The daily gazette., 1881-07-28
A Discussion AMONG THE DooToB

That doctors will differ has been long
been proverbial, and it still holds good,
although an effort was made to secure
harmony and prevent an open discus
sion over the symptoms and treatment
of the case of the President.
The quarrel among the doctors com.
menced as early as the third day after
the President was shot. DR.. Baxter
claimed to be family physician, and on
the rules and courtesy of the profession
called in to assume his duties as the
physician in charge Of the patient. He
was not permitted to see the President,
and high and insulting words passed
between him and DR.. Bliss. A few
day., subsequently DR.. Bliss discharg-
ed several, or sent them noees that
their visits were not wanted, and as
was stated, with the consent of the
President took entire charge and select
cd three other physicians toassist him in
the management Of the case. After
ward Doctors Agnew, of Philadelphia
and Hamilton, of New York, were
called upon as consulting physicians.
1t was supposed that this would give
the greatest satisfaction and show that
the ablest and most experienced talent
had been secured. But it turned oui
differently, and subdued mutteringl
were heard from the profession in var
ious places. Finally the New Yorl
Herald gave vent to some suppositions
that the Doctors were holding bacl
important intelligence with regard tx
the condition of the President. Thu
was followed by criticism from DR.
Hammond on the treatment of Doctor,
Hamilson and Agnew. DR.. Hamilton
among other things says that mistake
have been made by those who hav
written on the case because they mad
use Of authorities while in ignoranc
of all the facts" This has induces
the Herald to enter upon discussio
Of the case, and it says:
But the public will notice that ou
structures upon the almost incredibl
faults committed in this case have a
length established a salutary state @
opinion in one particular. II is no,
recognized that the surgeons who ha
this case in their hands for many day
need to be watched by surgeons DOS
sessed of more capacity. DR.. Agnew
OF Philadelphia, and DR.. Hamilton, O
TINS city, now regularly alternate il
their attendance on the nations inya
lid. Whyf Because the resident sur
geons are now thought unequal to th
difficulties Of the occasion, and eve
seem to admit that this responsible
needs to rest npon broader shoulder
than their own. Here we say in salu
tary change dus the public criticism {
the case. Only the other day one {
the surgeons was assuming person,
charge by dismissing everybody else
now he calls for help. If he had n,
been forced to understand that ever
stage Of this case was watched minut
ly and watched with such intelligent
as would fetch home the responsible
for bad result the President woul
have been dead already, and woul
have died without any appeal to ths
superior skill which on Sunday morr
ing instantly detected and overcam
that trouble which, had it RENAME
unremedied, would have been fatal i
forty-eight hours. Our great regret
that this change in the attendance wa
not forced two weeks earlier.
The Herald then turns to DR.. Han
ilton, and asks 'How does he knowP
sLet MS cite point for compariso,
On July z the President was IN ii
fifth day Of his injury. On that da
mot one Of the surgeons near him ba
any doubt whatever but the bali ha
gone through his liver. Yet on th,
day We said In these columns, "Thel
IL, no evidence whatever that Il
ball ID in the liver or has ever touche
81 lies