Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-28
Noon Interrsesc With DR.. Bliss,

Noon 1nterUSeaC With DR.. Bliss,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug.
81, 1 p. m.-In an interview at noon, DR.. Bliss
responded to questionssas follows:
What view do you take of the Presidents
condition?
think he is 10 better to-day than yester-
day, and when l say he is no better it is about
equivileat to saying he is worse, because the
longer he goes in this way without positive
repair, the less become his chances of re.
covery,
Has he failed much this forenoon?
Not great deal since z o'clock. His time
of greatest depression is early in the morn
ing. 1t was SO yesterday morning and was
SO again this morning. After that he rallied
a little and his pulse fuctuated during the
forenoon between ITO and 118.
Does he realize his condition?
think he does, to certain extent. He has
inquired about his pulse and about the con-
ditlon of the infamed gland several times to-
day:
You do not think he has given up hope of
his own recovery?
1 don't think he has. He seemed more dis
couraged about himself this morning than
usual. think his discouragement had some
thing to do with his physical depression. His
mind seemed for time to react unfavorably
on his body.
Did he ask you how he was?
Yes, and Mrs. Garfield, and I gave him re-
assuring replies, that seemed to brace him up,
and he soon afterwards rallied.
What is the condition of his mind to-day?
His mind is absolutely clear.
Better than yesterday?
l. Much better; he understands everything
that is said to him to-day, and is cons cious of
what goes on about him.
What is the appearance of the parotid gland
to-day?
1t has not changed much
! Does in continue to discharge?
Yes, it discharges quite freely, think,
through the ear.
Are any of the other glands of the body af-
| fected?
| No, and there is no suppuration except in
the wound and the gland no where else.
| How does the wound look?
| Not quite SO well as heretofore. The gran
ulations were not perfect this morning as
they have hitherto been.
Has the character of the pus from the
wound changed?
Not materially. 1t perhaps indicates a
little more depletion of the system.
Has the slim chance of which you spoke
yesterday grown any narrower since then?
Yes; think it has. He has less chance to-
day to recover than he had yesterday. u
| You still hope for recovery?
Yes; 1 hope for it.
But what is your Judgment with regard
to it?
My belief is that the President cannot re-
cover. If it were not for the local trouble, 1
mean the condition of the parotid gland, he
might gain strength and make progress. but
1 don't see how the progress Of repair can
begin or go on in presence of that compli-
cation.
If there should be no improvement, how
long should the patient probably hold out?
think he might live TIVE or three days. l
don't think death will occur suddenly.
You say his mind to-day is absolutely clear.
Is it not probable his mental faculties will
fail before the end?
Yes, presume death will be preceded by g
period of Inconsistencies.
Have you advised Mrs. Garfield to send for
any other member of the family?
No, don't think that it is our place to
make that suggestion. Mrs. Garfield knows
perfectly well how the President is.
Has any one been admitted to the room to
see him yesterday or to-day, except the sur
geons and attendants?
No one, to my knowledge.
If death occurs will its approach be recog
nizable for any considerable time in advance
| think that it will. It is impossible to pre-
dict with certainty what course the case will
take, but 1 think it likely that if the wors
comes to the worst, the President will sinh
gradually and that we shall have some hourl
, warning of the coming of the end.
Conditions of the Crisis of the Case.