C U TT' N(i5 
NEW-YORK HERAlO 
Contain ah account of the illness 
- or ■ 
Pwesident GARFIELD 
1 1S8I \EW YORK HERALD 
THE BULLET DEFINITELY LOCATED. 
On Monday evening last, about half-past six o'clock, 
immediately after the dressing of the wound of the 
President, Professor Graham Bell made his first ex- 
periment with the induction balance to locate tho 
ball in the President's body. The apparatus, 
which had been arranged for several days, 
was in the adjoining room, so that only 
the telephonic attachment and bullet seeker were 
visible in the patient's room. There were present 
Drs. Agnew, Bliss, Barnes, Beyburn and Woodward, 
Colonel Rockwell, General Swaim, who supported 
। the President's body and head while thoexperiment 
was being made; Professor Taintor, Professor Bell's 
assistant, and Private Secretary Brown. It was 
first explained to the President and all 
those about the bedside that |ho strictest 
silence would have to be observed. At the beckon 
of Dr. Bliss, Professor Bell and his assistant entered 
the room and the explorer or bullet seeker was 
handed to Dr. Bliss, while Professor Bell, with his 
ear trained to detect the slightest pulsation of sound 
in the telephone, held that instrument to his right 
ear. There having been opinions expresseld 
by eminent surgeons that possibly tho 
ball did not penetrate the body. Dr. 
Bliss passed the explorer carefully over the 
back from the mouth of the wound parallel with 
the spine, across the back and downward again, but 
without attracting the attention of Professor Bell, 
who stood with his back to the doctors and the 
patient and some little distance from the bedside. 
No pulsation of sound was heard while these ex- 
plorations were made, and Dr. Agnew smiled at Dr. 
Bliss as he handed the explorer to Dr. Bey- 
burn, who began the test anew. From the 
mouth of the wound the instrument, which resem- 
bles the end of a large wooden spool, was moved 
toward the abdomen, and in passing a certain spot 
Professor Bell heard distinctly the singing or buzzing 
sound made by the presence of metal when the bal- 
ance is perfect. He instantly raised his hand as the 
| signal, and the doctors craned their necks and bent 
I their eager eyes to the spot on the abdomen over 
I which the bullet seeker halted. In this position 
Dr. Reyburn held it, but it appears that 
he had not caught the signal quick enough, and he 
was requested to try again. Tho doctors had an 
idea from their frequent examination of the Presi- 
dent whore the ball is located, and that spot Dr. 
Reyburn covered with the bullet seeker. 
"THE BALL IS HERE." 
Professor Bell instantly raised his hand. The ex- 
periment ended here, for fdr that it would tire the 
President. It was intended with a better instru- 
meut to have made another test in Dr. Hamilton's 
presence yesterday, and verify the observation 
of Monday last, but it was not completed in time 
and it is understood that tho test will be mid. to- 
morrow evening. 
Professor Bell says that as near as he could fix the 
locality indicated that it was to the right of and just I 
below the navel-say about five inches to the right 
and two inches below it. Tho spot was tho 
one indicated by Surgeon General Wales to the 
surgeons at the examination on the afternoon 
the President was shot, and which was fully 
explained in these despatches of July 25 and July 
2G. But the important fact is yet to be stated. 
The ball is probably not more than one or one and 
a half inches from the surface of the body. 
Professor Bell says that the apparatus used was 
not carefully adjusted, and it was not expected to 
detect the bullet under the most favorable circum- 
stances more than two inches from the surface that 
being the maximum distance that had been attained 
at the time of the experiment. If the ball was flat- 
tened by contact with the;ribsits broad surface 
would give a better indication than if it retained its 
conical shape. Yet a ball the exact size of the one 
which entered the President's body was flattened by 
firing it against a hard surface and, under the most 
favorable circumstances, did not more than break 
the balance at a distance of two inches. The im- 
pression is that the ball in the President's 
abdomen was slightly flattened, or by contact with 
the tenth and eleventh ribs changed from a conical 
to a wedge shaped missile. If the experiment is re- 
newed to-morrow there will be no more uncertainty. 
LOCATING THE BULLET IN A VETERAN. 
