Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-04-11

TIE EX-SENATOR THE SUBJECT OF A
DELICATE OPERATION.

The. Temporal Bone Removed and Pus
Drained from the Base of TIE Brain
Latest Bulletins indicate That His Con-
dition is Very Critical.
NEW YORK, April 10.--The operation
of removing a portion Of the temporal
bone was performed on MI. Conkling by
DR.. Sands. Drs. Barker, Agnew and
Delafeld were present. a quantity of
matter was found secreted Mt the base of
the brain, and wa drained away leaving
the abcess in IL favorable condition.
The operation was performed yester-
day afternoon. The most intense inter
est was manifested in the condition of
the sick man, and bulletins were issued
during Che night as follows:
O p. m,-The operation performed upon
Senator Conkling is regarded as having
had a favorable effect. The patient is
still unconscious, as he was throughout
the operation, and an opiate was used.
Thu physicians now think there is a slight
chance for recovery, though the case is
still an extremely grave one.
SIP. m.-There is no change In Mr..
Conkling's condition though more hope
is entertained than before the operation.
At present all the physicians have left
the house. No marked change Is ex-
pected to occur for several hours.
S:f5 p. m.-Mr. Conkling has fallen
into q natural sleep. This is an encour-
aging symptom and it is expected be will
awake much improved in condition.
Temperature 1031&; pulse 100.
At $50 p. M. the physicians announced
that Mr.. Conkling's temperature had
fallen to 102 and his pulse to 90. His
condition was decidedly improved.
Ether was used in the operation. The
patient has been out of his mind all day
but most of the time very active phys
ically, and 1t was difficult to place him
entirely under the influence of the ether.
After the operation he rose and walked
around the room, DIR, Barker's assistant,
DR.. Anderson, remains constantly with
the patient, who recognizes no one, how
ever, except Mrs. Conkling.
DIR. Barker Says while he can not prom
Use recovery he can safely say that the
chances are much better thaa before the
operation. The physicians were doubt
ful as to whether pus had collected at
she base of the brain, and had no alter.
native but to perform the operation,
which was very successful. About an
ounce of pus was removed. DR.. Barker
says there is mt least no danger OF any
material change for the worse within
twelve hours. Mrs. Conkling and he'll
MAJ ss,h daughter were in the room with
the ex-senator during the evening. Drs.
Barker aad Sands left Mt 10 p. M, and
wiH not return until 8 O'Clock IN the
morning.
AT IL p. m, Mr.. Conkling was resting
quietly. Temperature and pulse the
same us at last report.
Among tile Callers to inquire as to DIR.
GGnklfngis condition during the day and
evening were scores of prominent citi.
Gems and visitors of all trades and polit-
ieal opinion, including Mayor Hewitt,
',ladge Shipman of Connecticut, Clarence
Seward, Judge Hilton, ex-senator T,hos.
u Platt, Isaac Fl. Bailey, of Utica, and
many others.
Az 1918 a. m Mr.. Gonkling's condition
was unchanged. He insists on rising
and walking about the room, but does Sc
III u delerium as he has not regained con.
seriousness.
Soon after 12 O'clock Mr.. Conkling rose
and walked up ana down, the room. He
called for Mr.. Ed Stokes, who was Sent
for, Mr., Conkling said: ed, it is nc
use. am gone. have iegght against
it, but ! can't stand it any loager.n
Mr.. Stokes said that in an interview
with Dir. Sands the doctor said the sen.
ator might live forty-eighs hours, but
that was doubtful. DIR. Sands is said to
have made the same remark to personal
friends Of his during the evening.
Coco. Gorham called t Mr.. Conk.
ling's. He is an intimate personal friend
and came on from Washington. The
general opinion among the groups who
gathered in the hotel Hobbies and dis,
cussed Mr.. Conkling's Illness was that
he could not possibly recover. At ]
O'clock Mrs. Conkling retired for the
night DR. Anderson at 1:15 u, M was
the only physician In the house.