The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-26
THE PRESIDENT on WEDNESDAY.


Executive Mansion.
THE PRESIDENT on WEDNESDAY
Hopeless View by an Eminent Surgeon
lncision Of Parotid Giand-consul-
tssion Of Surgeons.
CHICAGO, August pa special from
Washington says that DIR. Reynolds, army
surgeon, now on the retired list, in talking
Of the Presidents case, said the physicians
in attendance had about given him up. al
don't believe they have yet communicated
this opinion to Mrs. Garfield, but they will
probably do so tonight or tomorrow, If he
does not improve any. regard 1t as impos-
si5le for him to recover. He Is so weak he
cannot rally. The splendid physique the
President started with is now gone, and he is
but skeleton. / have it upon good au-
thority that he has not been able to recog-
nize any one, even his wife, for several days.
There is nothing left on which he can build,
and 1t Is well enough now the people should
know the truth, painful as it is"
"Will the nourishment now given him
strengthen him any ?"
Hardly. 1t will serve to keep him alive
probably for while longer, but that Is all.
He has no recuperative power. 1t has been
a miracle that he has lived as long as he has.
His physicians have not had confidence In
his recovery for over a week, but they have
thought it best TO appear cheerful in the hope
of sustaining the President, thinking they
may have some change for the better"
"Do you approve the treatment he has
had ?"
"Yes. ! have known of everything that
has been done from one of the physicians.
All that medical skill could do or suggest
has been done. No man ever had better
treatment, but the shock from the wound
was too great for him to recover from. He
has never rallied from the first relapse. This
has been always Hamilton's view when
speaking with medical men," ..
"Secretary Blaine's description then was
not overdrawn2"
"Not In the least. He stated the exact
truth. 1t was from him indirectly learned
the President could not recognize those
around him. He felt 1t his duty 10 state the
fact and he did 50, though to write the tele-
gram affected him to tears"
what will be the cause of death In your
opinion ?" -..
"The bullet and that alone. Other things
were but incidental. The most grievous OF
these Is the parotid swelling. 1t Is that
which affects his mind and makes his case
hope hopeless. There Is no escaping the
anticipated result. 1t may be delayed a day
longer or 1t may run week, but the Presi-
dents life Is slowly ebbing away and no one
mourns it more than Ido."
Gone of the attending surgeons, when ap-
preached by person who had q right to
know, said in effect the case was almost
hopeless, yet Major Swain, bright, cheerful,
faithful and hopeful always, said: Il think
the President will pull through, and have
never lost my hope The atmosphere which
such men bring with them to the sick cham
Der must be beneficial. 1t is buoyant, hope
full, cheerful"
EXECUTIVE MANSION, August 24.-l0 p.
m.-Dr. Bliss sent the following telegram
to-day:
WASHINGTON, August "a.
Drs. Hays Agne1, Philadelphia:
The subject of the removal of the Presi-
dent from the White House has been seri-
ously considered. We desire your immedi-
ate presence. Answer.
(Signed) .a- ID. w. BLISS.
On Wednesday morning the President
awoke from the best sleep he has had for a
week and asked for food, which he took
with apparent relish. His stomach seemed
improved. The surgeons discontinued the
enemata and gave him large quantities Of
beef juice and his pulse grew stronger. The
wound dressed we'll. The glandular in6ams-
ton was little softer, indicating suppura-
ton, and In the afternoon ii was decided to
cut into the swelling on the right side of the
face, below and In front of the ear. DIR.
Hamilton performed the operation. 1t being
unnecessary, no an@sthetic was used, but
into the cut as an antiseptic precaution.
The pulse ran up to 115, but soon subsidized.
DIR. Bliss said the operation was satisfactory.
that II was not expected the operation would
give permanent relief, but thought there
would be no necessity for more cutting. In
the evening the pulse and temper
allure were slightly higher, but in other re-
spects the condition was unchanged. Gem,
Swain and Col. Rockwell expressed encour-
agement. The latter says the talk about de-
lirium Is all nonsense; that he is sometimes
little incoherent for moment on awaken
Ing, just as any weak person would be, but
at all other times his mind is perfectly clear.
He recognizes everybody, but does not take
as much interest In outside affairs rs former
ly, although on Tuesday he desired the head
lines of the morning papers read to him.