The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-04-11
CONKLING AT DEATHS DOOR
CANNOT LIVE FoRTY-Cl6HT HOURS.
Surgeons Perform Dangerous Operation
The Patient DeIifiOus and Rest
less-2hy sicians Give Up all Hope
of His Recovery.

NEW YORK, April e.-Roscoe Conkling's
condition changed much for The worse last
night. lie was bucyed up in the evening by
the presence of his wife, whom he had not been
permitted 10 see since his illness became seri-
Gus. After her departure he sank into a stupOr
from which he aroused, but at long intervals,
and then only to display symptoms of delirium.
DR.. Asnew, the eminent oculist, called at Mr.
Conkling's residence last night. At the time OF
his leaving the patient seemed to be not much
worse, though his temperature had risen per
ceptibly. DR.. Fordyce Barker said to-day that
he feared Mr.. Conkling's ocular trouble had
caused aE affection OF the brain which may
prove fatal. "All care to say just now" said
Dr. Barker, lis that Mr. Comkling has
had q bad change within The last twenty
four hours, and is very poorly, in
deed. / have called in DIR. Sands
and Dir. Deafeld, and they, in company with
DIR. Agnew and myself viii visit the patient
this afternoon" Al O'clock DTs. Sands, Del
atield, Barker and AgaeW called AZ Mr.. Conk-
lings house and had a consultation. A few
minutes after Hamilton Fish called, but was
not admitted. DR.. Barker at the conclusion OF
the conference said that the patients condition
was very unp.0mlSIng, thai he was suffering
from Inflammation oi the CAR which had eK-
probabilities are thai Mr.. COnkling would not
recover, though there WAS possibility tnat he
might get wen. Ills temperature was 1867 and
his pulse 100 DR.. Barker did not think that
there would be any marked change I'D his
patients condition Tor perhaps twelve hours.
No person is admitted 10 the sick room but
the nurses and Mrs. C0nkllng, and all eallels az
the house are denied ADMISSION.
During the afternoon a mattress and operat-
ing-lable were broughtto the house and 1t was
learned that the operation OF trephlnlng was 10
be performed on The patient At S:40 p. IN.
DR. Foriyce Barker, on behalf Of the attending
physicians, said that MIR. Conkling was resting
much easier aud that there was 10 immediate
danger of death. Ills temperature was lU2 and
his pulse about , Mr. Conkling moved so
mEch that his pulse could only be approx
matey taken. Dr. Barker said that the opera
ton had been in every way successful. Two
holes about half az inch in diameter were
made in the skull behind the ear and about an
ounce of matter was taken out lie seemed
soon after to be greatly relieved.
Drs. FOrdyce barker and Sands called at
900 and found the patient resting quietly and
his condition nIaJe .I4lly improved Since the
operation bis temperature had fallen to lO2 and
hls pulse 10 -. The operation was per
formed by making an incsiOn IN the temporal
bone. About an ounce OF pus flowed out. The
patient was under the influence OF ether, and
he role ana tossed 50 thai i. was only with
difficulty that the operation w"s performed
DIR. Barker said that while the recovery OF the
patient is not assured, he stands much better
chance than before. The operation was very
successful and no danger Is apprehended tor
at least twelve hours.
Alter the operation Mr. Ccnkling arose,
walked into the adjoining room and returned.
Besides the physicians A4rs CoiA,lng and her
marrcl daughter were with the patient con-
stani V. Mr. Conkling has not been able
to recognize any one but his wife during the
day, and he VIII probably remain unconscious
al night because OF the anaeSthetic which was
administered. Drs. Barker and Sands LETT
the SICK chamber at $50 and VIII not return
until q. m. tO-InO. 0w.
The surgical operation performed upon the
distinguished patient this evening IS very
delicate one. lt consists IN the cutting OUT
and removal OF part OF the SquamOus portion
of the temporal bone, the lncislOn being made
made upon the prominence which may be felt
Just behind the ear. Beneath this lies the
mechaLiSm OF the ear and, IN cases IN which
this mechanism becomes involved IN serious
suppuraion, IS in this instance, II becomes
necessary 10 make an opening through which
the pus may be drawn OF. Otherwise the IN
nannhatjon will extend 20 the tissue OF the
brain. Deafness OF the ear operated On re-
suls The saw or drill with which the clrcu-
lar piece OF sponsy ov9e Is eXCised Is Ike
Jagged edge on the end OF q piece oil small steel
tubing Ii is fixed for the first few turns by
prong in the center. The whole instrument is
called trephine. When the region OF the in
ner ear has been reached. the circular disk OF
bone is carefully extracted and the membrane
beneath the bone cut through. A drainage
tube is then 10 be inserted through which The
matter forming in the abscess flow freely
iuto antiScplic absorbent cotton at the outer
end OF the lube. This affords the best chance
of conlining the Inflammation to its narroweS5
limits.
CONKLlNG CANNOT LIVE.
Late In the evening sudden chance occurred
in Mr. COnklings condition, and at midnight
Mr.. Comkling was walking up and down his
room in a hall derious condition. lie sent for
Edward ). Stokes, and when he arrived Dir.
Conkling said 10 him: ed il is no use, / am
gone. / have fought against this tor some
time ] can't stand il any longer" Mr.. Stokes
in going out saw Dr. Sands At the door. lie
asked the doctor Il Mr.. Conkiing had any
chance DR.. Sands said: "He may live forty-
eight hours, but | doubt it" At l2:l5 Mr..
C0nkling'S condition was unchanged. He in
sists on rising and walking about the room but
does so in a delirium as he has not regained
consciousness.
At 1850 there was little difference in the con-
dition of Mr.. Conkling from his condition as
midnight. lie was then sitting up aud wss
slightly deliriOuS