Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-17
IN DOUBT.


The President ut Deaths Gates.
Within the last three days the presi-
dents case has taken q most unfortu-
nate turn, the gravity of which the physi-
clans in attendance do not attempt to dis
guise. The healing of the Tound pro-
ceeds in the most satisfactory manner, but
the recuperative energy Of the patient has
received sudden check by the refusal OF
the stomach to perform its legitimate
functions. The doctors claim to have
done all they could to sustain system
already enfeebled by severe and contin
uous strain and all but fatally prostrated
by the breakdown of the ordinary pro-
cess of digestion. So far their efforts
have been successful, but it is evident that
abnormal methods of nutrition which
might bring patient through serious
attack of gastric arrangement may prove
entirely inadequate to the wants of a
system which has to repair the constant
and exhausting waste incident to the dis
charge from a grievous wound.
The president was reported last night to
be little better. The improvement is SO
slight, however, that his physicians can
found upon it no definite hopes of his re-
covery. If it continues at the same rate
forty eight hours longer, one of their mum.
Der cautiously says, there will be gronnd
for hope. The improvement Is indicated
by rise in the temperature of the presi
dents body from point a little below the
normal limit to point little above it,
as if his system were feebly rallying its
forces once more. This is a matter OF
tenths of a degree of temperature only,
but it is added that the patient is looking
better and is in better spirits. Neverthe-
less he is still very near death so near
that the faintest change for the better is
welcomed as q great relief.
From Z o'clock last evening until mid
| night there was slight improvement and
no recurrence of nausea, and the pulse at
| 10 o'clock had gone down to ia, the tenn
perature and respiration were about nor
NAL and SO continued to near midnight,
when he was arranged for the night by
tho surgeon in charge. He rests we'll, his
| frequent sleeps being tranquil and natural
and refreshing. Good effects are visible
from the enemata, the subsistence of pulse
being regarded as evidence that the system
is absorbing the nourishment thus ad-
ministered. Before retiring for the night
DR.. Bliss said thcre was no trouble except
what was derived from the arrangement
of the stomach, and he is now confident
that this will be controlled. This feeling
on his part is based on careful examination
of all the causes and symptoms, and III
said that DR.. Agnew fully concnrred in thu
belief that the improvement made by the
president removes the cause for alarm felt
| Whether the stomach has to be repaired
| to the extent that will enable the presi
dent to take nourishment in the natura
way can only be ascertained by actua
experiment and the test will likely bt
made with beef peptones. Should it re
main rebellious, enemata will be cOntin
ued until the stomach is restored to it!
normal condition, and of the ability Of tn
surgeons to hold up the president until thu
stomach resumes its functions DR.. Bliss ha
not the slightest doubt The wound i.
now causing no anxiety, is granulatin:
rapidly and satisfactorily, and is not af
fected by the gastric disturbance. In con
Guiding his talk at midnight Dr. Bliss said
with earnestness "The president is (;
very sick man, but am confident he viii
get WELL"
Was iI an Omen?
An incident of peculiar interest, on &C
count of the present condition of Presi
dent Garfield, occurred at the recent re
union of the Palmer family at Stonington
Conn. One of the set pieces of the pyro
technic display at the reunion bore til
words, "Vivat Garfield" in letters of i'm
mense size. When the piece was touch
ed off, only the word " Garfield" burne'
out brightly, and many persons. presen
shook their heads sadly at what seemed t
be an ominous sign. But just as the las
letter in the presidents name was flicker
ing out, the word ''Vivat" suddenl
flashed into brilliant flame. The effec
on the throng present was instantaneous
and all felt a stronger hope that the pres