New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-18
THE PRESIDENT BETTER.

PERII,-FOoD ADMINISTERED NATURALLY IN
SMALL QUANTITIES AND RErAiNEp-ihN M roi-'h
LOWER AND THE WHOLE TONE OF THE PATIENT
srTrrR-TnE PHYSICIANS ENCoUnAGED-sYM-
lATHY FROM THE QUEEN.
The condition of President Garfield yesterday
and last evening was such as TO encourage the
hope Of his recovery. Food was administered
several times in the natural way, and it was
retained upon his stomach. His pulse was lower
and stronger, and the whole tone OF the pa
tient was better than for two or three days.
The wound was in good condition and is heal
ing. DR.. Bliss said he thought the crisis had
passed, and that the President was again on
the road to recovery. Queen Victoria sent q
kindly message of sympathy to Mrs. Garfield.
HOPE GROWING STRONGER AND BRIGHTER.
THE PATIENTS STOMACH REsUMING ITS FUNCTIONS
FOOD ADMINISTERED IN THE NATURAL WAY
AND RETAINED-TTIE Pulse LowER-THE PR s.
IDENr LOOKING AND FEELING BETTER - DIR.
BLISS SAYS CRISIS HAS PASSED - THE
WOUND DOING WELL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlDUNE.i
WAsHINGroN, Aug. 17.-Ihe hopes of last night
have grown brighter The Presidents stomach has
resumed its functions and the anxious watchers
have resumed their chcerfuness. 1t takes but lit
tie 10 make the Presidents attendants and friends
happy at this time, and indeed 1t is little they have
to rejoice over, judged in the abstract, but as
hunger is the most appeti2ing of sauces for plain
meal, so the absence of hope makes the coming of
a single favorable symptom cause of profound re-
joicng.
The morning bulletin was ii good one with the
single exception Of the figures representing the
Presidents tempera ture. The Attorney Genera and
the POstmaster-Generai met at the White House
shortly after the bulletin made its ap-
pcarance. to question the doctors. Mr.. James,
who oonversed WITH Dr. Bliss, went to his
office feeling greatly encouraged. Mr.. MacVeagh,
VINO conversed with DR.. Acnew, also received in
formation which led him to believe that there were
fla grounds for hope.
The President himself had said that he felt better
When he awoke he was spOnged Of and his linen
changed, He then said to his doctor that he
felt as if he could eat something. "What do YOU
feel that you would ike 10 eat % was asked. The
President reflected for moment and said "Nell
perhaps l had better take q glass of water
aud wait awhile" The water was given him and he
fell asleep.
Surgeon-Geueral Barnes said to a friend who
asked him in the forenoon for his opinion of the
Presidents chances, that while there was reason to
hope, yet the test of the stomach was anxiousiy
awaited. 1t would como sometime in the day
when they would administer 8 teaspoonfu of
Llebig's Extract OF Beef General Barnes is con-
servatIve and man of few words. and his words of
hope, few they were, inspired his ouestioner
with belief shat better tdings would not long be
delayed.
The noon bulletin was Enthusiastically hopeful
more so in its figures that in its general feat
ures, and 1t after its issuance that cheerfulness
began to be manifested in the faces and demeanor of
the attendants
Dr. Bliss left the White House about 2 o'clock
and was met by TRIBUNE correspondent as he
wasentering his carriage. lie was smiling in every
feature and his greeting was more hearty than it
had been for a week. He had the appearance of a
man who had recently been relieved of heavy
weight Of responsibility.
Doctor you are looking very well pleased about
something" remarked
Have not cause to be Z"
What is the condition of affairs upstairs ?"
The President has been able to retain food in his
stomach"
"When 3"
just now we gave him drachm of beef cx-
tract at 1910 and again at 1;45 and he has re-
tainedit all. He went to sleep Immediately after
each experiment."
And has there been no nausea 2"
"NOne at ALP
"DoctOr, see you say that the President has had
no blister plaster on his stomach Now had for
nation from an excellent source that he did have TO
wear such plaster a counter-irritant. What is
the explanation 20
Stick to the doctors young man. You cannot
trust even che best outside authorities In these nro
5essional matters IL n spice plaster not a
blister plaster, and we placed it upon his stomach
not to create irritation but to relieve the
nausea"
Has there been any evidence of pyemiaYo ~
None whatever. Our critics make their
dlasuc Ses and prognoSes upon newspaper
reports alone. and they seem to Sc
lect the sensational newspapers chiefly as their
sources of information. They don't take into ac-
count that physicians who arc constantly in the
presence of the patient have other and better
grounds upon which to base their judgment: and
II they are competent-Wh.ch must be admitted in
respect to some of ms, at least--they would not
make the mistake with winch they are so fsely
charged. There is not the slightest eyidcrce of
blood poisoning, and upon this point we arc ALI
agreed"
Tho Presidents pulSe has fallen considerably
@ snce the noon bulletin" continued the doctor.
ieat bulletin expresses less in his favor than we are
inclined to believe"
" How much mas the pulse fallenf"
Wen that won't say. We shall have another
ilse Tonight and il is just as well that we do not
Peint the picture with the brightest colors Just
now
After the evening Bulletin was issued DR.. Bliss
was found in his Office
'ho PRESIDENT continues to improve during
'n' 'isht ana Is better tomorrow morning I sup
pose yon ~i say, Doctor, that he is ON q new rood
torec"Very !" queried his visitor
say that now" replied Dr. Bliss eve think
nov mat the crisis is passed aud that there is
iVr ne" hope The stomach is resuminp its fnuc-
't'IS' We nave given INN two tablespoonfuIs of
vol" extract of beef at intervals of ,o,netbing ls
1an '"o hours' and be has retained them He has
u''' retained considerable quantity of
va. iet IL is only short time aeo