The apparatus is now perfectly adjusted, and a 
leaden ball has been detected at a distance of five 
inches from the surface. This evening an old sol- 
dier named John McGill, who was wounded at 
Gaines' Mill in 1862, was taken from the Soldiers' 
Home to the laboratory of Professor Bell, and a ball 
which was believed to be encysted somewhere in the 
back was definitely and repeatedly located by tho 
new apparatus, the indications being that it was 
fully two inches from the surface. The buzz- 
ing sound was distinct when the bullet seeker was 
removed an inch or i re from the surface. By the use 
of a condenser double the he ring distance is now 
obtained, so that it will be easy not only to locate 
the exact spot where the ball rests in the 
President's body but to deteimine within the 
fraction of an inch the exact distance it lies 
from the surface. It is in all proba- 
bility only a matter of a fc. days, if tho 
President's condition continues as favorable as 
represented, when an operation may be performed 
to remove the ball. All the attending physicians 
were convinced before the experiment was tried that 
it deserved the fullest trial. Their opinion was 
based upon the test given with the apparatus ten 
days ago, when it did not promise the most favorable 
results. Then Professor Bell said he should continue 
to experiment until he succeeded in overcoming 
three inches. It was believed by the physicians 
that if the discoloration of the skin on the abdomi- 
nal wall was caused by the ball it must be pretty 
near the surface. The practical tests yet to follow 
will demonstrate how near right the physicians 
have been in their theory. 
The same spot where Professor Bell's induction 
balance indicates the presence of the ball was also 
fully described by Surgeon General Wales in hie re- 
port to the surgeons and physicians on the afternoon 
of July 2, when he made the first preliminary exami- 
nation of the President's wound. As that was the 
only time he saw the wound and had an opportunity 
of examining the patient it will probably be ad- 
mitted that by dismissing him from further con- 
sultation the President has been deprived of a 
valuable helper. It is said by one of the surgeons 
present that the diagnosis of the wound made at 
that time by Dr. Wales has since been sustained in 
every particular. 
Dr. Bliss was asked about the experiment. 
"1 will now divulge the only secret that we have 
kept from the press," smilingly replied the Doctor. 
"About two weeks ago we determined to test the 
merits of the contrivance, and I was selected to use it. 
I passed it carefully over the President's back and 
across the abdomen, and just as I reached a point 
about two inches to tho right of the median line and 
five inches in a downward direction from the mouth 
of the wound Professor Bell said, 'stop! the indica- 
tor shows that the ball is here.' We carefully ex- 
amined and found that our theory as to the location 
of the ball was fully justified by the induction 
balance. The machine was not perfected enough at 
this time to show the depth of the ball if it ex- 
ceeded two inches, but Professor Bell took it away 
to remedy this. He informs me to-night that he 
has mastered the difficulty and will make another 
examination to-morrow morning, whsn he is sure 
he can detect lead at a depth of five inches." 
THE QUESTION OF EXTRACTING THE BALL. 
"In case you find the ball, will you attempt to 
extract it immediately?" 
"By no means, unless it should give trouble. We 
have decided to allow the President, to fully recu- 
perate before making any attempt to extract it. By 
this time it has doubtless become encysted and is 
not deemed dangerous. By the way, on one occa- 
sion, while I was manipulating a black spot ou the 
abdomen which marked the location of the ball, 
and which was the Same spot indicated by Profes- 
sor Bell's Induction balance, the President said:- 
'Doctor, there is something hard there, I can feel it 
plainly.' " 
"How doos the President bear his confinement?" 
"Very cheerfully. His principal anxiety now is to 
be allowed to sit up. We raised him two inches 
higher to-day than he was yesterday. He was in a 
semi-recumbent position at an angle of about 
twenty-five degrees and seemed to enjoy it very 
much. Just as soon as we think he can bear it we 
will take him off the bed and put him in one of the 
patent invalid beds which have been sent here for 
his use." 
"Has there been any change recently in the char- 
acter of his food?" 
