Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-10-21

DR.. MANN.
Roentgsn rays should have peeh useu
to locate the bullet, DR.. Mann says
IN his report: 1--WE were often asked
why. after the operation, we did not
use the X-ray to find the bullet. IN
the first place, there were at no time
any signs that the bullet was doing
any harm. TO have used the A-ray
simply to have satisfied our curiosity
would not have been warrantable, as
It would have greatly disturbed ana
annoyed the patient and would nave
subjected him to a certain risk. HAD
there been signs of abscess FORMATION
then the X-rays could and would
have been used.
Dr. Gaylord's report of the autopsy
is lengthy and detailed Nothing OF
Importance was noticed about the
I wound on the chest caused by the
first shot, except that the area of
skin affected was found to be discol-
ored, greenish yellow and mottled,
and that there was n hemorrhage In
to the fat under the skin beneath
this area.
The abdominal wound showed no
evidences of necrosis or slOughing.
| No Inflammation of the peritoneum
was found. The wound in the front
wall of the stomach was found held
intact by silk suturcs," but the area
of stomach. wall around 1t was dis
colored, grayish, green, and easily
torn. The area around the wound on
the posterlor wall Of the stomach was
also dull gray color but the sutures
held the wound intact.
Behind the latter wound there was
spot of discoloration which showed
that the sloughlng process had gone
backward in the track of the bullet
The gangrenous cavity found behind
the stomach involved the pancrels
and the surrounding loose tissues
the bottom of the blind pocket being
formed by the upper end OF the left
kidney, which was found to be la-
: cerated at that point to the extent OF
about two ccntmetres.
Q The track of the bullet was ther
l traced through gangrenous tissue il
the fat behind the kidney to the mus
cles of the back wall Of the abdomen
the direction of the bullet, however
= could not be traced any further. TIL,
@ search for the bullet was most thor
ough and palnstaking, but in spite o
g all efforts II could not be found, ant
> the autopsy had to be discontinued
because the time allotted to 1t by tn
e family of the late President had al
II ready been exceeded.
I DR.. Gaylord adds: Gas we were So
II tisied that nothing could be game,
I. by locating the bullet, which had Sc
o up no reaction search for 1t was dis
n continued.
II Examination OF the heart muscl
Q. showed that It was affected with we
t, marked fatty degeneration, and II
l. some places the muscle tibres Shove
10 groups of dark brown granules, den
A. onstrating diseased condition of til
" cardiac muscle"
d DR.. Gaylord believes that the L,
y pair to the stomach wounds had bee
1t effected, and that the gangren
ut around those wounds does not seel
te to have been the result OF any we
defined cause, He attributes til
n, gangrenous condition Of the tlssu,
I'd solely to lowered vitality in the part
Is The appearance OF the gangrenou
d tissues shows that the gangrene too
x place shortly before death.
Is. In speaking of the causation of Il
e. cavity behind the stomach, he sa,
IN 1t must be largely attributed to II
us action of the missile. 1t may ha,
resulted from the rotation OF near
of spent ball, or from the simple concu
ry sion of the bullet as 1t passed in
IL the soft tissues.
rs The injury to the pancreas, produ
re ing a cavity within 1t, occurred duril
At the passage of the bullet. because h
m cavity was found walled off by a
he rim, in an advanced stage Of orgai
he zation. There was no leakage of pa
to creatic fluid, into the surrounding I
on sues. The extensive gangrene Of t
pancreas seems to have been an 1
lat portant factor in the case. though