The US Attorney General, Mr John Ashcroft, has been admitted to intensive care in hospital because of problems with his pancreas, the Justice Department said today.
Department spokesman Mark Corallo said Mr 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," the spokesman said.
Mr Ashcroft yesterday cancelled a scheduled appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, 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," Mr Corallo said.
He said Mr Ashcroft went to the emergency room of the George Washington University Hospital last night for an evaluation of his stomach complaints. "Doctors expect to know more within 48 hours".