The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-12-08
The Autopsy Upon the Body Of Presi.
dent Garfield.

VASdIN0XONs NOv0uU0r H1s
Acting Assistant Surgeon Lamb, who
performed the autopsy upon the body of
President Garfield, furnishes the following:
''There prevails to some extent an i'm
preston that the examination of the body
of the late President Garfield was careless
and hap-hazard one, without order or
method, and that the bullet was only found
by accident. This impression is entirely
incorrect The order of examination was
prearranged in a consultation held for the
purpose, and was carried out as far as the
developments Of the autopsy permitted. It
was necessary to ascertain the extent and
character Of the injury, and. II possible, to
obtain the missile. All things considered.
the only way in which these things could be
accomplished was by first opening the alb.
dominal cavity. Much has been said about
the bullet being found in basin, and the
statement has been industriously circulated
by prejudiced parties. The facts are as
follows:
"The search for the bullet was prosecuted
carefully, systematically and successfully,
and the latter is no small matter, In view of
the fact that in many post-mortem examina.
tions, even after careful, laborious and per-
sistent search, the missile has not been
found. 1t was first sought for near the
groin, where 1t was expected by some 1t
would be found. Failing to find 1t there
the pus channel was then followed up, but
this procedure made it necessary to re-
move the everything organs. These removed
parts were temporarily placed in q large
china wash bowl until they could be exam
ined in the order prescribed in the prelim-
mary consultation. The pus channel led up
to the fractured rib and vertebra. The posi-.
ton Of the opening of the exit Of the bullet
from the latter indicated possibility of its
further trace being in the hemorrhage clot
in the tissues removed. While the exami.
nation Of the vertebra was being made one
Of the surgeons assisting turned his atten-
tton to the parts removed and discovered
there the position Of the bullet. There was
nothing at all OF the nature Of accident in
the manner in which it was found. 1t had
formed for itself cyst wall beneath the
pancreas. After completing the examina.
ton Of the vertebra, cut the cyst open.
and took the bullet out Of it. It had been
suggested by some that, after the removal
Of the parts from the body, their relations
could no longer DO recognized. Ihis dim.
Guilty could only occur to one who was un.
familiar with anatomy.
mo formal reply has yet been made to the
many unjust and often senseless criticisms
which have been 30 freely bestowed upon
this autopsy. had expected that . complete
exposition Of the points criticised would
have been made In the course Of the tee.
timonv Of the medical witnesses. But with
one exception they were afforded NO oppor-
tunity, and the gentleman excepted ina,i.
vertently omitted some Of the particulars
related above. believe. therefore, the
public should be made acquainted with the
facts, In order that It may mot either mis-.
Judge the surgeons, or suppose the autopsy
was Incomplete, Or was improperly conduct
ed. d. s. LAMB,
sActing Assistant Surgeon"