"Yes. This morning he had for breakfast a baked 
potato, with a dressing of salt and cream, and two 
broiled lamb chops. I had started to feed him when 
Mrs. Garfield came into the sick room and I allowed 
her to finish the task. He seemed to relish the 
change in his diet very much, and especially as it 
was served by his wife. In every respect this has 
been his best day. His other nourishment during 
the day was beef essence, bouillon and koumiss. 
He does not complain of nausea at all, and as soon 
as he is through eating turns over for a nap." 
"Did you use anything to-night to induce sleep?" 
"About one-twelfth of a grain of morphia hypo- 
dermically Injected. Last night we gave him one- 
tenth, and our intention is to reduce it gradually." 
"Has the restriction in regard to conversation been 
removed?" 
"To a certain extent only. We frequently converse 
with him on general subjects, but he does not know 
much that is transpiring in the world. Usually, as 
soon as his wound is dressed he will want to talk 
about his prospects for recovery, and we will 
gradually divert his thoughts into another chan- 
nel in order to relieve his mind about himself. 
He is very observant, though, and nothing in the 
room escapes him. I had pulled down one of the 
curtains the other evening just before he took his 
nap and was on tho point of leaving the room when 
he called me and said, 'Bliss, don't you think it 
would be a good idea to pull down tho other cur- 
tain, too.' Frequently during the night I will re- 
move my slippers and go as softly as possible to his 
bedside to test his pulse. On several occasions I 
thought him asleep, as ho lay so quietly, and I did not 
w'ant to disturb him, but ha would say, 'Don't 
think I'm asleep. Try my pulse it you want to.'" 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
TAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK. MONDAi. AUGUST 1. 1881. 
[EX TELEGRAPH TO THE HER ALT). ] 
Washington, July 31, 1881. 
"The thirty days crisis is safely over," said an 
official of the White House to-day, and his beaming 
face was evidence enough that he believed it. 
Iho Presidential patient slept comparatively well 
last night. His sleep was in naps, not always pro- 
found or natural, but it was sleep, nevertheless, and 
if it did not do any other good it varied the great 
monotony of the sick couch. The regular morning 
examination was proceeded with and the time- 
honored report made. The sameness of the bul- 
letins was not varied in any essential feature. 
SOME GOOD SIGNS. 
The afternoon was intensely warm and the Presi- 
dent is reported as having been aware of the great 
rise of the thermometer. But, with the cooling ap- 
paratus, the temperature of the sick room was kept 
considerably below that of the outside world. The 
patient had several naps, but is somewhat restless 
and impatient at his long restraint. The physicians 
say that this impatience is a good sign, lor it indi- 
cates a growing strength. The rumor of yesterday 
about his being out in ten days, which 
statement is coupled with the name of 
one of the attending physicians, is not 
likely to be realized, and there is a very gen- 
eral feeling that the doctors, gratified at the 
advent of the thirtieth day without any serious 
mishap, have allowed themselves to become too en- 
thusiastic. It is hardly reasonable to suppose that 
he is wholly out of danger, for the history of such 
cases shows very conclusively tnat a patient is never 
wholly out of danger until he is able to walk about 
and attend to the ordinary duties of life. It is 
thirty days since the President was shot. With the 
terrible shock of a terrible wound, the 
weather ill-disposed, the atmosphere poisonous, 
the uncertainty of definitely intelligent treat- 
ment at, the outset and the continuance 
of the bullet in a vital part of the body, he natur- 
ally has lost vastly in strength, and is physi- 
cally so weakened that it will require 
many days of skilful attention and perfect rest 
to call back to his command the complete and 
splendid physique with which he -was invested 
when assailed. Men don't mend in a minute, or in 
a month, under circumstances such as those in this 
case. Dr. Bliss is reported to have s lid to-day that 
the President ought to be able to be out in a few 
weeks and that there was no danger whatever of his 
becoming a cripple, the full use of his 
limbs being an assured fact. There might 
be expected, though, a discharge from the wound for 
almost any length of time up to ten mouths, that 
would neither retard recovery nor prove very an- 
noying to the patient. This discharge, ho thought, 
would not be consequent upon the ball, but rather 
upon the effects of the shattered ribs. 
a meal of solid food. 
