The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-07-14
Very Slowly, but Grad
ually,
Seems to Be the Condition of the
President,
And the Executive Mansion Presents
a More Cheerful Aspect.
A Belief that the Liver Has not Been
Seriously Injured.
Oplnions Of Eminent Ply ysicians and Sur
geOns.

The Fourth was dreary day indeed 1cr CUT
Republic. Festivities were in great measure
suspended everywhere and in some localities
there was no observance whatever, or if any
demonstration was held at all, it was with the
view to giving expression to feelings of sy11i-
pathy and coincidence.
During the early part of the night (July 4)
the symptoms of the President beeaitie alarm
ing, and 1t was feared he would not last till
morning, but later he fell asleep and rested
moderately well, considering the pain he must
necessarily have been enduring. His longest
sleep was of two hours duration.
DR.. Agnew, of Philadelphia, who watched at
the Presidents bedside during the night, was
of the opinion that the greatest danger was to
be apprehended from peritonitis. The tym-
panites had disappeared and there had been no
vomiting during the night.
Says bulletin from Washington, sent out
at q. fn., July g.: a.
'Surgeon General Barnes, after seeing the
President, expresses much satisfaction over his
condition. To use his own words, the situa-
ton is glorious The President says he is of
strong heart
The 9Th opened very hot, but with all the
improvements reported, great fears from in
fiammation were entertained. Still the fact
that he grew no worse by the middle OF the
forenoon wns decidedly encouraging.
There is at this writing something of q
pointer respecting the cause leading to the
commission of this most foul OF all deeds. 1t
has been ascertained that Guiteau, during the
past few weeks, has received money
orders from some person in New York
City. The amounts were not large,
still they were ordinary for man of Guitaeu's
demands. The matter will be thoroughly
sifted.
Respecting wounds in the liver, Snrgeon-
General Barnes, the most eminent authority in
America, says: 'From my experience in war,
have abundant proof that injuries to the liv-
er, either by stab or gunshot are not necessarily
fatal although dangerous. Authors who usrl-
ally forbid the exploration of wounds of the
abdomen sanction an extraordinary latitude
In incisions for the purpose of removing foreign
bodies from the liver. 1t is practised extensively
by French and German students, it having been
recommended by Ledrau and Messbaur, who
are sustained by Percy. remember that
about sixty-two cases Of recovery from shot
wounds of the liver during the war came under
my observation, and about one-half of these
were further complicated by LESSONS of other
years of age was shot in the back, the ball
passing through the liver and emerging from
the abdomen. He recovered in less than
month. Twas so interested in the case that I
looked over the pension list to see if he had
applied for q pension, but his name
was not on the list, so it might
be presumed that he recovered fully
The Surgeon General mentions a number
of other instances of recovery of persons
wounded after this manner.
So far the physicians do not know where the
ball has lodged. They have diagnosed the case
that the ball is in the liver and it probably is.
The fact that the President rallies is no indica-
ton that further very unfavorable symptoms
t4x< <ho cal A.,
after the commission of the crime, the symp-
tons became 80 much more favorable that his
recovery was looked upon very hopeful.
There were three dangers yet ahead. One from
abscess in the liver, and a third from blood
poisoning. Either of these alternates might
prove fatal. Again, the weather has been de-
cidedly against the patient. When night comes
there is but little oxygen, and scarcely any vital
ity in the air. This, of course, has depress-
ing effect, and the physicians fully realized the
Importance of counteracting it in some way,
and for this reason telegrapbed to Boston for
the best refrigerator appliances.
The public mind had better strike, for its
own satisfaction, happy mean between the
too favorable and less hopeful reports. 1t is
natural that the attending physicians should
almost clutch at straw. This they do.
DR.. Agnew, the eminent surgeon of Phila-
delphia, says that the kidneys and intestines
are entirely uninjured, and capable of per-
| forming their functions. The liver is lacer-
ated to some extent, and the large nerves
| leading from the spine to the lower extremi-
ties have been SO injured as to cause the pain
| which the President referred to in his feet.
| The stomach, however, retains nourishment
| and the patient is slowly gathering strength to
meet the secondary Inflammation when it
| occurs. As yet there is little evidence OF II,
and nothing to indicate that 1t will DO of ex-
traordinary extent or severity. DIR. Agnew re-
CARDS tho Presidents condition with much
| hopefulness.
| The Western associated Press Agent called
upon Attorney General Macveagh and asked
II he would give out for publication the papers
and documents taken from Guiteau when ar
rested.
| /" Not yet," replied the Attorney General.
Just as soon as the Presidents condition is
| such as to give us chance to get at business,
| We will let those papers out. Within twenty
-four hours after the great anxiety under which
we All labor is removed by the assurance Of
asettled Improvement In the President, think
! we can let those papers out" ef Oh
| Are the papers very important, General p
! Not at all. There is really nothing Of any