FORD
03-05-2004, 10:26 AM
Ashcroft in Intensive Care, Pancreatic Problems
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General John Ashcroft, the nation's top legal officer, has been admitted to intensive care at a local hospital because of problems with his pancreas, the Justice Department said on Friday.
Department spokesman Mark Corallo said Ashcroft, 61, who became attorney general in 2001 after his appointment by President Bush, was suffering from a "severe case of gallstone pancreatitis."
"He was admitted to intensive care for careful monitoring and is being treated with antibiotics," Corallo said.
Ashcroft on Thursday afternoon canceled a scheduled appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, to applaud the guilty verdict in a so-called "Virginia jihad" terror case because he believed he had a stomach flu.
"He went home and when the condition worsened, he was visited by White House Physician Daniel Parks, who advised that he go to the emergency room," Corallo said in a statement.
He said Ashcroft went to the emergency room of the George Washington University Hospital early Thursday evening for an evaluation of his stomach complaints.
"Doctors expect to know more within 48 hours," Corallo said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General John Ashcroft, the nation's top legal officer, has been admitted to intensive care at a local hospital because of problems with his pancreas, the Justice Department said on Friday.
Department spokesman Mark Corallo said Ashcroft, 61, who became attorney general in 2001 after his appointment by President Bush, was suffering from a "severe case of gallstone pancreatitis."
"He was admitted to intensive care for careful monitoring and is being treated with antibiotics," Corallo said.
Ashcroft on Thursday afternoon canceled a scheduled appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, to applaud the guilty verdict in a so-called "Virginia jihad" terror case because he believed he had a stomach flu.
"He went home and when the condition worsened, he was visited by White House Physician Daniel Parks, who advised that he go to the emergency room," Corallo said in a statement.
He said Ashcroft went to the emergency room of the George Washington University Hospital early Thursday evening for an evaluation of his stomach complaints.
"Doctors expect to know more within 48 hours," Corallo said.