Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-18

WASHINGTON, August II

Executive Mansion-To-day has been a
much more favorable one than yesterday.
general feeling of reinsurance has been
growing. The interest of to-day has CEN
tered upon the condition of the Presidents
stomach from time to time, and great encour-
agement has been derived from the fact that
nourishment taken naturally by the Presi-
dent has been retained. When it was decid-
ed to give the President the coalul infusion
of beef, DIR. Bliss informed him of the pur-
pose and he seemed perfectly willing to take
it. After the first quantity was taken the
patient showed signs of improvement, his
pulse becoming more firm and regular, while
it was considerably less frequent being as
low as LOG at one time. This improvement
continued from 1915 P. NJ, when the second
was administered. After taking the noursh-
ment the patient slept calmly on both occa-
sions. He awoke after the first nap without
experiencing any annoyance from irritability
or weak condition of the stomach, but when
he awoke the second time he remarked to
the surgeons that he tasted the liquid and
this time he barely escaped being nauseated,
and symptoms showed that the stoma oh
would not bear anything further to-day.
One of the nurses explained the situation
by saying, II sponged the President quickly,
and told him not to think of his stomach and
he would be all right This suggestion it
appears. was complied with. and the distur-
bance passed away and no vomiting occurred
DIR. Bliss says it was then Determined it
would be best not to attempt the administra-
ton of any nOurishment except by means en-
emata for the present. The hope of the night
is founded upon the action of the patients
stomach; and as it gains strength confidence
in his recovery increases, and Wei versa
Hon. Marshall Jewell called at the Mansion
this evening, and requested to be permitted
to see Mrs. Garfield. The request was grant,
ed, and, after returning from the private
quarters, the gentleman said he had told the
lady of his intention of leaving the city in the
morning, and that before starting he felt as if
he would like to hear some encouraging news,
and asked the real condition of the President
Mrs. Garfield responded to .his question "Do
you think he is a little BETTER with ''Indeed
do; know it," The reply, the gentleman
says, was emphasized and carried reassur-
ance with it. During the course of CONVEX
satiOn in the evening. Secretary Blaine said
he was in Augusta when he first heard of the
unfavorable change in the Presidents condi-
ton, but that the information conveyed did
not indicate cause for alarm.
The reason why Secretary Blaine was not
heard from before his arrival, was because
he did not deem it necessary to announce his
coming. The Secretary felt more hopeful
on his arrival than he had expected he should
before he reached the city, and while he adj
mitted the gravity of the situation he thouobt
there was decidedly good reason for better
reports from the sick room in the near future
In conversation with one o. the Presidents
immediate attendants to-day, the subject of
his general condition was referred to. where.
upon the attendant remarked: CONTRARY To
the general impression regarding the Presi
n~eea
question, great deal of vitality vet and
cannot justly be said to be extremely feeble +"
prominent surgeon said tonight he had
been very Respondent for ten DAYS preyious
to the recent elapse, but when the condition
OF the wound had been fully explained after
the irritability of the stomach had asserted
Itself, he felt that too much attention had
been paid to the wound at the expense of the
stomach. and now that the surgeons had die.
covered this weakness, he anticipated that
great care would be exercised over the no.
tents in the future, and all will be we'll
The gentleman said his dependency had
been turned into actual hope,
Before the Mansion had been closed for |
the night. DR.. Bliss was asked if there would
De any more nourishment administered natur-
ally tonight. mo, not until tomorrow
ne said. We have made the experiment and |
are satisned that the tone of the Presidents |
stomach has been improved by it. He said
N reply to further information, that every
1nihe mad been progressing finely since the
evening dressing, that the patient had been
ssleep nearly all the time since the evening
dressing had occurred, and that no mornb;e
had been administered to-day.
niie All the information obtainable il of
!. favorable Character, and shows rapidly the
increasing opinion that the patient will
rally, there 10 no doubt but that he ia In
critical condition, and should his stom.ch
become lErifsted in the least degree, the ont.