At about two o'clock the patient was raised up in 
bed again, as described in my despatch of yesterday, 
and given some food including some beefsteak. 
This steak is very carefully prepared, of 
course, and is doubtless as nourishing 
as anything that could be procured. The doctors 
have been driven to their wits' end to devise some 
liquid nourishment that the patient would take, 
fearing that there would be no assimilation of solids. 
But the President balked so badly at beef tea and 
every liquid form of beef that it was recognized that 
beef in its normal state must be given him, dys- 
pepsia or no dyspepsia- The experiment is be- 
lieved to have been quite successful and the 
■olid food diet will be continued until 
further orders. Knowing that the patient would 
sooner or later have to be raised up in bed the 
makers of patented and unpatented inventions 
commenced sending their apparatus to the White 
House. One end of a long hall is piled up with 
them to the number of a dozen or more, ana one of 
the colored servants told me this evening, with a 
good deal of glee, that they only wanted four 
or five more to make just enough to go 
round among the household servants. They 
would be equitably disiributed, he added: -"Jess so 
soon as de President done get well." One bed man 
from New York was putting up a bed last evening 
for experimental purposes. There was a long rub- 
ber tube connected with it. that he announced was 
to be connected with the "Croton pipe." It tock a 
long argument to convince him that the Executive 
mansion was not supplied from the Croton Aque- 
duct. None of the beds have been used for the 
President. THE WOUND. 
"What is the condition of the wonad at present?*' 
"The original opening is about one-third healed 
ajid the granulated particles are remarkably 
healthy. It is very sensitive, though, and frequently 
when we are preparing to dress it the President will 
say, 'Bliss, be as easy as possible and don't hurt me 
if you can help IL' Of course we are as tender as 
possible, but, as I have just said, the granulation 
makes the part very sensitive. To-night, however, 
he did not complain at all, and when we had con- 
cluded the dressing for the night he said, 'That is 
the easiest and most comfortable yeL' When 
this operation is performed Dr. Reyburn takes the 
temperature of the body. Dr. Woodward prepares 
the solution, the temperature of which is at blood 
heat, while I take the pulse and dross the wound. 
The taking of the respiration does not require so 
much manipulation." 
"How do you dress his wound?" 
"We turn the President over on hi« stomach and 
first wash his body well with carbolic soap, 
after which he is thoroughly dried. Then 
we remove tho bandages and insert a flex- 
ible tube used in washing gunshot wounds. 
The water is forced through it slowly 
from a fountain which holds about two quarts 
and the cavity is thoroughly cleansed of pus. This 
operation is continued until the tube discharges 
pure and clean water." 
"Are there any further indications of secreted 
pus?" I 
"Not in the least. The discharge, which is now 
altogether from the lower orifice, is cf the most 
laudable character. If jus has remained in the 
track of the wound any time we have quickly dis 
covered it by the odor and color, the latter of which 
is of a greenish hue. Such a discharge has not oc- 
curred for a week. I assure you I feel very different 
to-night from what I did just four weeks ago, for 
now I am certain that the President is bound to re- 
cover." 
To confirm the Doctor's words there has been this 
to-day, if nothing else, and it is iu the President's 
favor. It has been the only Sunday since the Presi- 
dent was shot when there has boun no excitement 
about the White House and throughout the city. 
On tho other Sundays, in consequence of the re- 
lapses that occurred, there was great anxiety there- 
abouts and a hurrying to and fro that was far from 
indicating that all was going right. There have 
been less callers at the White House to-day than on 
any previous day. Indeed, there were fewer who 
called than if the President had been well, outside of 
the corps of newspaper callers. There was even a 
falling off in this particular. 
A NEW CONTROVERSY. 
