National Republican., 1881-07-30
The President, the Doctors, and the
Press

Press.
II there is TO he battle of the doctors
over the Presidents case, and if the
newspapers are TO command the forces
on each side, rs is the usage in such en-
gagements, would it not be well to defer
it until the President can be an amused
spectator, instead ofproceedingnow, when
his life may be endangered by the mis-
siles used by the belligerents?
The greatest newspaper in the world
has commenced pouring hot shot into the
group of doctors at the White House for
the purpose of showing that the Presi-
dents responsible physician has not at
any time done right, even by mistake.
1t declares that men of more capacity
than Bliss--such men as Agnew and
Hamilton-should have been summoned.
True, it says, he has admitted skill, and
was in charge of a great hospital during
the war; but then it adds, deprecatinGly.
he had so great charge that he was
rather an inspector or director than an
operating surgeon. As for his assistants,
they are disposed of with gesture and
word apiece, as thus: Barnes lacks ex-
perience in gun-shot wounds Woodward
Is microscopist $50 are all surgeons), and
Reyburn-well, he is able and modest !;
and-well, somebody else than Bliss ought
to have charge.
The complaints made against DIR. Bliss
by the New York Herald are that he did
not at all hazards Immediately probe and
find the bullet and cut it out that he has
guessed wrong as TO the location of the
bullet; that he has not wisely dieted the
patient; that he waited for Drs. Agnew
and Hamilton before making the new in
cison after the pus discharge ceased, last
Friday; that he has given bulletins more
favorable than were justified by facts ;
that he has not given "an expectant Ma
ton as full and interesting details as are
desirable for an enterprising newspaper;
and finally, that he ought to have declined
the case entirely because he had never
prescribed for the Presidents dyspepsia
As to all these matters, il would appear
that something might be said on the
other side. As to DR., Bliss's professional
ability, that is admitted by the Herald
and proven by twenty years of extensive
practice. Here in Washington he is the
subject of much respect, and also of much
prejudice. He has treated many leading
men Of the Nation, and has their conf
dence. He once wounded the sensi-
bilities of some of the faculty by consuta-
ton with hom9opathst. But this was
venial oiiense. He even embarked in
the manufacture of decoction of newly
discovered drug which is believed TO be
the sin which cannot be forgiven. But
this oflense, leinous as all will admit it
to be, might be committed without ex-
tinguishing the scientific knowledge and
experience previously acquired by the Of
fender
But, whatever may be thought Of any
physician by others Of the profession,
the right to employ him remains unim-
paired in every household of the COM
munity. The selection of DR., Bliss by
General Garfield WAS no violation of law
or propriety. Ifanother had previously
been his family physician, he could, un-
der the Constitution, change his family
physician at any time. DIR. Bliss has GER
tainly been employed by General Gar.
field, and has selected his associates. lie
early called into consultation Drs. Agnew
and Hamilton, who both declared that
the case had been treated rs they would
have treated it. The Hcrdid thinks such
a man US Agnew or Hamilton should
have been in charge from the outset. If
they are at the top of the profession, why
is not their testimony taken when they
emphatcally declare that no mistake las
been made in the treatment Of the case
1t is upon DIR. lIammond's opinion that
the Herald says the bullet should
have been found and extracted at once,
and DIR. Hammond cites surgical
authority in his own support. OF this
the Hralds other oracle, DR.. Hamilton,
says; Such course is only to be pur-
sued when it does not endanger life, or
when it is manifest that only such treat
ment can save life" He and DR.. Agnew
agree that the Presidents case does not
come within either description. If there
has been a mistake as to the direction
taken by the bullet, why lay it all at DR.
Bliss door, Did not Surgeon-General
Wales, of the navy, declare ut the start
and adhere to it ever since that he in
serted his finger into the wound aud
there felt the liver? And yet the Herald
says DIR. Bliss is the only man in the
United States who thinks the liver waf
penetrated The HeraldS oracle. DR.,