1883-92 LAST ILLNESS 271 



him in bed, suffering from a severe form of stoma- 

 titis. His temperature was normal, pulse good 

 though irregular, but his articulation and degluti- 

 tion very difficult.' 



His throat at this time was so much blocked 

 up by exudation that conversation had to be carried 

 on by signs or in writing, and for some days he 

 lay in this serious condition. On August 30 his 

 old friend Sir James Paget paid him a visit, and 

 tried to converse with him ; but Sir Richard, 

 owing to his prostration and difficulty in articula- 

 tion, was unable to sustain the effort long. 



These symptoms, however, cleared up entirely 

 in September. His throat resumed its natural 

 appearance, and he was able to take solid food 

 again, but, although he made satisfactory progress 

 towards recovery, he never made any attempt to 

 leave his bed. 



' In reply to my repeated inquiries,' Dr. 

 Palmer continues, ' Sir Richard invariably an- 

 swered : " I feel no pain at all, but I have no desire 

 to rise from this bed." In direct proportion to 

 the improvement in his symptoms, his intelligence- 

 returned and his faculties recovered. His deaf- 

 ness became less marked, and he was able to con- 

 verse for a short time without fatigue. He would 

 even occasionally discuss some of the questions of 

 the day in his usual kind and courteous manner. 

 While in this condition Sir Richard received a 

 visit from the Prince of Wales, who called to see 



