Evening star., 1901-09-07
AN UNFAVORABLE SYMPTOM
SURGEONS VIEWS ON RISE IN PRESI.
DENTS TEMPERATURE.

They Believe, However, That the
Wounds Are Not Necessarily Fatal
Early Operation Was Favorable.
Two Of Washington's most eminent sur
geons-J. Ford Thompson and w. P. Carr
believe that the Presidents wounds are not
necessarily fatal Both physicians, how
ever, say that the noted rise in tempera-
ture during the early morning hours is an
unfavorable symptom. but may be caused
by reaction from the necessarily nervous
strain of the operation.
"Basing my conclusion on the history Of
the operation which has appeared in the
newspapers, President Mckinley ought to
get WELL" said DR.. Thompson to a Star re-
porter this morning. Il do not see any
thing in that wound which should necessa-
rily make 1t fatal. OF course, 1t Is q very
serious wound. but the fact of the early
operation makes the result exceedingly IA
vorable. This took place before there could
possibly have been any infection of the
wound. I do not like the increase in tenn
perature in 80 short a time. but still 102 de-
grees Is not very dangerous. II, however.
his temperature should keep at that point
during the day. or go up higher. it would
be more serious. Very frequently after an
operation of that character the tempera-
ture may go up to 1O2 without signifying
anything very dangerous. The decrease In
the rapidity Of the pulse from 120 to ITO
during the time the temperature went up
is a favorable sign."
DR.. Thompson said 1t was most fortunate
that the first bullet had been detected, as a
second wound would undoubtedly have
made recovery impossible under any cir
cumstances. The doctor said he felt very
much gratified to know that DR.. Roswell
Although DR.. Park did not arrive in time
to perform the operation, his later arrival
and future attendance would insure the
best surgical skill the country could afford.
He regarded DR.. Park as one Of the most
eminent surgeons In the country.
DR.. W. P. Carr says the high temperature
of the President is cause for uneasiness.
Although" he added, 'it is extremely diff
ficuH and practically impossible to form an
opinion Of the real condition without hav-
ing look at the patient. The high tenn
perature may not mean anything beyond a
temporary nervous reaction as a result Of
the operation. However, it may be the be-
ginning of septic Infection.
II thought last night the President would
get WELL" continued DR.. Carr. ''but this
rise in temperature makes the formation
Of an opinion at this time and from this
distance almost impossible. II 1t is only a
reaction his temperature will go down
other hand. il it should go higher during
this time It would undoubtedly indicate
that poisonous secretions are at work in
the wound, in which case his condition and
encouraging"
DR.. Carr also rejoiced at the detection of
the first bullet. He said there was not q
place along the breast bono which, II tho
bullet had gone through, would not have
made q fatal wound.
Health Omcer Woodward's Views.
DR.. William @. Woodward. the District
health officer, spoke most Interestingly this
morning Of the Presidents wounds when
interviewed by a reporter for The Star.
He said:
$50 far as I can Judge from such pub
iished reports Of President McKinley's in
juries as have come to my attention, the
two wounds inflicted are SO different in
their character that they must be consid-
cred separately. The wound in the chest
itself dangerous to life. It may, however.
have some weight in determining the bal
ance between the vital powers Of the pa
tient and the inroads Of disease, should
the abdominal wound prove to be infected.
The abdominal wound. it is needless to say.
Is dangerous. When, however, the possi-
bilities Of gunshot wound Of the abdomen
are considered this particular injury Is not
grave There seems to have been no shock,
and no injury to the liver, spleen. kidneys,
pancreas, intestines, spinal column, or to
the spinal cord So far as reports indicate
the hemorrhage from this wound and, in
fact, the hemorrhage from both wounds
together, have not exhausted the patient
The gravity of the wound in the stomach
itself depends to great degree on the ex-
tent to which, il at all, it allowed the con-
tents OF the organ to escape into the alb
dOminal cavity. In the absence Of any
definite statement on this point, and re-
garding such bulletins as have been pub
lished, 1t does not appear probable that
this occurred. II, as reported. the bullet
has lodged in the muscles Of the back, the
fact that 1t was not extracted Is. other
things being equal. not of great Importance
''The great danger to be apprehended now
Is sepsis, the symptoms Of which are or
dinarily designated by the laity as blood
poisoning. The bullet may have been in
ling, or 1t may have carried infected organ
isms from the clothing through which 1t
passed. or from the surface Of the body in
to the abdominal cavity: or infected mat
the stomach. II such infection has taken
place to any considerable degree the con-
sequences win be either peritonitis or an
abscess at the point at which the bullet has
lodged, or both. Peritonitis would add to
the gravity Of the case, although even then
It would not be hopeless. The danger to
bullet would depend on its location. II It
was so located that the pus from it would
find its way into the abdominal cavity 1t
might result In peritonitis. even after the
escaped infection. II. however. the alb
scess developed nearer the surface Of the
body it might probably without great dam
ger be opened and drained from the back.
The complications suggested in the fore
going paragraph are, 1t must be remem-
bered, mere possibilities. Whether they
win occur or not no human power can say.
It Is question Of waiting and Watching.
The fact that the temperature has risen q
little today is not OF serious moment.
Neither IN the fact that the patient is some
what weaker. The limitations upon tho
diet are probably sufficient to account for
that, and It Is to be expected that the loss
Of strength from that cause alone will be
even greater. although the wound may
pursue an uneventful course toward recov-
cry. All things being considered the
chances. am glad to say, seem to be in
favor Of the President"
THE PREsIDEN1.s WOUND.
DIR. J. Ramsey hewitt Says There IL