The physicians have naturally regarded the sick 
man's lack of appetite and his constant loss of 
strength as a most serious matter and have used 
every means to improve his condition iu this re- 
spect. While they officially express themselves as 
being more than pleased at the increase of strength 
and partial return of appetite this morning they do 
not strenuously combat the theories expressed by 
so many eminent practitioners not called into the 
case to the effect that sogie powerful agency has 
been at work to prevent the return of the natural 
appetite that all precedent has established as return- 
j ing to victims of gunshot wounds who are not 
wounded in the stomach and whose general system 
was robust before the reception of the wounds. This 
thought has been entertained by two-thirds of the 
people here for a long time, and there is hardly a 
medical man, who has expressed any opinion at all, 
that has not agreed that the President's case has 
been a remarkable exception to the well established 
rule. The patient has been dosed with morphine 
from time to time, and there are those who think he 
has been given too much of the drug, and attribute 
much of the "calmly sleeping" of the bulletins to 
its effect. Now the matter has been narrowed down 
to the inquiry, to which of five troubles is the ab- 
sence of appetite due? Is it morphia, septicaemia, 
malaria, pyaemia or dyspepsia? 
The believers in the theory of tho malarial poison- I 
Ing of the Presid nt ate increasing in number, and 
the discussion of that view is becoming very gen- 
eral. The Capital of this morning takes that view, 
and in an editorial on the subject says:- 
Before we organize body guards and enact strange 
laws of treason it would be well to look at the foe 
that cannot be fought off by guards or intimidated 
by law. We refer to the deadly malaria that every 
■ year spreads wider and becomes njore fatal to our 
' city. The birthplace of this enemy to the human 
race, small in the beginning, has, through tho gro=s 
neglect ot Congress, increased until it will shortly 
number a thousand acres. These are the marshes 
over which the tide ebbs and flows, and upon 
which falls the drainage of tho city. The 
hot sun rots while the tides stir the 
fearful mass, and the prevailing winds gather and 
spread it over the helpless population until every 
breath is a fever and everv mouthful of food or 
wa a deadly poison. If the President dies we । 
may rest assured that the deadly miasma from the I 
Kidwell Bottoms had as much to do with the calami- I 
tous result as the villain's pistol. 
The fact is pointed out, and it certainly points 
with absolute positiveness to the presence ot mal- 
aria in an aggravated form at the White Mouse, that 
six of the attendants have been entirely incapaci- 
tated for anything but their beds by the poison 
since the wounded President was brought home, 
and that one of them. Steward Crump, has been in 
constant attendance on the patient, breathing the 
same air and inhaling the same vapors that come 
over the Potomac flats into the southwest chamber. 
A SIGNIFICANT TABLE. 
The seven o'clock evening bulletin showed 
the President's pulse to be 104, temperature 
99 and respiration 20. It is an interest- 
ing fact that notwithstanding the repeated 
assurance of the physicians that his condition 
is so markedly Improved his pulse to-night is 
only four points lower, while his temperature and 
respiration are actually higher than they were this 
night four weeks ago. If the figures of the official 
bulletins mean anything they mean that the week 
onuiug to-day shows the worst average condition of 
pulse and temperature yet seen. The exhibit for 
the week, which tells its own story when compared 
with the seven o'clock bulletins of other weeks, is 
as follows:- 
j Washington and no doubt of the country at large. 
He says :- 
Ihe determination of the doctors not to be in- 
terviewed may be wise in view of the patent fact 
that hitherto not one of them has been able to 
open his mouth without putting his foot in it, 
but it not only smacks offensively of militarism 
but shows on their part an utter obliviousiiess of 
[ tho fact that the case of which they gained control 
iu such an extraordinary manner is one in which the 
I American people have a paramount interest, and re- 
garding which they have an undoubted right to full 
and even minute information. To say that the bul- 
letins have never conveyed such information would 
be short of the mark. The meagreness of the facts 
thus given out is only less unsatisfactory than the 
contradictory character of the unofficial outgivings, 
and both together we are safe in saying show what 
good physicians have all ajong felt-that a grand 
blunder was committed when no attempt was made 
to find out immediately after the wound its nature 
and direction and the location of the bullet. 
This failure has already been condemned 
by the highest surgical authority, and 
this failure, which necessarily left so much of the 
subsequent treatment to guesswork, has been fol- 
lowed up by a series of guesses of the most absurd 
kind. First we were told that the ball passed 
through the liver. Several eminent surgeons 
doubted that, and now Dr. Hamilton is free to say 
that the doubters were correct. The attending 
surgeons said they had found indications that the 
ball bad lodged in the anterior wall ot the abdomen. 
