The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-09-25
PRESIDENT RETURNS
Goes Under the Knife at In
dianapolis.
ABSCESS RESULTOF RECENT ACCIDENT
The Bruisc Received Mt PittShcld
Proved 10 lie More serious Than
at First Rcportcd-CnSe Is
Not Alarming.

gical operation. The accident which
befell him at Pittslield. Mass, when
trolley car crashed into his carriage is
responsible for the sudden ending of
the presidents trip and his being com
PEELED to undergo the operation. In
that accident his knee was badly
kruised, and an abscess soon formed
which gave him some trouble but not
enough at first to interfere with his
plans.
The hardships of his present trip,
however. aggravated the trouble and
DIR. Lung, his official physician, to-
gether with DR.. Richardson, who ac-
companed him on the trip, thought it
advisable to consult other doctors. Ac-
cordii &. DrS. Oliver and Cook were
called - the Columbia club. where the
president was entertained at luncheon.
They decided that an operation was
necessary and that it should he per-
formed at once The decision was ar
rived at before luncheon, but was not
allowed to interfere with that meal.
At the conclusion of the luncheon Sec
retary Cortelyou issued the following
statement to the press:
"As a result of the trolley accident
at Pittsfield. Mass, the president re-
ceived several serious bruises. one of
these on the left leg between the knee
and the ankle has developed into a
small abscess. The president is en-
tirely well otherwise and has contin-
ued to meet the several engagements
of his itinerary, but in view of the con-
tinuance of the abscess and out of an
abundance of caution Drs. Oliver and
Cook of indianapolis We're requested
to meet DR.. Lung, the presidents sur
geon. at indianapolis, DR.. Richardson
Of Washington 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. Nincent's hospital, in this
city. AS after the operation the pres
ident will require entire rest, proba-
bly, for at least ten days or two weeks,
1t has been necessary to cancel all the
remaining engagements of his trip,
and he will go directly from Indianap-
oils to Washington.
The physicians say that the case is
not in any way serious and that there
is no danger whatever. This state
ment is made so that no false rumors
may disturb the people and that they
may be authoritatively advised of the
exact nature of the case"
The announcement came as star
Ting surprise. The president is in such
good health otherwise that it was hard
to believe he was about to submit to
All operation. He had delivered an adj
dress earlier in the day before the
Spanish American War Veterans and
also had addressed the citizens of In
dianapolis from the balcony of the Co
iumbia club. He was the picture of
health, and many comments We're
made during the early part of the trip
upon how well he looked. 1t was no.
ticed however, that he walked with Il
slight limp.
The president was driven from the
clubhouse to St Vincent's hospital.
where he was taken to a private oper-
nting room. He was accompanied by
Secretary Cortelyou, Assistant Secre-
taries Loeb and Barnes, Governor Dur
bin and Senators Beveridge and Fair
banks. 1t was about 4:l5 o'clock
when the doctors began the operation.
1t was performed by DR.. John Oliver.
assisted by DR.. Cook.
The operation was finished and the
president was removed to his room.
He did not take anRsthetics. The
president is cheerful.
The hospital was guarded by a de-
tachment of twenty soldiers all of
whom served in the Spanish-American
war, under the command of Colonel
Russell b. Harrison. Colonel Harri-
son was instructed to arrange with the
sisters in charge of the hospital that
no information as to the pres dent
should be given out by telephone.
At the conclusion of the operation
the physicians authorized the follow
ing statement:
"As a result of the traumatism
(bruise) received in the trolley accident
at littstield, Mass there was found TO
be a circumscrlhed collection of per-
fectly purs serum in the middle third
of the left anterior tibial region, the
sac containing about two ounces,
which was removed.
The indications are that the presl-
dent should make n speedy recovery.
1t is absolutely Imperative however,
that he should remain quiet and re-
frnin from using the leg. The trouble
is not serious"
At 7:45 o'clock last evening the pres
ident, accompanied by members of his
Immediate party and escorted by Il
company of infantry, was carried on
a stretcher from st. ylncent's hospital
to his car, and the train left few
minutes later for Washington.
Tho presidents train will run on a
slow schedule of about thirty miles an
hour and is due to arrive at Washing
ton at 6:30 o'clock this evening. He
will be taken TO ODD Jackson place
where the temporary executive offices
are located.