Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-27

to afford relief, has not thus far answered tht
expectations The Symptoms of the patient
continue to be urgent and alarming, and III
seems to be gradually sinking.
DR.. Bliss came out at lao and made the FOL
lowing replies:
What do you think of the condition OF the
President this afternoon?
His condition Is very critical.
Would you call it alarming?
You may say alarming If you choose.
Is it worse than at any time heretofore?
1t is as bad as at any time heretofore Not
entirely hopeless, you understand, but very
grave. :,
Does he continue to take nourishmenti
Yes, about the same as yesterday. We have
also resumed the administration of enemata.
His system seems to bear them well, and stim-
ulants can be given in that way better than
| through the mouth.
| Do you mean alcoholic stimulants?
| Yes, whisky.
| What is the present condition of the swol-
| len parotid gland?
So far as we know, about the same. In or
| der not to disturb him unnecessarily, we did
not take the wrapping off this noon.
Is the danger now to be apprehended that
| of acute blood poisoning from pus in the
glands?
No, do not think there is much danger of
that now He is more likely to die from ex-
| haustion. 1t is question of his ability to
hold out, if the present condition OF things
continue.
Has there been any recurrence of delirium
to-day?
Very little. Mrs. Garfield, who is with
him all the time, says she noticed it only once
this morning, and then to trifing extent.
His mind, Yon think then, is clearer than
last night?
Decidedly so. He talks rationaly-not a
great deal, it is true, but little, and is con-
scious of what is going on around him.
Is the mental disturbance attributable either
to the condition of the swelling gland or to
the absorption of pus into the blood, or to
any vitiated production of suppuration
thereby?
No, think not 1t is due, l presume, to
an oenic condition of the brain. The brain is
not properly nourished, and is one of the eff
fects of exhaustion.
The fact, then, that his mind is clearer and
more active to-day than yesterday is favor
able symptom?
$50 far as it goes, yes"
"Has the PATIENTS pulse been higher at any
time to-day than it was when the examination
was made for the noon bulletin?"
"No, l think not. OF course every time
we move or disturb him the rate of the pulse
is accelerated. But we do not always take it
at such times and might not notice transient
uuCGudblOu. lut IdIc given III IuC NUN
letin was, l believe, the highest observed to-
day. The character of the pulse, however, is
of quite as much Importance as the rate, and
in the Presidents case the character has i'm
proved a little since morning"
"Is Mrs. Garfield fully aware of the gravity |
of the stuation?"
2 Yes. She is with her husband now almost
all the time. She is a close observer, and no.
tices the slightest change in his condition and |
appearance and she discusses his symptoms |
with us. Frequently we have not thought it |
necessary to say anything to her with regard |
TO the probable result of the case, because we |
still hope for recovery.
Does her strength hold out and does she
still keep up?
Perfectly. She has not shown the slightest
weakness.
In case the President should grow worse, SO
much so as to leave no room for hope, what |
would probably oe the cause of death?
Exhaustion, unless some new cOmplica-
tion should make its appearance. The patient
is not likely to die direct from any other
cause.
Is there any intention of sending for DR..
Agnew?
No We should be glad, of course, to have
the benefit of his counsel, and if there were
the slightest doubt as to the proper treat
ment Of any symptoms of the Presidents case,
we should send for him. But there is not.
We are entirely agreed upon the treatment.
In conclusion DR.. Bliss said: "Please do
not misunderstood me and quote me as saying
the Presidents case is hopeless. l do not
think it is. He has a chance, although per-
haps slight chance, of recovery.