The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-08
PRESIDENT OPERATED ON
He Was Suffering From an Abscess,
Result Of Pitts6eId Accident.
The WESTERN TRIP ABANDONED

The Wound Made Surgical Treatment
Necsssary-No Serious Results Looked
For-0perstion Performed at St. Vim.
cents Hospital In ianapslis-Serum
Removed From the Shin.
Indianapolis. Ind.-President Roose-
welt underwent a surgical operation in
iSt. vincent's Hospital In this city for
ian abscess which resulted from an In.
Jury he received In his recent accident
in Pittsaeld. Mass. and the continu-
ance of his tour through the North
west has been abandoned.
The news came with thrilling sud-
denness, when the announcement first
was made that instead Of proceeding
upon his journey to Fort Wayne and
Milwaukee. the Executive himself had
determined to cancel all his dates. Mt
once enter the hospital. and the opera
ton over, return to Washington.
The operation took place at 3.45
o'clock. and lasted only n short time.
Then he was taken to private room
in the hospital to rest. After taking
light meal at 7.3O o'clock he was con-
veyed on a stretcher to his train. which
had been backed up on ~" near the
hospital. and at $50 o'clock the train
left for Washington.
After this operation Secretary Cor
telyou gave out this official statement:
AT 3.15 d. m. the President went
from the Columbia Club to st. Vim.
cents Hospital In his own carriage.
and shortly after he was In the hospi-
tai the operation required was per-
formed by DR.. George II. Oliver. OF In
dianapolis, In consultation with the
Presidents physician. DR.. George A.
Lung. and DR.. George ]. Cook. DR..
Henry Jameson and DR.. J. ]. Richard
son. At the conclusion of the opera.
tlon the physicians authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
"'As q result of the traumatism
(bruise) received in the trolley accident
at PIttsfield. Mass. there was found to
be q circumscribed collection Of per-
fectly pure serum In the middle third
OF the left anterior tib!al region. the
sac containing about two ounces. which
was removed.
1.-The indications are that the Presl-
dent should make speedy recovery. 1t
Is absolutely imperative. however. that
he should remain quiet and refrain
from using the leg. The trouble Is not
serious. but temporarily disabling
GEORGE B. CORTELYOU."
President Roosevelt all along has ap-
peared to be In his usual health. and
the first intlmation that the members
of his party had that he was suffering
from any injury was when Secretary
Cortelyou at the conclusion Of the Co.
lumbIa Club speech. which the Presi-
dent delivered before $1,000 people.
gave out this official statement:
"As q result of the trolley accident
at Pittsfeld, Mass, the President re-
ceIved several serious bruises. One Of
these. on the left leg between the knee
and ankle. has developed into q small
abscess. The President Is entirely
we'll otherwise. and has continued to
meet the several engagements Of bis
itinerary. but, in view Of the contin-
uance Of the abscess and out Of an
abundance Of caution. Drs. Oliver and
Cook, Of Indianapolis. were requested
to meet DIR. Lung. the Presidents sur
geon. at Indianapolis. DR.. Richardson.
of Washington, D. c.. being also one
of the number.
I'm the opinion of the doctors. the
trouble necessitates an operation.
which they think should be performed
at once at st. Vincent's Hospital In this
city. As. after the operation. the
President will require entire rest. prob
ably for at least ten days or two
weeks. 1t has been necessary to cancel
all the remaining engagements Of bis
trip. and lie will 60 directly from In
dianapolis to Washington.
THE physicians say that the case Is
not In any way serious and that there
Is no danger whatever. This statement
is made 40 that no false rumors may
disturb the people and that they may
be authoritatively advised Of the exact
nature Of the case.
GEORGE B. CORTELYOU."
Secretary OF War Root. who hastened
to Buffalo when President Mckinley
was shot last year and was almost con.
stantly with him In his last days at the
Milburn home. was present In the oper-
ating room when Dr. Oliver performed
the operation upon President Roose-
velt.
The operation was simple. No knife
was used. DR.. Oliver handled needle
syringe known as m aspirator and
made puncture on the bruise. pierc-
ing the cyst. Sister Stella. the Sister
Superior Of the hospital. was In the
room. and three nurses In the regula.
tion garb. DR.. Lung. DR.. Richardson.
DR.. Cook and DR.. Henry jameson as
sisted at the operation. Secretary Root.
Secretary Cortelyou and Secretary
Loeb were the only others In the room.
The statement authorized by the ply
sicians after the operation told Of Its
complete success. The first public an-
nouncement made at the hospital was
by Colonel Harrison. who came out on
the steps and announced at 4.30 that
the President had just been carried to
a private room to rest. and that the
operation was successful. Colonel Har-
rlsOn said the President was joking
and laughing with his attendants as he
was being carried to his room.
The bruise on the Presidents left
shinbone was one of dozen which he
received when he was thrown out OF
Seven Moro Forts Captured.