Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-03

which was explained to him, and he took
he announcement Of his dangerous condi-
ton quietly and calmly At $40 pm COM
plains of pains in both feet and ankles, but
8 otherwise comfortable; $50 pm. pulse
40 and respiration % per minute. The
President has Just vomited; Is free from
pain, but has sensation of numbness I'm
hands and arms and wants them rubbed.
The respiration is abdominal in character
and is more full on the right side than on
the left; 6:3o pm, pulse 100 and respira-
ton % per minute: occasional signing respi-
ration. The President is cheerful and in
clir ed to talk to his family and friends.
Commentary ON the State of the
President.
In spite of the cheerful condition OF the
spirits of the patient. as mentioned above.
our prognoss Of his case at this time was
of the most discourgaing character. He was
evidently bleeding internally. and unless re-
action would soon take place 1t was evil
der thy impossible that he could long sur
vive. Mrs Garfield was absent at Elberon,
n. j. She had been telegraphed for and was
coming as fast as the express train could
bring her to Washington. and yet We had
grave and well-founded fears that he would
die before her arrival.
Our patient lay on the wounded side to
facilitate drainage from the wound. He had
a signing respiration, a feeble and scarcely
pocratic in character; frequent movements
of the lower limbs, with regurGitations from
the stomach. Our anxieties increased with
each hour. No indications of reaction could
be discovered by the most sanguine. We
measured the time with beating hearts,
hoping that the illustrious sufferer might
again see the face he loved so well. The
President several times made inquiry as to
the cause of Mrs. Garfield's delay. and, APP
preciating the gravity of his injury. was ex-
tremely anxious lest she should be too late
for an intelligent interview. Upon her ar
rival-at O:iO pm.-he requested that their
interview should be entirely private.
Thus the PROSTATE and apparently dying
husband met his wife. She remained by his
side not more than five minutes. The words
OF love, hope and cheer given him are
known only to themselves and to God. Ii is
a fact. however. that within an hour the
Presidents symptoms began to Indicate re-
action.
The President rarely spoke of his condi-
ton. seldom expressed want, and only
once. I'm my hearing. referred to the shoot
ing. he asked the Secretary OF State, In
the afternoon. the name OF the assassin
On being told. he said: why should he
have wished to shoot me?' 1t was explain
ed that he had probably been disappointed
in seeking some office.
Commentary continued from $3.50 pm.
July to morning of July 4. The favorable
reaction that took place In the condition of
the President at $50 pm, July ., gave re-
lief to the feelings of the attending surgeons
that may be imagined but scarcely ade-
Quately described. The hemorrhage from
the splenic artery. and which was probably
due to injuries received from the bullet by
the mesenteric arteries. was spontaneously
arrested, Just as our patient was on the
brink OF death. This favorable condition of
our patient continued during the night. and
on the morning of July his temperature
was $50 mormaD; pulse. l26: respirations
Is per minute. Drs Bliss and Reyburn re-
manned on duty all of July and 3. Col
Rockwell. Gen. Swain, several of the cab
met Miss Edison and Stewart Crump were
all at hand TO render any needed aid. The
President enjoyed, upon the whole, consid-
cradle refreshing sleep. broken about every
half hour by reorganization of the contents
of the stomach. The morning of July 8
found him comparatively cheerful and hope
Jul, and with a full appreciation OF the sur
rcundings. At this time he inquired OF me
what his chances OF recovery were, saying
in his bright and cheerful way. that he de-
sired frank and full statement-that he
was prepared to die and reared not 10 leafn
the worst. He added that personally he
was willing to lay down the heavy burden
thrust upon him. / replied:
A Chance for Recovery.
'Mr. President. your injury is formidable
In my judgment. You have a chance for
recovery"
He placed his hand upon my arm. and,
turning his face more fully toward me,
said. with a cheerful smile:
We'll. doctor. we'll take that chance"
1t was perfectly apparent that there were
mere physicians in attendance upon the
President than were needed, and DIR. Bliss
determined 20 ascertain the Presidents
wishes in the matter. On the morning of
July ), after the morning consultation and
dressing Of the wound, Dr. Bliss went TO
the President and said: Mr.. President,
there are a number of the physicians of the
city who have kindly volunteered their SER
vices and have been associated with me
through the day and night since your in
jury, and have contributed largely to the
prospects Of your recovery. Now that Mrs.
Garfield has arrived ana You are SO COM
Portable, We wish to retire from the ca sc
and ask you to select your permanent
surgeon and his counsel" The President
replied:
Il wish you to retain charge Of my case
and select such counsel You may think
best. Your judgment is better than mine
on the subject DR.. Bliss then said if IL
was agreeable to the President and Mrs
Garfield, he would select Surgeon General
Barnes. L. S. A, Surgeon Woodward, L. S
A, and DR.. Robert Reyburn as his counsel
giving his reasons in each case for making
"A selection. The President replied:
Doctor, your selection is eminently salts
factory
DIR. Bliss then requested permission TO
thank the medical gentlemen in the name
of the President and Mrs. Garfield, which
was accordingly done"