New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-05
THE PRESIDENTS CHANCES.

WHAT DIR. HAMILTON WHO VISITED HIM YESTERDAY
SAYS or HIS CONDITION.
ID. j. III. Hamilton, who went TO Washington
Sunday night ut the request of Secretary Blaine to
consult with fhr physicians in attendance npun the
President rctur od at 1870 last night. In response
to the inquiries OF a TRIBUNE reporter he said
"WheE | left the White House nj , o'clock this
afternoon the President worse Than when
arrived there at $50 in the morning. There was no
evidence that he sinking or any 10 lead to a
suspicion that he was. He vomittcd little in the
morning, the yomt being OF Crcensh color but in
the last three or four hours there much less.
The greatest Of suffering has been the pain IN
his feet and legs and. indeed, this has been
the only source. In the forenoon that abatcd
very materially. He appears bright and cheerful
and Is prompt to answer any questions lie turned
over without aid III bed 10 have Lis back examined.
lie SAID that tine cXeriion OF turning over did not
hurt him. He remained in that position twenty
minutes which accelerated his pulse somewhat.
Ail these symptoms are not Of the highest degree
OF gravity and do not Of themselves necessarily in
dicatc fatal issue. When we take them in con-
nccticn with the fact that the bail seems to have
penetrated the liver and to remain in the
cavity of the belly and beyond the reach of dctcc
ton. the symptoms may be fairly interpreted
leading to n grave pr"gnoss. The progress of
the inflammation is limited and it al, ances very
slowly. His temperature is nearly normal, the
pulse not greatly acceic:ated."
DR.. Hamilton said further that tymparites
of the results of inflammation. II was
sometimes induced by morphine. and in the
present case it difficult to determine whether il
was due 10 that When there is foreign body in
the inestinos they could not fully perform
their functions, not being able to assmilate food
and were then subject to paralysis. Swelling
blowing was significant unless attributed to
phinc.
hat do of he of
Sims that an incision shonld DO made and the ball
cxtractcdf
1t would not do. He deals with ovarian tumors
He knows where they are and il skilful in cutting
them ont. But in this the ball is in the
cavity of the belly, nobody knows where. and
is liable to change its positions constantly from one
position to another. If incsion had been made i'm
mediately it could have been dono with safety,
but now since there is inflammation 1t would be abb
soutely fatal"
'To what extent has inflammation set inp
" 1t does not extend to much larger sur
face than the palm of your hand, and is
of course adjacent tn tho ball. IL il as yet very
slight, and is making very slow advance.
This of course, is greatly in the patients
favor. Peritonitis is inevitable in any case.
whether the patient RECEIVERS OF not
and 50 the setting in of inflammation was expected.
' sSs1's S S as %
work it's way out to the surface
by snppuration or into an intestine and by this
means he carried ont through the anus"
" Is there any foundation for the apprehension
that the President will die fore morning -
II think not" Even if there should he q rapid
advance of peritonitis it would take some time be-
fore it would reach point to cause death. All OF
my opinions, il should be- remembered, are made ON
the basis of the Presidents condition when left his
bedside in the afternoon"
In conclusion DR.. Hamilton said that he con;
been ab l"''' and otlicent, but in fact