Morris tribune., 1881-08-11
That was the Feeling Yesterday Among
the Occupants and Visitors at
the White House.
The Presidents High Fever of Saturday
Continued Uninterruptedly Through
the Night and Yesterday.
Every Indication that Another Pus
Cavity is Forming, and that an
Operation will be Necessary.
Although the Physicians reny That
They Intend to Pursue Such Course
Unless New Causes Arise.

The Physicians Intend to Make Thor
0ugh Examination this Morning and
Determine the Cause Of Fever.
They are Fully Prepared for any Emer-
gency That May Arise-The Presi-
dent Sleeping at Midnight.
THE PRESIDENTS CONDITION..
NOT PROGRESSING RAPIDLY.
Special Telegram to the Pioneer Press.
WASHINGTON, Aug. THE president has
not been progressing as rapidly toward re-
covery to-day as usual. His temperature
and pulse have shown a strong inclination to
rise on every slight provocation, and last night
showed peculiar fluctuations. He has shown
strong disposition to fever all day, and about
1890 p. M, his pulse rose to 1O4 and his
temperature to 100. The doctors were in no
way alarmed, but showed by an apparently
serious feeling over the condition of
affairs that they were not entirely
satisfied with the case Dr. Hamilton was 60
ing home tonight, but concluded to remain
until to- morrow, when a consultation will be
held The presid ent's physical conditions re-
tanned their high point all the afternoon, and at
p. IN. the pulse stood at 1O4, temperature at
1912, and respiration at 20. His case has
caused him no inconvenience, however. and he
has taken considerable nourishment and num-
Der of maps during the day.
THE SERIOUS ASPECT
of the physicians during the day has caused
numerous rumors, among which that to the
effect that another operation was to be per-
formed was the most prominent DR.. Bliss
said tonight that no operation was intended.
It is the belief of the physicians, however, that
another pus pocket is forming, and they are
making every preparation to relieve it as soon
as it has sufficiently declared itself. should
such prove the case. 1t is acknowledged
to be probable that there is collection of pus
in the vicinity of the ball where the wound may
have to be relieved, but up to this time there
is no can for alarm, as the fever may be but
an eccentric fiuctuaton of the case of no seri-
GUS consequence. Should the fever continue
through the night there is on the other hand,
reason to believe that another pus cavity has
| TO, med and will require radical treatment
Without doubt an attempt will
be made early to morrow by
stock operators to set the usual alarm incident
| to slight change for the worse in the case,
but the physicians will take pains by an early
bulletin to place the true state of affairs before
the people. The president went to sleep quite
early this evening, seemingly not at all incon-
venienced by his high pulse and temperature.
AT MIDNIGHT
there is still good deal of anxious discussion
of the presidents case about the streets, and
many rumors are af1oat but the physicians are
as close -mouthed as statues, and made only
the general assertion that they are not uneasy,
and that there is no cause for alarm. Still 1t
seems to be established beyond dis
pute that the younger DR.. Bliss
was at the shop of an Italian knife
grinder this afternoon, having some instru-
gists say thata messenger from the physicians
was all around trying to procure some rigcr-
line 1t is expected that the rigorline is a very
powerful antiseptic prepared from petroleum,
and is used as spray upon the parts in sur
gical operation, making the flesh
hard and an incision painless.
Secretary Blaine left the White House at IL
o'clock, and reports that the doctors told him
that there was no pus cavity apparent any
where and that they knew of no cause for the
high temperature except the heat and fatigue
of Yesterday. 1t is reported tonight that a
tube was thrust into the wound over foot
and showed that the course of the ball had
been curved shaped, and that the track was
not closed anywhere, SO far, at least.
WHAT THE PHYSICIANS FEAR
is the healing of the wound at some point be-
tween the ball and the opening, so as to con-
fine the pus at the lower end of the track.
The bullet of one of the cartridges was exam.
ined to-day as to hardness 1t was found to
be what Is known as soft lead bullet, without
antimony to harden it. In fact, it was SO soft
as to be easily cut with the finger nail. 1t is
argued from this that when the bullet struck
the rib with such force as to crush it it
was badly fattened, so as to expose
| sharp jagged ends. This is believed to ac-
count for its failure to encyst. as the muscular
contractions incident to the slightest motion of
| the body will cause it to move and prevent the
encysting process.
Secretary Blaine reports that the doctors say
| they do not intend to cut into the bullet to-
| morrow, but it is firmly believed generally
that some kind of an operation is contemplated
provided the unfavorable symptoms continue
| The records show this to be the worst day ac-
| cording to the three bulletins, for twenty-four
| days.
TIE FEVER CONTINUES.
WASHINGTON, Aug. THE day at the ex-
ecutive mansion has probably been the quiet
| est since the president was wounded. There
was some comment about the city regarding
| the information contained in the morning bull
letins, the language Of which was that the
| ''president this morning is in good condition,
although the effects of the febrile disturbance
of yesterday are still slightly perceptible in
pulse and temperature" This was construed
| by many persons as indicative of unfavorable
| syHptoWs, uus tue Seuofal puuic accSpeou ~
as reassuring and consequently there
were few inquiries at the executive
mansion during the day. At 1890
p M, when the wound was dressed, the pulse
was 1O4, temperature 100, respiration 20.
The fact that fever existed at this hour was
not generally known, inasrhuch as there was
no bulletin issued, information being privately
obtained from the attending surgeons. who,
while admitting that the
FEVER HAS CONTINUED ALL DAY,
as is shown by every bulletin, do not appear
inclined to talk any more than is necessary on