National Republican., 1881-07-06
TOO MANY DOCTORS.
POINTS OF MEDICAL ETIQUETTE,
Exceptions Taken ly Some or the Physicians Who
First Attended the President 10 the
Course Of Dr. BlsS-Scyeral Who
Think He Was Right.

II has been stated in several news
papers that a serious disagreement between the
physicians who ut first attended the President had
occurred, and that an unhappy aud heated col
lOquy had taken place between Or. ID. w. Bliss,
WHO'S In charge uf tie case, and Dr. J. II. Baxter,
the medical rurveyor Of the army. Inquiry made
rs % the facis shows that. as has already been
stated in 1nG RErCUuCAS nr. Smith Townshond,
the Health Oflcct VI the District was the FIRST to
respond 10 the call for medical aid afcr thcshOot.
ng took plnCc which was to bo expected rs
his Office is hut square from the depot,
IN a very btiCf time Hilerwarl Or. Bliss arrived,
having been sent for 10y Secretary of War Lincoln
and as he had large surgical experience in gun
shot wounds during the time he presided over the
Annoy squire Hospital Dr. Townshcnd nntu-
rally yielded to him. and he took 'hc cnsc In hand,
examining the wounds and cudvGvoring TO asccr-
tain the course Of the hall Othcr physicians ar.
rived and, seeing d.. Bis, at once accorded TO him
precedence, and looked TO him for authoritative
statements, merely prohcrng their advice and
suggestions. AftCr the removal of the President
to the White House most OF the doctors who
hnd been at The depot repaired to where
the patient had been taken, and others
impclod some by curiosity, some by desire to nf-
ford any aid advice In their power and Others II
must be believed, by II hope to bring themselves
into prominence by an association with the dis.
tinguished puticnt--visitcd the Executive Mansion
until there were more doctors than would have
supplied several medical colleges with compile.
mcnt of faculties Tlis continued during the en-.
tire day and night OF saturday, and on Sunday
morning, DR.. Bliss, who felt himsclfas responsible
for the case, having been summoned by n Cabinet
officer and having been the first except the Health
Oficcr to attend, determined to reduce the number
ofphysicians, and addressed TO those whose coun.
sci he did not longer desire the following note:
ExEcuTivE NANsIoS. July g. 1881.
DEAR DoCTuR: At the request of the President
write 10 advise you that his symptoms at present
20 favorable as to render unnecessary any further
consultation until some change In his condition
shall seem to warrant 1t. Thanking you most cordi-
ally for your kind attention and skillful advice,
and for which the President and family are deeply
grateful, remain yours respectfully,
d. W. BLISS.
Some comment has been made as TO the use of
the expression, "AtthC request OF the President" !"
but 1t is believed thut the President, who has
known DR.. Bliss for a number OF years, and who
was perfectly wcll acquainted with his surgical
skill, consented to the ihrascolOgy used
lu reference TO the difficulty between Dr. Bliss
aud Medical purvcyUr Baxter, IL the report in the
New York Herdm Is correct both gentlemen lost
| their temper at an unfortunate time. The Herald
givcs interviews with number of the physicians.
commencing with DR.. Baxter, who states that he
has hecn the family physician Of the President for
number Of years, and quotes from the articles OF
the medical association Of this District to sustain
hts chsrGc of discouricsy IN not being allowed to
assume the charge Of the case As the interviews
referred TO contain expressions Of opinion as 10 the
probable result, as well MS give views upon the
course Of Dr. Bliss, the following extracts made
Dr. Lincoln said The fact Of II is that should
not have gone to the White House again unless !
mad been especially summoned. My treatment at
the hands ol Dr, Bliss was scarcely courteous To
tell the TRUTH nm very glad to be outofth snarl
and am mole thnn sorry any has occurred"
You SAW the President several times, doctor;
| What is your belief as TO his rccoveryg'
| d" / have no belief will answer you by saying
that the chances are nearly all against his recoy-
ory. The balance Of probability 10 not in his
fayor Even Bliss gave him up until DR.. Wales
made his examination, probing the wound with
his fingers and thereby learning the course OF the
bullet Such reward as DIR. Wales has received is
| not pleasant. He came over to sec Inc as soon as
he got Dr. Bliss note and asked me If l had one.
] had just come in, and took up my letters aud
| found mine similarly wordcd with his. That is
all there Is OF It,"
Did Dr. Susan Edison take part in your con.
| sultation?"
| mo. OF course she came in and out of the room
| during the zine II was held, but had nothing to
| say"
DR.. Edison, 1t may be said has for a number Of
years been the physician of Mrs, Garfield and the
children, and has at times prescribed for the
| President himself