Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-06
A Serious Dispute mOng the Doctors

a special dispatch to the Baltimore
Sun says: "a serious and unfortunate
difficulty has arisen between members of
the medical profession in reference to
the Presidents case, involving primarily
questions of professional etiquette and
courtesy, but including also charges of
incompetency and malpractice. The
following have been ascertained to be the
facts: When the President was shot Drs.
Townsend and Purvis were the first to
reach him. Afterwards DR.. Bliss ar
rived and at once took charge of the
case. The President was placed on an
ambulance and driven up the avenue to
the White House at full gallop. On
reaching the White House, he was
permitted to lie with his clothes on
until after four o'clock in the
afternoon, some hours after he was
wounded. 1t is alleged also that no
proper effort was made to stop the flow
of blood for long time. But this is
not substantiated. Dr. Bliss, it is fur.
Their stated, selected an advisory board
of physicians without consulting DR..
Townsend. To-day he address, a let
ter to DR.. Townsend informing him
that, by direction of the Presid mt, his
services were no longer needed. Mem
bers of the profession assert that it was
a gross beach of professional etiquette
for DR.. Bliss to assume charge
that DR. Townsend being the
first to arrive was entitled
to the charge until the President re-
quested otherwise, which, it is claimed,
is not the case, but that DR.. Bliss has
been acting entirely on his own volition.
Members of the profession also say that
it was carelessness to put man in the
condition of the President in a wagon to
be shaken and jolted for mile; that he
should have been placed on a stretcher
and carried by hand. Comment is also
very severe on the fact Of the President
not having been undressed and put com
fortably in bed Immediately on arrival
at the White House.
This morning DR.. Baxter. whohas been
the personal physician of Gen. Garfield,
and who was out of town yesterday, re-
turned to the city and went at once to
the White House. He was met by Dr.
Bliss, and it is stated violent scene en-
sued between them. DR.. Bliss said DR..
Baxter should not see the President DR..
Baxter then asked that the President be
notified that he had arrived in the city,
and then if he preferred DR.. Bliss to re-
main in attendancehe (BaXter) would
withdraw and say no more about it. DR..
Bliss, it is said declined to tell the Presi
dent, and accused Baxter of trying to
take the case from him. Baxter retorted
with considerable asperity and then left.
"a member of the Cabinet afterwards
communicated to the President the fact
of DIR. Bakers arrival, and also showed
the President the letter written by DR..
Bliss to DR.. Townsend. Baxter claims
that, according to professional etiquette,
Bliss had no right in the first place to as
sumo charge, and that he, on arriving in
the city, was entitled to assume charge
unless the President requested otherwise.
He says openly that if the President
remains in charge of Bliss he
will not be properly treated. Mrs.
Garfield has, since her arrival, expressed
dissatisfaction with the treatment. DR..
Bliss, however, possesses the confidence
of many people as an able and expert
enC6u surgeon. however JnlS unIOrJu-
nate complication results it is sincerely
hoped the President will not suffer. DIR.
Bliss also sent letters of dismissal to sew
eral of the other physicians who have
been associated in the case, including
Surgeon General Wales, of the navy. In
consequence of the anxiety of those near
to the President, and at their request,
DR.. Bliss has telegraphed for DR.. Ham
mOnd, of New York, and DR.. Agnew,
of Philadelphia"