The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-30

Their Claims Against His Estate-Dr
Bliss Presents His Bill.

Ut. Bliss VIII leave the city to-day for his
mines in New Mexico, TO be absent several
weeks, and thought it best to present his
account to the Board OF Audit, and with
out regard to the action Of the other ply
sicians who were engaged with him in at
tendance upon President Garfield. DR..
Bliss has been in correspondence with
DrS. Agnew and Hamilton, and has in
formed them OF every step he has taken.
DR.. Reyburn has also filed his account
with the Board Of Audit. II is ex-
pectcd that Drs. Hamilton and Agncw
will file their accounts very soon. It is
understood that they estimate their services
TO have been worth about $4,000 each
DR.. Rcyburn's bill is for about 5000 or
$4,000. DR.. Bliss makes oath TO his state
mcnt, which is addressed to the Board OF
Audit designated by Congress to receive
and adjust claims against General Garfield :
estate. After telling how he came into the
case, and paying tributes TO the zeal and
worth OF the other physicians, he says:
FROM THAT TIME JrI.Y 81 THROUGHOUT
| was in daily and nightly attendance, with
scarcely ever two consecutive hours OF
rest. l personally prepared and admins
tered all the nutrient cnemata, which were
given every four hours. Day and night,
during a period of thrty-fve days,
dressed the wound every time but one,
when prostrated 10y septic fever. / almost
always supervised his baths and superin-
tended every movement Of his body. lie
made himself dependent upon me per-
sonally for many little attentions, for coun-
sci, and encouragement. This unremitting
strain upon mind and body, accompanied
by loss Of sleep, produced the usual re-
suits. | lost thirty-eight pounds in weight,
and in addition was infected with the sep
sis Of the patient. which caused secondary
abscesS, lasting more than three months
afterward.
IN ESTIMATING THE VALUE
OF these services two considerations pre-
sent themselves: First. II is a wcll-recog'
nized fact that all professional service is to
be rewarded in proportion rs the RESPONSE
bilities and difficulties OF the case are great
and numerous. 1t Is self-eyldcnt that inc
task imposed upon me has no parallel in
this country, il, indeed. in the whole his
tory OF surgery. Upon myself first, and
also upon my colleagues, restcd not oniy
the professional responsibility for the skill
full and iudiciOus conduct OF the case lC
its final issue. but also the burden OF the
homes and fears of a great nation and OF tho
civilized world. The suspense OF anxious
watching kept our nerves at their utmos
| tension.
sECONp-I WAS, OF COURSE, UNABLE
to devote n moment to my private busi
Ness and this was not all. The prostra
tion Of mind and body which FOLLOWED
rendered me unable TO resume pr0iessiona
work for months, and even then to DO VIII
dificultv only small part of my usual Ia
Lor Al the time the President was Sho
INV income was more than Sl,5OO pc
month. The following January, when
t;r.t attempted regular business, 1t was bu
a 400 rs against $4,000 in the same mont
~ the previous year. My patients had OF
viously 10 seek other professional adVice
ond i'm many instances probably never II
tnrucd. Even for several months OF IN
rresent wear this effect was sensiDi
iclt while the physical injury SUI
Itoincd. from which shall never wholly II
cover subtracts greatly from the ehcrg
with which | might otherwise prosecu'
NV nrofession. Besides, it is to be remcil
hcrrd that in this extraordinary emergenc
now heavy expenses were incurred entiIel
forn;,n to nv accustomed mode OF lie.
,voo forced 10 travel after all was over lc
'omc time. as it was impossible to rcgaI
health and strength in any other way. II
hort I estimate that my service 10 u
president cost me fully $4,000, and proo'
Jv more II is obvious that | should M
o,;ir Inc reimbursed but also reasohap
compensated in addition. FOR dInin, tltSe ds nc
sons place the sum which cam con - as ,,
! iUSf and equitable reward at S21,Ooo, as p
enclosed bill. Washington hep''o''c0
iangL