The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-19
SURGEONS NOT PERFECT
CANNOT ALWAYS DE CORRECT IN
CASES LIKE MIR. MKINLEY's.
Medical Journals Review of Trent
ment of the Distinguished Patient
Science Not at Fault.

NEW YORK, Sept. 1s.-The Forthcoming
edition of the New York Medical Journal
will discuss the case of the late President
Mckinley in a lengthy article. 1t viii say:
1T is a melancholy consolation to know
that the fatal termination or President NC
klnleys case was not IN the slightest de-
gree due TO any omission to give MIN the
1ull benefit Of all the present resources OF
Our art, and there is nothing humiliGting
ia the fact that the favorable prognosis
which for five six days seemed justified
should have finally proved fallacious.
1t is expected that an official report or
the case viii be given 10 the profession In
a short time. Pending the issue OF the re-
port, let us briefly review the case. AT the
time OF his assassination President Mchln-
ley was probably In better physical condi-
ton than most men OF his age who Iead
seGcntary life. 80 lar as Is known, ne
was free from all organic diseases, though
MS vitality may have been somewhat IN
paired by the fearful mental strain 10
mich the duties OF his office and Its re
sponsibillueS and anXieties had long sub
Jected him. He was suddenly cut down oy
a cruel wound, but he bore II bravely anu
there was little OF the condition known as
shock. This freedom from shock was cor
rectly interpreted showing that no con-
siderable Internal hemorrhage was going
on. Without delay ne was taken 10 we'll
equipped hospital and attended by surgeons
OF Worldwide reputation and vast expert
ence. The operation itself was performed
by an exceedingly capable gynaecologlst
who was assisted by equally capable gen
eral surgeons. 1t IS perfectly certain that
there was no technical fault in the opera
ton and IL may be said with equal positive
ness that il would have Verged on madness
TO prOlOng the search Tor the bullet after II
had been asCertained that II had not in
ncted any very grave injury beyond that
OF the stOmach-ascertained that is TO say,
within the limitations OF WarrantabIe
efforts.
1.-The operation having been finished with
out seriously taxing the distinguished pa
tients vital powers, there followed at least
five days of freedom from serious symp-
toms. This we say with full appreciation
OF the fact that the record OF the pulse and
respiration seemed ominous, for the high
rate might have been due to any number OF
conditions not In themselves OF grave i'm
portance. A hopeful view was taken, there
fore, and quite naturally. II Is easy 10 be
wise after the event and to say that in this
respect the surgeons were In error; err they
certainly did as the result SHOWS, but 70 cir
in such way argues no lncapaclty or
aVOidaDle lack Of JudgmCnt-lt simply, We
repeat, illus trates the fact that the medical
man is not perfect being.
"Gangrcne was probably established TWO
or three days before the fatal issue fol-
lowed, but II could hardly have occurred
very early without giving rise 10 more dis
quoting phenomena than augmentation OF
the pulse and respiration rates, which, as
we have said before, might well have been
Que TO some comparatively unlmportant
disturbance. To the wound OF the kidney
we attribute little Importance further than
arises from the fact that II made one more
traumatic surface 10 become grangrenous-
There Is said 10 have been tIlnlng degree
OF haematuria OF brief duration, but not
enough 10 indicate very serious renal
lesion.
President may be set down as unique in
some OF its features. not 50 much, perhaps,
as regards the actual traumatlsm inflicted
by the assassin's bullet. as with regard TO
process that blotted out his lair prospects
OF recovery