The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-02-23
HARPER OPERATED ON: CANCER OF INTESTINES
HIS BELIEF AND SURGEONS.
 DIAGNOSIS CONFIRMED.
Disease So Far Progressed That 1t is Found Impossible to Remove All of
 ment to be COntinued-DoctorS Will
 Say Nothing as to Chances of uItI-
mate Recovery.

Say Nothing as to Chances of UltI-
 mate Recovery.
 Chicago, Feb 22.-While at the Uni versity of Chicago hundreds of students were assembled to participate in pray
 CTS for his recovery, Dr. William R.
 Harper, president of the institution.
 this afternoon underwent a serious
 surgical operation in the Presbyterian
 hospital. For early two years Dr. liar
 per has been afflicted with severe pains
 in the abdomen, and about one year ago
 underwent an operation for appendfcf- tis. This did not result in permanent improvement and it was finally deeid-
 ed after exhaustive examinations by his physicians, that a second operation
 was necessary. It was generally
 thought by the physicians that it would
 reveal cancerous condition of the in testines near the head of the colon. This diagnosis was confirmed by the
 operation this afternoon. .. ..1l sg.z The operation from a surgical stand point was a success. The patient ral- lied splendidly from the shock and to-
 night is in a condition that gives every
 promise of an early recovery from the effects of the operation. @ The ultimate recovery of Dr. Harper
 is a matter on which the physicians
 decline to commit themselves, but 1 merely express ''The reasonable hope that the disease may be checked.
 1 It was found that Dr. Harper was af- ! flicted with carcinoma of the posterior wall of the head of the colon and the
 disease had progressed so far that it i was sotlnd impossible to remove all of the disease tissue. After the conclusion of the operation ] Dr. sem of Chicago, one of the attend
 ing physicians, said that Dr. Harper 1 was afflicted with cancer, while bull
 letin issued by Dr. Billings said that
 Drs. McBurney and Bevan coincided in
 this opinion. Dr. Billings himself would express no opinion a
 Late tonight Dr. Harper had fallen ! into a comfortable sleep and was in ex- cellent condition. It was decided by { the physicians that 1t would be neces- sary to continue for some time the medical and X-ray treatment.
 Dr. Harper was under the influence of the anaesthetic for about two hours,
 although the operation itself did not consume over twenty-five minutes.
 The operation was performed by pr. l McBurney assisted by Drs. Sen1l, Be l van, Billings and Hektoen. i At 4:45 the following bulletin was is- !. sued by Dr. Billings: ''The operation
 was performed by Dr. McBurney and 1 completed at s:30 o'clock. A condition of thickening of the posterior wall of the head of the colon and enlargement of the mesentery was found. The en- | tire removal of the diseased tissue was
 deemed impossible by the surgeons and 1 the wound was closed. It was the opinion of Drs. McBurney and Bevan that the disease is carcenonla. It
 has been decided that President Har-
 per shall be placed upon medical and x-ray treatment with the reasonable { hope that the disease may be checked, l It is anticipated that Dr. Harper Will
 make a speedy convalescence." Shortly after midnight Dr. Billings l issued the following bulletin:
 l / At 11:30 o'clock Dr. Harper is rest ! ing easily. His pulse is 72;; his respira-
 tion and temperature is normal. His breathing is natural" a. "