noon, he had a very severe spell. Another grain of opium was given to him, and at 8:20 in the evening, half a grain more. At about 9 o'clock, he sank into a quiet sleep, resting without moaning.
"During Sunday and Monday, he had received, at intervals of half an hour, a tablespoon of milk and brandy, an ounce of the latter to eight of the former. He was also frequently administered to by the various brethren from the time he was attacked until his demise. About 10 o'clock on Monday evening, he sank into a semi-comatose condition, from which it was difficult to arouse him, although, by persuasion, he swallowed the milk mixture every half hour and a teaspoonful of ice water between times.
"At 1 o'clock on Tuesday morning, warm, stimulating injections were given, after which he thoroughly aroused and, by the aid of his attendants, got out of bed twice. At 4 o'clock the same morning, he sank into bed, apparently lifeless. Artificial respiration was resorted to, by which the lungs were kept inflated, and hot poultices were placed over the heart to stimulate its action.
"President John W. Young and others administered to him the ordinances for the sick, calling on the Almighty to restore him, and he subsequently revived and responded 'Amen' to the administration. For nine consecutive hours, artificial respiration was continued. At that time, he seemed greatly revived and spoke to those around him, saying he felt better and wished to rest.
"This condition remained until about 8 o'clock in the evening when partial prostration again ensued, and his case was considered exceedingly critical by the attending physicians, Drs. S.B. Young, W.F. Anderson, J.M. Benedict, and F.D. Benedict. After consultation, an entire filling up of the lower part of the bowels by injection was determined for the purpose of creating an action through the alimentary canal but was not persevered in on account of fainting symptoms and the patient objecting to the treatment, which caused him to cry out with pain. He passed the night in a semi-comatose state.
"On Wednesday morning, symptoms of approaching dissolution were plainly evident. The early coma was entirely attributable, so the doctors say, to blood poisoning from the pressure of the swelled bowels, causing prevention of return currents of the circulation to the hearts and lungs. At the time of his demise, he was entirely free from the influence of any opiates or narcotics, not having taken any for 44 hours previous.
"From the time President Young was taken ill until the hour of his death Dr. Seymour B. Young attended to him with the greatest assiduity, attention, and care, scarcely ever having left his bedside during the whole of the time, night or day. In fact, the same can be said of all his attendants, who remained by him constantly and watched every pulsation and very change with the most intense anxiety and solicitude.
"Dr. F.D. Benedict remained with the patient the whole of Tuesday night and Wednesday until his demise. Drs. W. F. Anderson and J.M. Benedict also attended at intervals during that time. The temperature and pulsations were taken frequently; the temperature remained at 99 until 4 a.m. on Wednesday when it rose to 101 and to 105 just before his decease. His pulses ranged from 120 to 128, the latter being reached after the administration of stimulating medicines.
"Not only the physicians named above, but the members of the profession of Salt Lake generally, expressed an anxiety to give all the aid in their power with a view to the relief and restoration of the President.
"On Tuesday night at about 10 o'clock, while lying in a kind of stupor, his son John W. asked him, "Do you know me, father?" He responded, 'I should think I ought to.' About two hours previous to his decease, when several brethren administered to him, he responded in a clear and distinct voice, 'Amen.'
"Since news of the great man's departure has gone abroad, messages of condolence have been received from all parts of the Territory, as well as from the different points of the union and from Europe. No earthly potentate ever reigned more fully in his people's hearts than President Brigham Young. And throughout the territory, while flags hang at half mast, and civic and religious organizations vie with each other in rendering tributes of respect to the departed, grief swells the souls of the Saints . . ."
("Last Moments of President Brigham Young," Deseret News, 31 August 1877)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2023 01:10PM by elderolddog.