The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-29
BONE SLIGHTLY AFFECTED
Incision Reveals Deeper Trouble
Than Before Noted.
Thorough Drainage Established and No
Serious Results Are Anticipated
by the Physicians.
DR.. RIXEY IS THE OPERATOR
DR.. Lung and Other Eminent
Surgeons Assist Him.
Rise in Temperature and Increased Local
Symptoms Showed the Necessity
for the Operation.
VIEWS OF LOCAL PHYSICIANS
Men Who Operated on Roosevelt
Are Not Alarmed. I
Say The Second Operation In Such Cases
is Very Frequent-More lncon.
venience Than Danger.
Men Who Operated on Roosevelt
Are Not Alarmed. I
Say The Second Operation In Such Cases
is Very frequent-More lncon.
venience Than Danger.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2-Another opera
ton was performed to-day on the abscess
on the left leg of President Roosevelt. In
the former operation a simple needle was
used to relieve the trouble. but to-day the
surgeons with a knife made an incision into
the small cavity. exposing the bone, which
was found to be slightly affected. The
Presidents case has been progressing salts
factorily, but 1t is believed by the physi-
clans that the further operation made to-
day will hasten his complete recovery.
While none of the doctors is willing to be
quoted. they give the most positive assur-
ance that there Is not the least cause for
alarm and say on the contrary there is
every indication of a speedy recovery. that
the area of bone affected is very slight, and
will not result in any impairment of the
Presidents limb, and that there is no evil
dence whatever OF any matter that would
produce blood poisoning. They con-
fidently expect that the President will be
on his feet within a reasonable time. and
with his robust constitution to assist re-
covery. soon will be himself again.
DIR. Newton NJ. Shaffer, of New York,
who long has been acquainted with the
Roosevelt family and has attended the
Presidents children at various times. and
who also is a well-known bone specialist,
joined the Presidents physicians in their
morning consultation at 10 o'clock. 1t was
noticed that there had been a slight rise
In the Presidents temperature and an in
crease in local symptoms, and the con-
clusion was reached that the patients re-
covery would be hastened by making an
incision of the wound for the purpose of
roIf 10 I'm
which was present. and also to drain the
wound. The operation was performed be-
tween and o'clock in the afternoon. An
application OF cocaine was used to allay
the pain. The President stood the opera
ton very well. and subsequently expressed
his satisfaction at the successful result Dr.
Rixey. the surgeon general of the navy
performed the operation, assisted by Dr.
Lung. the Presidents regular physician.
DR.. O'Reilley. who also was present with
the other physicians. is the surgeon gen.
erai Of the army, and heretofore has been
consulted regarding the case. Dr. Edward
r. Stitt, another of those present, is in
charge Of the Naval Museum of Hygiene
and Naval Medical School
The physicians tonight took a roseate
view of the Presidents prospects for get
ting out again. He has become somewhat
restive because OF his close confinement.
and the physicians are considering the ad-
visibility OF permitting him to take a ride
In few days. The physicians say the
question now is simply one of the healing
of the wound. and reiterate that this will
be hastened by the operation made to-day
DR.. Shaffer called at the temporary
White House tonight for a social visit and
found the President in the best of spirits
The doctor will remain in Washington until
tomorrow and in the morning will again
see the President This. however, he said
tonight. was entirely of his own choice, as
he preferred not to travel during the night
and there Was nothing particular 10 call
him 10 New York for tomorrow.
At the White House at 10 ID. m. ii was
stated that the President was doing very
WELL and that no additional statement
would be Issued Late in the evening DIR.
Shaffer. while he declined TO discuss gen.
orally the Presidents case, authorized in
the most positive manner the statement
that there need not be the least cause for
anxiety or alarm regarding his condition,
but said on the contrary he could give
every assurance Of the belief that the Presi-
dent would soon recover.