This taken with their previous loose talk meant 
that the ball had passed through the abdominal 
cavity, which would have made a fatal issue almost 
certain to ensue, and speedily. At this stage of the 
case it looks as if the attending physicians were 
preparing the public mind to believe that, in the 
not improbable event of the President's recovery, 
they had worked a miracle." 
The following was received at the Executive Man- 
sion from the French Minister:- 
The inhabitants of Saint-Antoine (Department of 
Isere) bog the Minister of tho French Republic at 
Washington to convey to Mrs. Garfield their best 
wishes tor the speedy recovery of the President of 
the United States, with the expression of their 
unanimous sympathy. 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, July 31-7:30 A. M. ) 
Dr. Bliss says the President passed a comfortable 
night, resting and sleeping well. He is entirely free 
from fever this morning. He thinks his general 
condition is still improving. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-8:30 A. M. 
The President slept well during the night and 
awoke refreshed this morning. The afternoon fever 
subsided earlier than the night before and had quite 
disappeared by ten P. M. His appearance and ex- 
pressions this morning indicate continued improve- 
ment. At present his pulse is 94, temperature, 
98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. H. AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion. July 31-12 M. 
At the morning dressing of the President's wound 
there was a very healthy and perfectly free discharge 
of pus and a very thorough cleansing occurred. The 
President took some milk with egg early this morn- 
ing and ate a small quantity of lamb chops and pota- 
toes for his breakfast. Dr- Boynton says the track 
ot the original wound above the incision continues 
to hoal satisfactorily and is now nearly closed. The 
President is in excellent spirits ^nd expresses him- 
self as daily growing stronger. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President bore the morning dressing of his 
wound without fatigue. It continues to look well 
and discharge adequately. After the wound was 
dressed he ate with relish a breakfast of solid food 
and has since passed a comfortable morning, during 
which he had a pleasant nap. The quantity of 
nourishment now taken daily is regarded as quite 
sufficient to support his system and lavor the grad- 
ual increase in strength which is plainly observ- 
able. At present his pulse is 100; temperature, 
98.5; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. H. AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:45 P. M. 
The President's condition at this houris about the 
same as at half-past twelve P. M., when the last of- 
ficial bulletin was issued. He has had a quiet sleep 
during the afternoon and has f aken his nourishment 
freely and appeared to enjoy it. 
[Official.] 
• Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has passed an excellent day. Fr >m 
just after the morning dressing till about six P. M. 
he has had his head and shoulders elevated by a 
frame beneath the mattress. He has t ken and rei- 
ishod an ample supply of nourishment and con- 
tinues to improve in general condition. The ap- 
nearance of the wound at the evening dressing was 
in every way satisfactory. Tho afternoon rise of 
temperature has been quite insignificant. At pres- 
ent his pulse is 104; temperature. 99: respiration, 20. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:15 P.M. 
The day at the White House has passed very 
quietly, the reports from the sick room being, with- 
out exception, of a very favorable character. Dr. 
Bliss, iu conversation to-night on the President's 
condition, when asked how he accounted for tho 
regularity of the high pu se every evening, said 
that it was simply the result of the surgical fever. 
Pulse. 
Tempera- 
ture. 
Respi- 
ration. 
