New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-26
the most sanguine of those who refused to believe
that there could be a fatal result


lHE TRIBUNE correspondent called upon him at his
Office this evening. After referring to the fact that
he had himself been on duty almost constantly for
forty-eight hours, and that he was so nearly OK
hausted that he had once or twice dropped asleep
during the consultation of the medical council-a
statement which was full corroborated by his jaded
appearance. he said that the condition of tbs Pre-
sident was very bad.
" This parotid gland" said he, /" is acting badly
1t Is Immensely swo len and the intcrstices full
OF pus. 1t is quite bad a carbuncle of the same
size would be, far its effect upon the system is
concerned
" How large is the swelling, Doctor ~
Well L think it is about five by
three and half inches i'll area. 1t oppresscs the
President very much. feel that if that trouble
were passed by, the President would convalesce
rapidly. Everything indicates that his lungs arc
Free There is no evidence of the internal organs
being involved. The wound has been healing and
am ast0nshed at the amount of repair in it in the
last "A hours. He has taken his food in sufficient
quantity, AMI has has no nausea, but tho continu-
ance OF this local trouble is telling him severely"
" is there any evidence of iufltration 7"
Tho whole gland is intiitrated with pus The
incison had to be made to loosen up the capsules
and let out as much possible of the pus, but the
effect upon him in connection with his
long-continued disturbance of the di-
ge' tive apparatus is exceedingly grave.
"We are, of course. paying every possible atten-
ton to this glanduar inflammation. The rise in
temperature is about as great it was yesterday.
The pulse has kept up. which indicates feebleness
caused by this gl nd"
doctor. have you lost hope"
" have not lost hope, but certainly the condition
is much graver than any have had heretofore:
that is, it is much less promising
" l. there any likelihood of his diving suddenly ~
| think Ir IL i'm nriu Iiro
some days"
" Has MR. Garfield been informed by the physi-
cians to prepare for the worsti Such a ruinor Is
current n the streets"
" If such thing has been done it has been with
out my knowledge, and think should have known
THE OPINIONS OF CABINET OFFICERS.
The Cabinet officers were ali at the White House
this evening and remained until 10 p. m when they
went away. Mr.. Krkwo and Secretary Lincoln
accompanied by Postmaster General James and
Representative Amos Townsend, of Ohio, went to
the Arlington for lunch. These gentlemen came
from the din ng-room at 11:3O p. m. correspond
ent of THE TRIBUNE met them and conversed with
them upon the situation.
What is the state of affairs :" was the first oues-
ton. To this Secretary Lincoln replied 1T is
about as bad AZ it possibly be-"
What do you think yourself I" asked the Sccrr-
tary.
"I hear" replied the CORES rondent. "that tbe
that unless there is a radical change for the better
during the night, the situation will be hopeless IN
the morning. Is that truef'
" 1t Is substantially correct" said Mr. Lincoln.
Make II little longer time, say twcnty-four
hours" said Postmaster General James. lis not
that rightf" he inquired of Mr.. KIrkwood
According to my understanding" said Mr.. Kirk
wood, 1T there is not a radical change between 8
and 10 tomorrow morning all hope may then be
abandoned"
In what respects must the radical change take
placer asked the correspondent. Must it be with
respect to the glandular inflammation r.
" In respect to the entire system" said Mr. James.
But TINS affection OF the gland, it is understood
is now the one point which is the subject of anxiety
among the surgeons. Is that correct ~
THAT is correct" said Mr.. James, certainly.
rms affection of the gland has taken violent
form. 1t is like immense carbuncle, which
might cut strong man dowh in four or five davs
like Mr.. Townsend here"
1t is" said Mr. Lincoln, Every hard. and II has
resisted the treatment of the surgeons 1t is like n
sponge in this respect, that it gives up nothing
There is remaining possibility" said Mr. Kirk
WOOD, OF recovery. 1t is possible, but far from
probable that change may occur during the night
winch Will put a new face uhon the matter But we
are all very dosp0ndent aud we are looking with
faint gnmer of hope to the bulletin of tomorrow
mormng"
Yes" said Mr.. James, " and upop that mint no
l remember it, Dr. Bliss to- us he did not see how
such a change was possible | think that Mr.
baincs dispatch of tonight tells the
story about as understand it,"
Yes" said Mr.. Lincoln, I" it does; if ANYTHING il
understates the gravity of the situation
Representative Townsend then recalled the last
time he had seen President Garfield. IL was ot
Long Branch.
thcreO Mr.
upon his wife, who was Just recovering
her health The President was full of bo,e o,d
buoyancy. He expected to leave there in three or
ionr days to be present at the Williams College re-
uhlon ana he was then going to Clyde. Ohio to he
present at the unvciling of the Mcpherson statue
was going to leave the city earlier, but ne
insisted upon my staying so that we might have a
good time toge' her. He wanted me to telegram ia
uenerai McCook to come down, and | did, but 1t SO
happened that McCOok was not in New-York How
well remember that evening how he looked and
talked, and how bright the future seemed before
nm at that time. remember the last evening we
were together, when, after a somewhat busy day
we rctIred to his room. Garfield locked the
ooor, ana said we should receive no
more cards that night. We passed q hanpv
evening. lhave rarely known the General TO cx,r-
else MS brilliant conversational powers more charm
lhgiy' mat was the last time l ever saw hun. and
perhaps may never again see him aliven
dozen times to-day" said the correspondent
III mas been said that the consultation of last night
between the members of the medical council and
the Cabinet had other objects in view and other sh
Jects under discussion than that mado known to tbe
public, namely, the advisahuity of rcmoviny tho
President"
1T is not true, said Secretary Lincoln and Won ca,
dispute that. The Insulation was for that nur
pose alone and no other" The other Cabinet officers