New-York tribune., 1881-08-10

PRESIDENT GARFIELD.

.,ou,o,y THE CONSULTING SURGEONS AT TiiEih
UoMEs-TnE PRESIDENT WRITES HIS NAME
The Presidents physicians said yes'eluaS
that his condition. under the circums'sihces'
was very satisfactory. The objects oi 'ne
second operation were regarded as having been
fully secured and the drainage tube has been
d;snensed with, to the relief OF the patient.
The febrile symptoms are expected to last
until Thursday DR.. Agnew, deemlng MS |
presence no longer necessary, went to fhla-
delphia in the afternoon. Secretary Blame Is
preparing to GO to Maine. The President yes
terdav wrote his name in clear characters ana
without much of an effort.
GOOD EFFECTS OF THE OPERATION.
THE DRAINAGE TUBE DISPENSED WITH AND oNE'scb-
JECT OF ANNOYANCE REMovED-rHE PREsi-
DENTS CONDITION REGARDED AS SATISFACTORY
DIR AGNew RETURNS HoME-SECRErARf
BLAINE PREPARING TO GO TO MAINE
10y TELEGRAPH THE THtBUNE''
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-One of the best eiiec's VI
the operation performrd by the Pres'dent phSsi
clans ON Monday has been the establishment OF
free discharge from the wound without the use OF
drainage tube No such tube has been in the wound
since Sunday. The patient seemed somuch more
comfortable Sunday night without the annoy
once of tube that it was suggested that the same
experiment be tried again last night, Accordingly
no tube was inserted after last nights dressing,
considering the circumstances of the preceding day.
70 keen the new aperture from closing dressing OF
fine lint was used and the physicians awaited with
curosty though not anxiety the effect ON the DIS
charge of pus.
The fever subsidized only partially during the
night but morning found the President refreshed by
sleep and the outward indications less annoying
than last evening When the dressings were re-
moved from the wound the lint was found to be
Thoroughly saturated with pus and when this was
removed the flow copions and in every way sat-
isfactory The discharge came almost entirely
through the counter opening less than an ounce OF
nus being taken from the channel above the rib.
The excellent working of the naked channel was
welcome evidence to the physicians that the chief
object of the incision had been accomplished.
The next difficulty to be surmounted was the
fever consequent upon the irritation attending the
operation. 1t subsidized so slowly dur ng the night
that outsiders feared complication had
ensued but the physicians reassured all inquirers.
Secretary Blaine called early at the White House ;
he did not seem greatly annoyed by the condition
of the patient. He said he had not expected very
low temperature this morning. DR.. Agnew had
prepared him for the discovery that the progress
during the night had been slow. The Doctor had
said that he expected high pulsation and tempera-
ture to-day and possibly tomorrow, but that he
should be disappointed if the fever did
not disappear by Thursday. Secretary
the President was no worse tomorrow he should
start with his family for the coast of Maine. He
intends, however, to make arrangements for imme-
diate recall in case OF danger To the President.
The patient was not raised up in bed to-day. as
usual, but was allowed to lie prone. In this posi-
ton he suffered no discomfort and rested fully as
much as desirable. Before noon he had taken
at least fourteen ounces of liquid nourishment.
This consisted of kouniss and of lime water and
milk. He also took plenty of nourlshment in the
afternoon, and had trouble in retaining it
There has been no evidence of gastric
disturbance since yesterday afternoon. Those
kyho spent part of the time in the sick room
say that there has been a marked Improvement II
the general appearance of the patient to-day. DIR
ReyUurn stated at p. m. that the President hat
not been excessively weakened by the operation
His attention was called to reports of wild rumor
in different parts OF the country in regard to The
Presidents condition. One of these was that tht
President sinking from sheer exhaustion DR.
Reyburn said that that was all nonsense. The Pres
ident was stronger to-day than yesterday and hi
general condition better than last week.
Alarming reports gained credence here. TIL
best bulletin that could have been issued tn
announcement that Dr. Agnew had decided to &
home. The eminent surgeon expressed himself T.
the members of the Presidents household as vel
satisfied with the effect of the operation. He re
manned near the patient all the mornpg, and find
ing at noon that all was going well, telegraphed t
his wife that he would start for home at 2 p. N
The dressings were not removed from the wound a
noon so that DIR. Agnew had no further evdenc
than the morning discovery of the favorable pre-
gress of the discharge All are agreed that he woul
not desert the field in time Of danger; hence ger
eral feeling of reinsurance.
DIR. Hamilton is not expected until Thursda
morning and DR.. Agnew will probably not retur
before Sunday.
In the afternoon the President enjoyed two
three comfortable maps and appeared more refreshe
after each awakening At one time while he w;
lying quietly Dr. Bliss handed him pencil and pa
and said, Let's see how well you can write yoi
name" The President took the pad in his left han
and with the other wrote "James A. CARTEL
August 8, 1881" The operation was not difficu
one and, said one who saw it, the writing locke
PLAIN and regular as if a we'll man had write
it," The paper was given by Dr. Bliss to ex-Vic
President Colfax, who called to-day and who desire
to keep il a memento
No solid food was administered to-day, but {
nOurlshment taken is deemed adequate to all d
mands on the patients system. The evening dressi
revealed continued favorable flow of pus, and OF
ward conditions no worse than last evening. T
febre rise reached its height at O'Clock, and b
begun to snbside when the evening examination "
made. The President prepared for the mig
without the use of morphia tonight, and had go
quietly TO sleep at O'clock Several members
the Cabinet and General Sherman spent an hour
so at the White House this evening, and all retir
with full assurance of brighter day tomorrow.
Dr: Bliss said late tins evening that the Pre-