Monday 
no 
101.8 
24 
Tuesday 
104 
100.7 
22 
Wednesday 
9G 
98.5 
20 
Thursday 
104 
100.5 
20 
Friday 
98 
100.0 
20 
Saturday 
104 
100.0 
20 
Sunday 
104 
99.0 
20 
Mow, it is evident from all this that there is some- 
thing which keeps up the fever which comes on 
every afternoon. A well known plumber said to 
your correspondent this evening that, in his opin- 
ion, it was sewer gas. Said he:- 
"This talk of malaria is well enough for talk, but 
it is well known that malaria does not give us much 
trouble for a month or so yet. The real trouble is 
sewer gas, which is ten times as bad and even 
more poisonous. There is not a perfect working 
sewer trap in the Executive Mansion. A couple 
of years ago I worked there cleaning out a plugged 
up waste pipe, and to my surprise I found that al- 
though every wash basin, bathroom and closet had 
a direct connection with the sewer pipe, there was 
not a trap of any kind about the place. I am not at 
all surprised, therefore, that the people there are 
sick. The only thing that surprises me is that there 
are not more of them. There is an inspector 
of plumbing here, but he has never in- 
spected the soil pipe connections at the 
White House. But he will now, because 
Dr. Bliss requested him last night to do so. The 
physicians have looked into this matter, and the 
remedy will be applied in the morning. But to-night 
there is an unobstructed flow of sewer gas into all 
parts of the mansion except the President's room, 
in which there is no wash basin. The outlets are 
not properly ventilated, and there are several closets 
in the house in which there is no ventilation what- 
ever. There is an annual appropriation of $10,000 
for necessary repairs in the mansion, but somehow 
no one ever thought o£ having the sewer connections 
looked after." 
WANTED-A NEW WHITE HOUSE. 
Dr. Bliss said last nistht in the presence of several 
gentlemen at the White House, though how the 
Doctor came to say anything so very positive is con- 
sidered strange, that the White House was in a de- 
plorable condition. He was evidently much exer- 
cised and spoke very positively. Among other things 
he said:- 
"I had no idea the President's house was in such 
a deplorable condition. 1 don't see how in the 
world General Grant and Mr. Hayes stood it as long 
as they did. Why, you can't imagine what a foul 
odor arises from the bathrooms and closets in the 
house. There are two closets in the centre of the 
building without the slightest ventilation. A light 
has to be kept constantly burning in them. This ; 
house is a disgrace to the nation. I will go before a 
Congressional committee and make a statement to 
that effect." 
Taking into consideration the fact that the de- 
fective drainage and the rotten timbers of the house 
add no small amount of poison to the miasma of the 
bottoms the inmates of the Executive Mansion may 
be said truthfully to be in a deplorable condition. 
The exclusiveness at the White House continues, 
and, as I have already said, the Itussian Emperor is 
not more carefully guarded. That portion of the 
mansion in which the wounded President lies is em- 
bargoed. He may almost be said to be in solitary 
confinement. Of course this is absolutely neces- 
sary, as it would be manifest lolly to permit his rest 
to be disturbed or the work of the doctors interfered 
with. But there seems no good reason why the sur- 
geons might not confide to some discreet official as 
they pass to and from the White House some of the 
details of the President's condition, who in turn 
might impart the information to callers. As it is 
now, those officials outside of the mystic eleven 
know absolutely nothing more than they glean from 
the bulletins and road in the Herald. The seem- , 
ingly unwise and unnecessary covering up of details | 
that could be given without possible harm is very 
soundly condemned here. 
HIDING UP A BLUNDER. 
The following criticism, made to-day by a gentleman 
I well known locally, may be said to justly reflect the 
I opinion of fully nine-tenths of the residents of '•It is a mistsken idea." ne added, "to suppose 
that all surgical tevers are continuous," instancing 
immediately thereafter a number of cases which 
have been in his charpeas proof of the assertion. 
Since the issuance of the seven o'clock bulletin the 
President's pulse, the Doctor said, had fallen about 
ten beats, and Is at this hour abont 91, with a tem- 
perature about normal. The normal pulse of Presi- 
dent Garfield was a subject of discussion by the sur- 
geons to-day, and it was concluded that it was about 
80 beats. Dr. Bliss 'said th»t if the patient continues 
to improve for the next two weeks proportionately 
with his improvement for the past few days there 
is no reason why he will not be able to sit up dur- 
ing the third week, or probably sooner. During the 
course of further conversation the Doctor explained 
at length the manner in which the dressings 
of the wound are made. "Everything ha-< 
been done conscientiously," said the Doctor, 
"to give the exact condition ot the patient at the 
time of the examination, whether it be favorable or 
unfavorable." As an instance of this he referred to 
the fact that oftentimes when the evening examina- 
tion is mane the fever will be found at its height, 
and perhaps immediately afterward it will have 
almost entirely disappeared, but the condition at 
the moment of the examination, he said, is 
invariably taken for the bulletins. The fever, 
although it may be variable, the Doctor said, always 
makes its appearance sooner or later. In response to 
an inquiry as to whether the ball, if it should be 
found to be in the front wall of the abdomen, would 
be likely to cause the President any serious annoy- 
ance, the Doctor said that unless it had carried some 
bone withnt, in which even* an abscess might form, 
there was no reason to fear any troublesome com- 
plication from it. 
