The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-09
THE OUTLOOK BRIGHT
NOW STRONGLY BELIEVED THE
PRESIDENT WILL LIVE.
EVERY WORD REASSURING.
EVERY BULLETIN BEARS THE I'M
PRESS OF GOOD CHEER.

Eminent Surgeons Who Watch by
the Bedside of the Chief Magistrate
Agree That Every Change That
Has Occurred Has Been for the
Better-The President Has Four
He urs of Natural Sleep-RoOseveIt,
Against His Wishes, May Have to
Control the Helm of State-rhe
President Confidence in His Secre-
Buffalo, Sept. S.-Through this quiet,
peaceful Sabbath every word that
came from the big vine-clad house in
Delaware avenue, in which the stricken
chief magistrate of the nation lies bat
fling for life, was reassuring, and to-
night the chances of his recovery are
so greatly improved that all of those
who have kept the patient vigil at his
bedside feel strongly that his life will
be spared.
The developments of last night and
to-day were dreaded, but hour after
hour passed and the distinguished pa
tient, struggling there beneath the
watchful eyes of physicians and train
ed nurses, showed not an unfaVorable
symptom. Five times during the day
the eminent physicians and surgeons
assembled for consultation and each
time the verdict was unanimous that
what change had occurred was for the
better. Not the slightest premonitory
symptoms of peritonitis appeared and
the fresh hope born with the morning
grew stronger and stronger az
the day advanced, until to-
ward evening the confidence expressed
in the Presidents, recovery seemed al
most too sanguine.
DIR. Charles McBurney, the famous
New York surgeon, who had been sum-
moned in consultation, after thor
ough examination in which he said he
had found not a single unfaVorable
symptom, joined in the afternoon bull
letin which stated that the Presidents
condition was satisfactory to all the
physicians present. 1t is not strange,
therefore, that the Vice President, the
members of the cabinet and other dis
tinguished visitors who called came
away with lighter hearts and gave ex-
preston to the most optimistic senti-
ments.
Thousands Hear Cheering News.
The encouraging news spread over
the Exposition City with great rapid
ity and thousands came in carriages,
in street cars and afoot, TO learn for
themselves of the faith and confidence
that existed about the Milburn house.
The brightness of the day, with its
colo, bracing atmosphere, only added
to the general cheerfulness and when
a score of newsboys darted into the
crowd about o'clock shouting "Ex-
ira! The President will live" 1T was
with difficulty that they could suppress
the shouts of thanksgiving that rose
in their throats.
And vet, despite all this optimism,
the President is by no means out of
danger Not one of the physicians, not
one of his advisers who is admitted to
the inner councils, has the temeriry TO
go as far as to declare that he is. But
if he continues to improve for one more
days the danger of peritonitis Will have
practically disappeared.
Yesterday one of the doctors thought
rty-eight hours would be the limit of
the danger from that source, but his
more conservative colleagues believe at
least twenty-four hours, possibly thir-
ty-six, from this time, must elapse be-
fore the possibility, of peritonitis shall
have vanished. That disposed of, still
other complications may arise. Blood
poisoning might set in or an abscess
from where the bullet is imbedded in
the muscles of the back.
Ball Not Yet Extracted.
Thus far the ball of the assassin.
which is still in the body. gives the
physicians no anxiety. But if the
slightest Inflammation appears in the
region of the lead, it will be immedi-
ately extracted. No difficulty is antic-
ipated in this regard. One of Edison's
best X-ray machines and his most skill
full and trusted operator, DR.. II. A.
knolls, arrived to-day. The batteries
were charged and the machine is ready
for instant use. With it the physicians
say there is not the slightest doubt that
the ball can be located perfectly for an
operation. They do not deem it advis-
able to sap any of the Presidents
strength at this time. All his reserve
force is needed now to resist the dan
ger of peritonitis and septic poisoning.
Besides, if Inflammation does not set
IN around the bullet it will soon become
encysted
All the effects of the ether which was
administered when the operation was
performed on the President at the eX-
position grounds had disappeared this
morning, and the Presidents mind was
perfectly clear during the times that
he was awake to-day.
To-day for the first time he enjoyed
natural sleep. While he was still more
or less under the influence of an an
aesthetic his slumber was restless and
disturbed. and did him little real good.
Between and o'clock he had the SOL
ace of natural slumber for about four
hours, and the physicians stated Off
clally that his sleep had been quiet
and reposeful," and that it had helped
the sufferer a great deal. To-day, also.
tor the first time nourishment was ad-
mlnistered. 1t was in liquid form and
was injected hypodermically to avoid
the possibility of irritating the walls of
the stomach. The exterior wound was
dressed this morning and is progressing
satisfactorily.
Reflect the Hopeful Outlook.
All day the members of the cabinet
and the others associated with the
resident in public life came solicitous-
~ and went away almost jubilantly,
an rejecting the hopeful outlook at the
Mllburn House. Vice President Roose-
Velt received the earlier bulletins, and
aIter going to church hurried to the
residence. There he was joined by SEN
aIor Hanna. They came away togeth-
er and 70