New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-09
DIR. UAMLTON's OPINIONS.

WHY TIE OPERATION or YESTERDAY WAS PER-
FoIAiEp-rIE HOPE THAT ANOTHER oNE WILL
NOT BE NEEDED.
DIR. +. II. Hamilton returned home last night after
an absence OF several days in Washington where he
has been in attendance upon the President. H. con-
versaton with a TRIBUNE reporter last night he
commented freely upon the operation performed
yesterday and the present condition of the patient.
"When left the White House." he said, "a5out
2 o'clock the President was comfortable. There
had been at that time a complete reaction from the
operation The operation did not disturb him
great deal the ether administered nauscatcd him
somewhat and he yomi, ed once. Thiswas expected
in fact worse effects were expected"
"What was the nature OF the operatonW W
1t consisted in cutting down along the track of
the bau below the twelfth rib so as to make con
nection with the track, where it is not likely to be
narrowed and encroachcd upon as il was before by
the adjoining ribs"
"What made the operation necessaryp
at was performed to prevent evils which were
anticipated rather than present. The opening be-
tween the ribs was daily becoming smaller, and the
difficulty of getting in the drainage tube was con-
| stantly Increasing"
WAS The operation to any extent induced by the
increase of fever each day ~
| mo. for myself attributed the fever to the
! heat of the three successive days. But it was
! plainly to be seen that the time was coming when
| no amount of attention could prevent accumula-
, ton OF pus. Therefore measures were taken TO Sc
! ter condition and encourages the hope that no
further interference OF this kind will be necessary .
| Some have looked upon Or. Bliss with little
suspicion since the operation because he asserted
| Sunday afternoon and evening that no operation
| was to be made. Can you explain the apparent IN
consistency y
We concluded late Sunday evening that we
would prepare for operation, but 1t not finally
decided upOn until after the morning examination
| and dressing Different conditions at that time
| might have led 10 its omission"
| ''Has the position of the bullet been yet deter
| mined W
| Personal---very., but not absolutely. Until The
| location is absolutely determined no pruc ent sur
| geon would favor ATTEMPT TO remove liat icas
rot when its presence seems 10 cause so little dis
turbance as it does now. III the bullet was the oc
cason OF a great deal of disturbance it would b
more easy to fix its position"
What evidence is there as 10 the place wher
the ball lies p
We discovered about two weeks ago slight in
duration in the right lilac tossa. This point whcl
pressed upon proved to be sensitive and tender
This point of tenderness to the present, bu
il has increased in sensItiveness Also, IL II IN
direction toward the point that we have been abl
carry the flexible probe, and the early symptoms o
the correspond TO the supposed situation OF til
bail"
Dr. Hamilton again expressed himself as who'll
satisfied with the results of the operation and TN
| Presidents present condition. The patient woul
not be- well, he said for three four days
count of the operation. Dr. Hamilton will retur
to Washington Thursday or Friday.