Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-05
URGEON HAMILTO MS OPINION.
All Of the Presidents Symptom ms
Warranstng a Grave PrOgnOsjs.


IN. Y. Sun. To-dsy.l
DR.. Frank K. Hamilton, who was called II
washington on Sunday night, to consult with
the fresioents physicians. returned last even
Ing. he arrived at 1i:25 from Washington
nearly an hour late. and drove directly TO his
mouse az 43 West S2i street. Police Captain
WiIilams was at the train to meet him. at his
btN ~: hamilton said, as he dropped into
All can say Is that when left at s O'Clock
uue iesiuent was no worse than he was this
n M9ddn1lg Wnen arrived at Ok. There was no
eNloence tnat he was sinking: nothing TO lead
10 suspicion that he was at that time. He had
Ueeu vomiting little during the morning ft
oei t OF greenish color but in the last three
u Ioul hours Of my stay that had very much
diminished. The greatest source OF his suffer-
tns nas Ueen the pain In his feet and legs, and,
H n, aiinost the only source OF suffering bit
uuIIng me forenoon that abated very much BE
appears bright and cheerful, and is prompt and
Ieaay 10 answer any questions He turned over
"at VII aio IN bed to have MS wound examined
ana SAID the turning over didn't hurt him at
ai!. The effort OF remaining SO for twenty
mlnutes accelerated his pulse a little, but not
more IMAM 1t would the pulse OF any person,
perhaps. With not a serious wound
"TheSe symptoms have not the highest de.
gree OF gravity, ard might not OF themselves
ilolcaIe fatal issue. But when we take them
IN connection with the fact that the ban
OF that We cannot speak with absolute posi-
tlVeness, and that it remains beyond the reach
s sne may De fairly In
plognosls. The progress Of the Inflammation
seems to be limited. II progressing, it is pro
g fessS1ng very slowly. His temperature is
Is not greatly accelerated.
Have you expressed any opinion, Doctor, as
10 me PROBABILITY OF the Presidents recovery?"
II may nave done SO privately. But 1t has
Deen the policy Of the gentlemen present at the
consultation to give the facts without any
sssbaIem abatement, and let the world interpret for
a nYnnf ~
them for the public. If l entertain any per-
sonar views OF the probability of the Presi-
cents recovery, would not like TO state 1t.
Up to the time when left the President no.
ticed no increasing palor on his countenance.
His face is pale, Of course, and 1t has q aabby
appearance, but there was nothing In its ap-
worse.
'.Tympanites is an indication of peritonitis.
put 1t Is also an indication that patient has
, oeen taxing morphine. Now, morphine had to
be given to the patient to relieve his pain, so
that the tympan1tes observed may result from
the morphine, and we cannot argue certainly
from 1t as to peritonitis. DR.. Simms proposed
the making OF an incis1on into the abdominal
cavity In oIGer to remove the ball and the
material that may have accumulated near 1t.
NOW Dr. Sims Is accustomed to the removal OF
ovarian tumor Is and he can cut right down upon
1t. He also takes very great care that none of
me lntestines shall escape through his inactIon.
lies in the abdominal cavity at all, we do not
know exactly where 1t is. 1t would have to be
searched for. This operation would necesstate
great disturbance OF the intestine; probably
the man would die before the operation was
completed. Inflammation of the intestinal tuba
arrests all OF its functions 1t paraly yes 1t the
same as Inflammation paralyZes muscle. The
intestine cannot assimilate food in the case OF
Inflammation. 1t yields TO pressure.
III IS either too early or too late now to
search for the ball. 1mme diately after wound
a leg may be amputated. II it is not ampu-
tated then 1t is a rule OF surgeons to put off the
amputat1on as long as possible. The bullet
should not now be searched for. In month
or two, when an abcess Is formed, the surgeon
Will then know where the bullet is, and NAV
cut IL cut With comparatively little danger To
attempt to remove 1t now would be Contrary
to all rules OF surgery.
Ine Idea That an Examination may be- made
through the Wouno, which has been suggested
In some Of the dispatches, implies an 1gnor-
ance OF surgery. the wound was never hole
The mouth OF 1t was hollow about the SIZE OF
the end OF my little finger. The bottom was
visible at the depth OF not over quarter OF an
inch. ~
Nv hat was reported as disagreement among
tne physicians probably had reference to the
necessity which arose Of reducing the number
OF the consulting board. There was absolute
unlf0rmitp. may say, among the physicians as
10 all essentials In the treatment OF the Pres-
cent: but the consulting board was too large
1or q sick chamber. There were at least eight
hyslcians IN the board before DR.. Agnew ar
rived. 1t was absolutely necessary that 1.-THE
number should be reduced, and it was reduced,
don't think the qualifications of the physi-
clans had anything to do with the decision as
10 who should remain. do not know who If
was that made the selection"