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 W^ales, who called to see 
