Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-01
THE HIDDEN FACTOR IN THE
PRESIDENTS CASE.

PRESIDENTS CASE.
DR.. HAMILTON intimated the other daH
that he had a theory about the Pres
dents case that was somewhat original
and independent and not entirely &C
cepted by his colleagues. He declined
to say what it was, but he said enough
to disclose the fact that there has been
a difference OF opinion among the sur
gsons as to some particular feature Of
the case and it seemed that certain de-
yelopments had so convinced him OF the
correctness OF his views that he was
willing to break his silence in the face
Of the latest revelations and declare his
belief in the Presidents recovery.
Those who have followed the varying
symptoms in the Presidents condition
have not failed 3 observe that certain
conditions have existed more or less all
the time which were not satisfactorily
accounted for by any external or dis
covered causes. 1t did not require a
man to be a physician to detect this.
Nor did it require a very close reading
of the official bulletins to discover that
the have been at sea upon one
feature of the case.
The fuctuating and abnormal condi
ton Of the pulse and temperature, even
when the President was supposed to be
steaiily recovering, and the continued
reduction OF his fi,sh and strength,
while his appetite AMI spirits were good
were unaccountable symptoms OF the
case, which have alike puzzled the ply
sicians and the public.
There have been no end to the theo'
ries set up to answer this puzzle. BY
| some II has been maintained that the
ball was the melting cause; by others
that the maiarial influences in the atmUs
phere of the White House were at work
upon the patient; and again, other:
have been positive in the belief that the
symptoms were fully accounted for in
blool poisoning.
In regard to these two latter theories
the surgeons have been outspoSen snd
positive in their opinions. They have
not hesitated to say that there we e nc
Indications whatever Of malarial iDin
| ences in the Presidents case, and very
emphaticaily declared that they could
detect any such symptoms when they
appeared.
They have been equally positiye..abou
the degree of blood poisoning. They
have been free to admit that there i.
s~epticaemia but not pyaemia in the case,
And we understand that the difference
between these two conditions is that in
the former the blood is in an unhealthy
state such as might originate from any
disease, as typhoid fever, and the like
while in the case OF pyaemis the blood
becomes ~impreynated with poison alb
sorbed from Il wound or extraneou:
matter lodged in the system. The enc
is easily overcome, the other is general
" fatal.
But now, in regard TO the influence
which that hidden bullet is having upor
the case there has maniiestly been an
absence not only Of comment on tbs
part OF the surgeons, but evidently s
studied reserve. Ii has not hecn men
toned in their bulletins, and no opinion
Whatever has been given out NJ to il:
probable presents influences or the ef
fects upon the Presidents future con, j
I ton.
1t looks very much like there was
disagreement among the surgeons upnr
this point, and that some were holdinI
it to be the disturbing cause not account
Ell Tor, and by others, not so importan'
q factor.
This view, it seems to Us. is confirmed
by the reports which have leaked on
since the President has began 10 rally
il the last few days. 1t is being sug
,sted if not directly by the surgeons
by those who gather their information
at the White House, that the ball hal
probably changed its location and hal
fallen into the lower part of the body
Aud it is a significant coincidence that
in connection with this speculation Or
HAMILTON has suddenly broken silence
and is willing to declare to the public
that the Presidents chances OF recovery
are almost if not quite assured.
We throw out this speculation simply
as the best solution We can ind for the
mysterious features Of the case, and shall
not be surprised to find when the facts
come to light thai DR.. HAMILTON has
held an independent theory about the
influence Of that bullet.
IT is very easy to predict a panic, go
we are not surprised at the newspapers
that have broken out OF late into melan-
choly prophecies Of that kind. Predic-
tons are not always realized, however,
and the reflection that advertised panics
invariably fail TO arrive will keep sensi.
bic people from being at all alarmed by