The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-08
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS.
ITO P. MI


The day at the Executive Mansion has
probably been the most quiet of any since the
President was wounded. There was some
comment about the city regarding the inform
alton contained in the morning bulletin, the
language of which was that the President
"this morning is in good condition although
the effects of the febrle disturbance of yester-
day are still slightly perceptible in the pulse
and temperature" Many persons construed
this sentence as indicative of unfavorable
symptoms but the general public accepted it as
re-assuring and consequently there have been
few inquiries at the Mansion during the day.
At 1890 D. m. when the Presidents wou nd
was dressed his pulse was 1O4, temperature
100, respiration 20. The fact that the fever
existed at this hour was not generally known
inasmuch as there was no bulletin issued, in
formation being privately obtained from the
attending surgeons The surgeons, while adj
hitting that fever has continued all day as is
shown by the evening bulletin, do not appear
to desire to converse any more than neceSSa ry
on the subject thereby leaving the public to
form its own conclusion as to the cause of the
continued high pulse and temperature. It is
intimated there are indication of the formation
of another pus cavity, but its direct location
has not been ascertained.
Prof. Bell being absent from tins city, his as :
sistant, Mr.. Taintor, was called to the Man
sion late this afternoon to consult with tho at
tending surgeons regarding the use of the cleo
trio probe and he was requested to bring two
cells of the battery to the Mansion tomorrow
morning. Should it be determined to use the
instrument at this time it will probably be for
the purpose OF ascertaining the exact course of
the wound from the surface of the body to the
spot where the ball is lodged and if possible
to discover whether there is pus cavity and if
so, its exact location. 1t is understood the
surgeons desire to procure perfect diagram
of the wound, and it is therefore probable that
the electric probe may be used for the purpose
The insertion of the tube is said to be rather
trying operation. DR.: Hamilton, who was to
have left the city this afternoon, still remains
and all the attending surgeons and two con-
sultlng surgeons were present at the evening
dressing.
During the afternoon gentleman from DR..
Bliss's office was seen near cutlery establish
ment and in explanation OF his presence in the
locality of the store said he had brought
some surgical instruments which the
doctor desired to have sharpened While
those indications are not necessarily conclusive
of the contemplation of an operation upon the
President they at least prove that the surgeons
are preparing for any emergency which may
arise. In conversation tonight Or. Bliss
spoke very encouraging about the patient,
saying he was resting comfortably and had
expressed himself in general way as feeling
as well as usual.
In reply to question regarding Tain
tors presence at the Mansion this afternoon
the doctor said he (Bliss) had several electric
and he had requested Taintor to furnish him
with some of the battery for the purpose of
adjusting the instru ments.
This the doctor explained as a pre-
cautIonary measure saying it might be desir-
able to use the instruments sooner or later.
When asked the cause of the continued high
pulse and temperature the doctor replied: SIT
may be caused by tardy flow of pus, but we
haven't yet discovered it. The discharge con-
tinues perfectly healthy and is apparently
free," The doctor said further that there was
no indication of the formation of pus cavity
and nothing to warrant the supposition that
another operation would be necessary. He also
repeated the assertion that the ball would not
be cut out unless it should be found to be Co
Ing the patient harm.
The doctor upon further questioning regard
ing the high pulse and temperature said it
was possibly due to the extremely het weather.
Concluding the doctor said; "We will proba.
bly, know more about the matter in the morn
ing.''
lib P. NJ
The President is now sleeping quietly with
out morphia. His pulse is SO. TIE Mansion
has been closed for the night.