The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-12
THE BULLET WOUNDS HEALED
The President Now Takes His Beef Juice
With Keenest Relish.
MANY EVIDENCES OF IMPROVEMENT NOTED

his allowance from one to three tea
spoonful and also the fact that the wound
is becoming more healthy"
Dr. McBurney explained this afternoon
that the slight irritation of the wound
still remaining should pass away within
the next twenty-four hours.
The President continues in excellent
spirits but he confessed to one of the
attendants today that he was getting
lonesome He requested that he be plac-
ed in another bed. A depression had
formed in the mattress on which he had
lain since he was taken to the Milburn
house and had caused some discomfort
Another bed was provided and this even
ing he was carefully moved from one to
the other without difficulty. He has asked
several times if there was any news
which he should know, but inquiries, es-
pecially about public matters, are dis
couraged and the rigid inhibition against
the admission of any one except his wife
and faithful Secretary has not been re-
laxed. 1t is now virtually decided that
no attempt will be made to remove the
President to Washington until he has
completely recovered and in a general
way it can be said that there is no like
lihood that this will be until October
The physicians are all agreed that no
attempt should be made to take the Presi-
dent to Washington while the probability
of an oppressive hot spell in the capital
city remained.
Mrs. Mckinley still displays the same
fortitude she has shown since the tragedy
occurred. She went out for drive again
today and appeared bright and cheerful.
CABINET MEMBERS CONFER.
The five members of the Cabinet who
are here talked over pending public ques-
tions for over an hour today at the
Glenny House adjoining the Milburn resi-
dence, but it is understood that no ac-
tion resulted. The South American sit
uation was gone over and there was an
exchange Of opinion regarding the legal
phases of the case against the would be
assassin. 1t can be stated again in the
most positive manner that there is no
conflict of authority between the State
and Federal authorities for the possession
of the prisoner. The members of the Cab
met, Attorney General Knox and Secreta-
ry Gage, as we'll as those who are here,
ere unanimously of the opinion that CZol
goszs offense is against the State of New
York and Erie county and that there is
no Federal statute to cover the case. Dis
trict Attorney Penny consulted Secreta-
ry Root today as to procedure. He did
not seek Mr.. Roots opinion as Secretary
of War, but as one of the ablest lawyers
in New York State. 1t is understood that
the local authorities are only awaiting the
result of the shot to formulate their
charge against the assailant of the Presi-
dent After this afternoon bulletin, Sec
retary Hay announced that he felt war.
ranted in leaving for Washington and he
left tonight for the capitol
DIR. McBURNEY EXPLAINS.
DIR. McBurney today explained the
character of the irritation which had
made the re-opening of the incision neces-
sary. 'It was caused" said he, "just as
we stated, by the fact that a piece OF
the Presidents coat was carried into the
body by the bullet-not far, not over an
inch. The bullet then slipped lon through
the fat. The fra gment of the coat was
of course removed when the operation
was performed but every surgeon under
stands that even though every foreign
, particle is removed, tissues exposed to
contamination are apt to show irritation.
That was so in this case. When the
stitches were taken out the wound open
ed of itself"
WAS any foreign substance found with
in?"
mot PARTICLE he answered emphati-
cally. 'The wound was not again sewed
up" he added 'it will close and heal by
granulation.''
''Is the opening Of wounds after such
an operation unusual?' he was asked
mot in a gunshot wound where foreign
substances can be carried into the body, -
he replied. Wherever contamination is
possible that is liable to occur OF course
in cases of simple operations, where clean
instruments are used nothing of the sort
should happen. When this irritation oc-
ours pus or serum is sometimes found
when the wound is opened"
WAS any pus found in this case?"
mo, not a suggestion of pus. There
was thin fluid exuded as a result of
the inflammation, as was to be expected"
THE INTERIOR WOUNDS HEALED
DR.. McBurney said that the interior
wounds had healed. That he said, was
proved by the manner in which the Pres
ident had digested the beef juice given
to him last night. He said the President
had relished the nourishment given Him
and that tomorrow he would be given
white OF egg and perhaps something else.
Dr. Mann, who performed the original
operation last Friday. and who did the
dressing of the wound last night con-
Cured in the expression of confidence
which the other doctors had given.
What was done last night" said DIR.
Mann, was merely the usual dressing of
the incision Of the abdomen requisite to
Keep 1t In proper condition. The incision
Is about hve inches in length just above
the navel horizontal and in line with the
body There is no cross incision. The
ent was laid open carefully and some
antiseptic gauze inserted The results
were entirely satisfactory"
DR.. MANN's EXPLANATION.
DR.. Mann was asked as to the rela-