New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-19


usual, aud this method of administering
Eourishmont will be continued until his stomach
mas entirely recovered its strength He has not ex
we'll at times and awoIe refreshed The wound
looss, we'll The entire field is granulating wcll,
There ps to be "n exaeen n any for M
newed hope that is everywhere prevalent
AN INSIDE VIEW or THE sICK-ROOM.
PUBLIC FEELING MELANCHOLY AND APrREHENsrvE
NO GLOOMY VIEW AT THE WHITE HOUSE
THE PRESIDENT KEPT IN RIGID sECLUsIoN-HE
UNDERSTANDS HIS CONDITION THOROUGHLY
TALKING LrTLE-LoNGING FOR HIS OHIO HOME
HIS BELIEF THAT HE WILL RECOVER.
IFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT TIE TRIBUNE.]
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1S.-There is an anxious and
almost respondent look the faces of those who
weigh carefully all the facts tnat be obtained
to the Presidents condition. Nothing in the
bulletins of the physicians warrants this letting
down of peoples minds from the hopes of yestcr-
day. The President is undoubtedly better than he
was twenty-four hours ago. aud great deal better
than he was on Monday. The physicians insist that
the inflammation of the parotd gland, the news of
which caused panic the street this afternoon is
not serious symptom General Swain and Colonel
Rockwell, who are with the sick nan constantly,
arc cheerful and confident. The President has swal-
lowed a small amount of nourishment and relished
it. and there has been no return OF nausea.
Yet, in spite of all that is cheering
in the situation, the state of public feeling here is
melancholy and apprehensive Almost everyone
outside the White House believes that there is o
serious vitiation of the patients blood and that
this is the of the steady decline in flesh and
strength. This vitation is not thought to amount
to pyeia, if there is rapid absorption of virli-
lent matter in the blood but it is argued that the
blood is in depraved condition, and that to this
condition is owing al the unfavorable symptoms
and the very grave fact, which disputes,
in nnf1 h.
of the President has been down hill ever since he
recovered from the shock Of the wound and made
his first rally.
1t is not at the White House. though.
that one hears this gloomy view
of the Presidents condition expressed
His faithful comrades and nurses believe he is going
to get well. 1t is relief to talk with them, and
see that their faces are still bright with hope had
long conversation with General SWAIN this after
noon which gave me fresh courage. He spends
twelve hours out of every twenty-four with the
President, and knows thoroughly every phase and
symptom OF the He has lost twenty-six
pounds himself while nursing his friend and his
hair has grown many shades grayer but he has
never for moment lost confidence that the Presi-
dent is going to get we'll. He says the PATIENTS
nerves are so steady now that he can do what few
well men could do, lie on his back, help himself to
a glass of water, and drink it without
spilling drop. The President does not
suffer much pain. There is but little
inflammation around the wound The healing pro-
cess is advancing remarkably we'll in view of tho
general weakness of the system. He talks little
but when he speaks his voice, though low is quite
distinct He understands his condition thoroughly
is perfectly clear in his mind greets his nurses and
physicians with much Of his old CHEEKY hearty man.
ner and observes carefully all the directions which
are thought to secure the best conditions for re-
building his wasted strength At the same time his
mind is not active. lie to he able TO keep it
In quiescent state by effort of his will think
ing, as the doctors have told him. that all his litle
fund of strength must be husbanded and none
of it needlessly expended in converse
tion or even in active brain processes Much
of his waking time he is so quiet that
he seems half asleep. He no longer asks about the
news or wishes letters from near friends and
kindred read to him, he did before the last crisis
Many CT the Presidents oldest and closest friend,
do not think the policy of seclusion that has been
rigdy followed in the management of his ca Sc has
been wise one. They would not change it now in
his enfeebled condition, but they believe that if in
the early stages of his illness he had been allowed
to see the familiar faces of few old companions
other than his regular attendants his mind would
have been diverted and less centred on himself
aud would have given a healthier tone to his BODY
The public not fully understand how absolute s
the rule which keeps everybody away from him
save the doctors, the ard his wife
Those who see him besides Mrs. Garfield are the four
regular resident physicians, the two consulting ply
sicians. General Swain, Colonel Rockwell Colonel
Corbin, Mrs. DIR. Edison, his cousin DR.. Bovnton
aud two or three trusted servants. Mr. Blaine has
seen him but once since the day of the shooting No
other member OF the Cabinet has seen him at all
His children are not admitted to the sick room and
no relative or friend besides those named has had
glimpse OF him. His oldcomrade, General Sheldon.
came all the way from New-Mexico to be near him
but was not admitted. One who u.s. perhaps a still
nearer friend-President B. +. Hinsdale, of Hiram
Coiege-stayed fortnight in the city, but was
compelled to go away without opportu-
nifty to as much look at him. When
the President heard that Mr.. Hinsdale had
come and gone he inclined to rebel against the
rule of the DOCTORS and said with some feeling that
he wanted to see Burke" very mnch and thought
1T would have done him good to shake hands with
him.
Those who object to the plan Of strictly isolatinp
the patient and allowing him to see no one except
the six doctors who feel his pulse and gauge his
temperature and the who take care of him. |
argue that nothing used to do much good to
wounded men In the hospitals during the late war |
as visits from their friends whose CHEEKY talk about
nome matters acted as tonic and took their minds
away from contemplation of their hurts |
ana morbid study of changing symptoms |
Perhaps this criticism is right i'm theory |
but in the Presidents case it wouid |
have been very difficult to have pursped |
a different course from the one adopted without |
great danger. If one Cabinet member had
been admitted to the sick-room, all would have |
claimed the same privilege. If one old friend had
been allowed to sit by the Presidents bedside |
and cheer him with "reminiscences and chat |
about home scenes, hundred would have
insisted on seeing him in the hnnest haI;af tbot |