New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-26
CALIFORNIA FALLS INTO LINE.

SAN Francesca, Sept. 25.-The Governor
has issued his proclamation directing that Monday be
observed Il day OF public PRAYER and mourning In
! respect FOR the memory OF the late President
4 THE SURGEONS AND THE LATE PRESIDENT.
DIR. BLISS on TIE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF rREsI-
DENT GARFHLDs woUND-A REPLY TO SOME
CURRENT CRITICISMS.
4 WAsuNGToS, ID. c., Sept. 25.--The Post to-day
presented editorally number of questions bearing
upon the alleged question Of malpractice IN Pres-
lent Garteds case aud also to the truthfulncss
of the autopsy reported in tho bulletin from
1 Elberon. Dr. Bliss in an interview to-day takes up
I AMI replies TO them categorically AZ follows:
WELL the first question is, could not the course
of the ball and the injury inflicted by it have been
/ discovered by the exercise of proper medical
I skill"
AS tins Will be answered in the report of the gem
tlemen conducting the autopsy il would not be
proper for TO answer it.p
"H this could have been known in
{ the earliest stages of tho case, could
] not the burrowing of the pus, caused
by tho shattered rib, which formed pls sac nearly
4 twelve inches in length, have been prevented ?"
This is n part of the professional history which
was also revealed by tho autopsy and | must de-
cline TO answer IL alson
4 If tins could have been prevented, would not
the patient have been saved from blood poisoning p,
THE same conditions TO being answered by
me obtain In this as III the previous inteogatores"
Was the stomach properly treated 2"
THE greatest possible care was exercised in re-
gard to the functions of digestion and assimilation
The nourishments wero carefully prepared under
d the direction OF, or by, Of tho surgeons
III attendance, and during almost tho whole course
of the treatment were administered by one of them
At the first intmaton Of failure of the stomachIto
1periorm its functions it placed at phys-
illogical rest and resort was had 20 rectal ali
mentaton. This course pursued after a
careful study of the previous condition history
and habits Of the President and of such malades
rs he had previously suffered from. l believe the
manner in which he was sustained during the period
of seventynine days is the best answer as to the
course pursued"
"Wasthe best medical talent employed or was il
Intentionally driven away from the cnsef And
the Presidents wishes as to his mcdica attend
lance regarded or were they, the contrary, per-
sistentiy thwartedp
In reply to those questions, both of which in
volve the same answer may say that the verdict
of tho medical profession of the world upon the his
tory of the case its treatment and the pathological
conditions revealed at the autopsy will be my best
vindication. AS to the other gentlemen who
wero associated with mo as counsel, and
who with perfect unanimity sustained the diagno-
' sis, management and treatment, there can be but
one opinion. They stand preeminent In their pro-
fesson. and are men whose opinions will be taken
as the dicta Of modern surgery. They like myself,
will DO tried by their peers upon the facts and will
cheerfully submit to tho just Judgment of an en-
i lightened profession
"Now in regard to the wishes of the President; the
Secretary of War sent his carriage tor me immedi-
ately after the shooting. with message to cake
char re of the Presidents until further orders.
On arriving at the depot, was Immediately con-
Quoted to tho where the President was
! lying, and assumedH charge of the case,
feeling that was there By proper authority; The
! until the following Sunday morning The President
+ had fully reacted, had had several hours
. to attend to any ordinary business. when I
presented the matter of his professional attend
then explained to him fully the valuable profes-
sonal assistance the large number OF medical gem