The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-29
VIEWS OF LOCAL SURGEONS.
Men That Operated on the Presiden,
Are Not Alarmed.

DR.. John H. Oliver. who operated on
President Roosevelt while he was here in
st. vincent's Hospital, and DR.. George j.
Cook, who assisted in the operation. do
not think the operation performed yester-
day in Washington by Drs. Rixey and
Shaffer has serious significance Both dis
couraged the impression that might prevail
that the Presidents life could be in the
slightest danger, or that the loss of the
limb might result. While neither is fully
informed OF the exact condition Of the
Presidents wound at the present time, both
are sufficiently familiar with the nature of
the trouble to be free from apprehension
as to the ultimate recovery of the Presi-
dent Both hold that the hurt he received
at Pfttsield, Mass, and which was care
fully examined by them and DR.. Henry
jameson here, Is quite likely to be a source
of trouble to the President for some time.
in case 1t does not heal speedily; but nei-
ther thinks the discomfort will be other than
period OF continuance of the local trou-
BILE and a consequent inability of the Pres
ident to use the limb for some time. DIR.
Oliver and DR.. Cook explain that there is
nothing unusual in the fact that a second
operation for the same relief of the Presi-
dent had to be made. The bruise Is of such
nature that the cavity from which the
serum was extracted was quite likely to
fill again, necessitating second operation.
second operation, said DR.. Oliver last
night, az should be inclined to think that
the cavity filed once more with the serum,
which was probably free from poison but
which caused a putting of the section in
jured and much pain. / am not at all sur
prised that such is the case, for in wounds
nat Is to Re looked eSOnS for ns S OF the
necessitate a second operation either by
aspiration by free incsion. With the
exception of considerable pain and an in
tohf fn rrGo ho liroh for ina
do not apprehend that the President will
experience serious trouble. There is nc
danger to life, and none that the limb will
have to be amputated. / feared some in
President OF be taken at once to Wash
ington. In view of the fact that l am un-
| acquainted with the exact condition of the
wound at the present time / would prefer
not to make a further statement"
DR.. George j. Cook. when informed of the
statement made by DR.. oliver, said: Thai
Is my opinion exactly. There is certainly
no danger existing to the Presidents life
that he might lose the limb affected.
think 1t probable that the bone may be In.
{ured :; since: in pqpuar pia phrraseology ra the
was separated from the bone for a dis
tance, making the hurt very painful. There
is nothing remarkable in the fact that the
cavity filled again with serum and caused
renewed pain. / am not at all surprised al
that, for ii was to be expected when the
nature of the wound is taken into consid
tTdllOu
DR.. Henry Jameson expressed himself a.
| follows: 1T was feared by DIR. Oliver
| DR.. Cook and myself that there was some
| danger of another operation being neces
sary, and that was one of the reasons the
President was hurried back to Washing
| ton. The serum formed between the bon,
| and the pereosteum and was liable, it wa,
| thought by us, to again fill the cavity /
| is not improbable that there may be al
/ injury to the bone. but, not being ac
| quainted with the details of the operations
/ am not prepared to make a statemen
| about that. There is, of course, no danger
| to the Presidents life or any danger tha
| he may lose the limb affected"
| DR.. Newton NJ Shaffer, of New York, who
1 assisted Dr. Rixey in the second opera
| ton, is one of the best known surgeons il
| New York city. He is surgeon-in-chief o
| the New York Hospital for the care o.
| Crippled and Deformed Children, consulting
| orthopaedic surgeon st. Lukes and Presby
terian hospitals. professor of orthopaedi,
| surgery Medical College of Cornell Uni
| versity, consulting surgeon New York In
| firmary for Women, fellow of the New
| York Academy of Medicine, member of tn,
| Congress of American Physicians and Sur
| geons and a member of the New York Neu
| rological Society. His Office in New Yorl
| Is on East Thirty-eighth street and he ha.
| one of the widest surgical practices in til,
| city.