The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-24
PRESIDENT DISABLED. Small Access 2atween the Knee and Ankle of the
 Left Leg Removed.
THE OPERATION SUCCESSFUL L
PERFORMED AT ST. VINCENT'S
 HOSPITAL IN CINCINNATI.

HOSPITAL IN CINCINNATI. Official Statement That There is No Danger Ehateyer but it Is Absolutely Imperative That He Remnin Quiet and Not Use the Leg An Remaining En- agreements of Present Trip Cancelled and President Leaves for Washington -Abcess Due to a Bruise of Which He Received Several Serious Ones in the PItisfieId Collision.
 Indianapolis, Sept 23.-President Roosevelt's western trip came to an untimely end in this city to-day. He was found to be suffering from swell ing in the left leg, between the knee and the ankle, which required immedi- ate surgical attention, and instead ot being taken to the train to continue his journey to Fort Wayne and Mil waukee he was conveyed to St. Vim cents hospital, where he was operated on. The operation occurred at 3:45 this afternoon and lasted only short time. Then he was taken to a private rom in the hospital to rest.
 After taking light luncheon at 7:30 D. m. he was conveyed on stretcher to his train, which had backed up near the hospital, and at ten minutes before eight o'clock the train left for Wash ington.
 The first intimation that anything was wrong came in the form of rumors to the great crowd which was patiently waiting near the Columbia club and the soldiers and sailors monument for the president to appear. It was about 2:3O, half an hour after the time set for the president to leave the city, that few of the favored ones in the crowd re- ceived intimations that the president was sick, and that the rest of the trip probably would be abandoned. These statements were as promptly denied as fast as they gained currency, but soon the rumors began to take on a more serious character. 'The president has burst blood vessel" was whisper that went around among the police of ficers and soldiers. Another was that he was shot.
 These rumors were finally set at rest by the Issuing of an official statement as follows:
 "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- tireIy we'll otherwise and has continued to meet the several engagements of his itinerary, but in view of the continu- ance of the abscess and out of an abun- dance ofcaution Drs. Oliver and Cook, of Indianapolis, were requested to meet Dr. Lung. the presidents surgeon, at Indianapolis Dr. Richardson, of Wash ington, D. C., being also one of the number. In 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 presi- dent will require entire rest, probably for at least ten days or two weeks, it has been necessary to cancel all the remaining engagements of his trip, and he will go directly from Indianapolis to Washington this evening.
 "The physicians say that the case is not in any way serious, and that there Is no danger whatever. This statement 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.
 (Signed) George B. Cortelyou.
 - Secretary to the President
 At $40 the following official state ment was issued:
 "At 3:15 D. m. the president went from the Columbia club to St. Vincent's hospital in his own carriage and short ly after he was in the hospital the op- eration required was performed by Dr. George H. Oliver, of Indianapolis, in consultation with the presidents physi- clan, pr. George A. Lung, and Dr. George J. Cook, Dr. Henry Jameson and Dr. J. J. Richardson.
 At the cOncluSlOn or the operation the physicians authorized the follow ing statement:
 "As a result of the traumutism (bruise) received in the trolley accident at Pittsfield, Mass. there was found to be circumscribed collection of per- fectly pure 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 presi- dent should make speedy recovery. It is absolutely imperative however, that he should remain quiet and refrain from using the leg. The trouble is not serious, but temporarily disabling.
 (Signed) George B. Corte1you,
 Secretary to the President
 September 23, 1902"
 The decision to perform the operation was reached early in the day. when a consultation of physicians was held on the train. Said Dr. Oliver: ''In order to avoid possible blood poisoning set ting in. it would be necessary for the president to submit to the operation" and in this view all the other doctors concurred. The president demurred,