Daily Republican., 1882-08-29
THIRD EDITION.
GARFIELD,s PHYSICIANS.
DR. Bliss PreAenIES Bill % $2O,OVO
and Eeeuunus mis- SoFVAceS.


and KeeUunIs mis- SO<VhceS.
A special despatch frow Washington
saws: DR., Bliss will leave the city on
Tuesday morning for New Mexico, 10
be absent several weeks, and thought 1t
best to present his account TO the Board
of Audit, and without regard to the ac-
ton of the other physicians who were
engaged with him in attendance upon
President Garfield. DR.. Bliss has been
in correspondence with Drs. Agnew and
Hamilton, and has informed them of
every step he has taken. Dr. Reyhurn
has also filed bis account with the
Board of Audit. II is expected that
Drs. Hamilton and Agnew will file
their accounts very soon 1t is under
stood that they estimate their services
to have been worth about .$15, 900 each.
DR.. Reyburn's bill is for about 5000 or
$4,000.
DR.. Bliss makes oath to his statement
which is addressed to the Board OF
Audit designated by Congress to receive
and adjust claims against Geperal Gar
fields estate. After telling how. ne
came into the case and paying tribute
to the zeal and worth of the other phy-
sicianF, he says:
From that time (July 81 throughout
I was in daily and nightly attendance,
with scarcely ever two executive houEs
of rest. personally prepared ana ao-
ministered all the nutrient enamata
which were given everv four hours.
Day and night, during period OF 30
days, dressed the wound every time
but one, when prostrattd by septic
fever, Ialmost always supervised MS
baths and superintended every move.
ment of his body. He made himself
dependent upon me personally for
many little attentions, for counsel and
announcement. This unremitting
strain upon mind and body, accompa-
MED by loss of sleep, produced the
usual results. Host thirty eight pounds
In weight, and in addition was infected
with the sepsis of the patient, which
caused secondary abscess, lasting more
than three months afterward.
In estimating the value of these SER
vices two considerations present them
selves
First-It is q well recognized fact
that all professional service is to be re-
warded in proportion as the RESPONSE
bilities and difficulties of the case are
great and numerous. 1t is seltevident
that the task imposed upon me has no
parallel In this country, ifindeed in the
whole history OF surgery. Upon myself
first, and also upon my colleagues Eest-
ed not only the professional RESPONSE
bility for the skillful and judicious COM
duct of the case TO its final issue, but
also the burden OF the hopes and fears
of great nation and of the civilized
word. The suspense ofanxiOus wstch-
ing kept our nerves al the utmost ten
sion.
Second-I was, of course, unable to
devote a moment to my private busl-
ness, and this was not all. The pros.
tration of mind and body which follow
ed rendered me unable TO resume pro-
fessional work for months, and even |
then to do with difficulty only small
part of my usual labor. AT the time
the President was shot my income was
more than 81, 500 per month. The fol-
lowing January, when l first attempted
regular business it was but 81, 900, as
against 81, 800 in the same month of the
previous year. My patients had OBJ
Viously to seek other professional advice,
and in many instances probably never
Even for several months of the pre-.
sent year this effect was sensibly felt
while the physical injury sustained,
from which shall never wholly re-
cover, subtracts greatly from the energy
with which l might otherwise prose-
cute my profession. Besides, it Is to be
remembered that in this extraordinary
emergency new heavy expenses were
incurred entirely foreign to my accus
toned mode of life. was forced to
travel after all was over for some time,
as 1t was impossible to regain health
and strength In any other way. In
short, estimate that my service to the
President cost me fully $4,000, and
probably more.
1t is obvious that I should not only
be reimbursed, but also reasonably
compensated in addition. For these
reasons place the sum which I claim
as a Just and equitable reward at $780,
600, as per enclosed bill.
1t is understood that DR.. Reyburn
will ask for S., 200, and the other doc
tor for $15, 900 each. With but $4,000
at its disposal it is apparent that the
Board must either scale these charges
or go to Con ress for more money. Bliss
scouts the idea of taking less than the
sum named.