The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-23

would have to crowd their Instrument through
the body of the veKtshra which was already
badly mangled and weakened. and In doing
this there would have bean danger OF wound
ing some important artery, perhaps even the
great aorta itself, which, for aught any one
could have told had been seriously injured and
| ready to rupture on a slight touch. There
| would have been the further risk of plunging
the instrument into the spinal canal trepre-
sented by tho roundish onening in thu bone)
and injuring the spinal cord. Other perils
might be named, but these would be sufficient
to deter any careful surgeon, especially in
view of the fact that bullets SO commonly be-
come encysted, and thus secured against prob
ability of doing harm. Two other methods
might bapursued In such a case: one by open
ing the belly from the front, displacing the
bowels and other organs which stood in the
way; the ether by entering frem the side near
the kidney. Neither of these would be jnstif-
able, even supposing 1t to be known that the
ball lay 3ust where it did in the Presidents
body.
The report says, "The immediate cause of
death was secondary henaorrhage from one of
the mesenteric arteries adjoining the back OF
the ball" It Is not stated in words, but ID is
probably the case that this vessel was
cut at the tiras of the shooting. eithes by the
ball or By sharp splinter of bone from
the broken vertebra. This hole IN the artery
closed and healed up; but the mechanical irri-
tation of the ball, which was in close proximi-
ty to it, probably caused weakness and thin
ming Of its walls aud at last allowed an escape
of blood, which speedily deprived the patient
of the little strength which remained TO him.
IF be had been in perfect health and vigor this
bleeding woald almost certainly have kiiled
him; for it's exact location talnost in the mid
die OF the trunk could not have been deter
mined, and, even ii known. could not have
been reached in season to save him. AS 1t
was, If the hemorrhage had not occurred,
the President could not have much longer
withstood the drain upon his powers. The
large collection of matter tabscess cavity near
the gall-bladder had no connection with the
wound, as far as could be discovered, and was
evidence of the extremely deprayed condition
of the whole system.
Already certain surgeons are endeavoring to
excite public feeling against those who had
charge OF the case, by making unfavorable
criticisms upon every step In its management.
1t would be well for tho people to know how
those who have had most to do with the treat
ment ars regarded by the medical profession.
DIR. Bliss is man of marked ability as sur.
geon, however one may regard his courtesy;
Dr.. Hamilton is an authority, a noted teacher,
author and practitioner, and is justly esteemed
leader in the profession; and DR.. Agnew has
not superior in surgery in America. That
these men were in error as to the location OF
the ball, they themselves have frankly con.
fessed; but, If another case OF similar charac-
ter we're to arise to-day, they, balancing the
probabilities, as one must in surgical practice
as we'll as in so many other human affairs.
would almost certainly be obliged to decide as
they did In this case. AS regards thsir treat
ment of the President, 1t is very generally CON-
sidered by medica al men to have been careful
.. and judicinns. tt is not difficult to predict
after the event. and 1t is very easy tocritcise at
any time; but those who are SO ready with their
advice on subjects which they know nothing OF
are likely to be less confident in proportion as
they become better informed, and probably
many who have been eager to question the
competency of the Presidents medical staff
will, on studying the nature and relations of
the anatomical parts involved, be more chari-
table in their Judgment of the devoted men
who for eleven weeks watched every changing
pulse beat Of the victim Of assassination, and
who must be admitted to have had at least al
much at stake as those who, aetnated by disap-
pointed ambition, hasten to malign them.