The President during the day has taken abont 
twenty-two ounces of liquid nourishment and about 
tour ounces of solid food, including mutton chop; 
and other substantial meats. The house was closed 
for the night considerably earlier than usu 1 on ac- 
count of everything being quiet and favorable. 
Secretary Blaine sent the following telegram to 
Minister Lowell to-night:- 
The President ts steadily improving, and I shall 
henceforth omit my daily telegram. Not hearing 
from me you may infer that all goes well. 
A TALK WITH DU. HAMILTON. 
A reporter for the Herald who last night called 
upon Dr. Frank H. Hamilton found him looking 
tired after his latest trip to the capital. 
"I have called to talk with you, Doctor, about the 
condition of the President," the reporter said. 
"It is impossible for me to enter into any detailed 
statement," he replied, "because ot an informal 
agreement made by all the physicians at Washing- 
ton not to talk to representatives of the press about 
the case, but to refer them to the bulletins for in- 
formation." 
"Why was that compact made, Doctor?" 
"Well, it appears that the statements of some of 
the physicians were misrepresented. The errors 
occurred in Washington, not in this city." 
"Any of your own statements garbled or muddled, 
Doctor?" 
"No. For myself, I must say that I have been 
very correctly reported indeed, and have no fault to 
find." 
"Without entering into details, what is your 
opinion of the President's condition just now?" 
"There is no reasonable doubt of his recovery," 
said Dr. Hamilton, with emphasis. 
"Will you permit me to ask one more question? 
When do you think President Garfield will be able 
to resume his duties?" 
"He will undoubtedly be able to perform a certain 
class of official duties within a week or two." 
"You mean he will be able to attach his signature 
to papers?" 
"Oh! so far as that goes he is now perfectly able 
to-but, there, go along. I can't say any more," and 
the Doctor became dumb as an oyster. ■ over his body he had a suspicion that he was going 
to receive a shock, and asked for an explanation of 
the method before it was applied. The annoyance 
was removed and tho experiment satisfactorily 
inded." 
The Professor also says that some of the phy- 
licians in attendance urged Dr. Bliss to explore the 
back with the bullet seeker last Tuesday evening, 
when the experiment was first made, believing that 
the ball was in that region, showing that even those 
in constant attendance upon the President did not 
fully share the opinion expressed by Drs. Reyburn 
and^lliss that the bullet was lodged in the anterior 
Wall of the abdomen, near the right iliac region. 
AN EPIDEMIC OF MALARIA. 
Another of the attendants at the White House was 
prostrated by a malarial attack to-day, making seven 
n ell thus far incapacitated for duty. Steward 
Crump has been in bed for three days, and 
his place at the President's bedside has 
been taken by Dr. Boynton. Secretary Kirk- 
wood is also confined to hie house by a 
malarial attack. Dr. Bliss says that it is the inten- 
tion jof the physicians to move the President from 
the White House at the earliest possible moment, 
ind in reply to a question as to when that would 
be said, "in the course of two or three weeks." He 
did not say where the President would be taken to, 
but it was inferred from a remark accidentally 
dropped that it would be to a vessel for a sea voyage, 
which the President very much desired. 
The President's case is now so hopeful that the 
physicians and attendants feel at liberty once more 
to speak unreservedly of his condition. Mrs. Edson 
says he is gaining some strength. The plan of rais- 
him up on a rest, which is easily adjusted, seems to 
give him great comfort. A slight wrapping is put 
across his shoulders, so as to guard against any 
chance draft. 
"Are you as sanguine as his physicians that he 
may be removed in two weeks or so?" 
"Yes; I do not see any reason why he should not 
be moved, provided no other drawback occurs be- 
tween now and then. He seems to be improving 
slowly but surely." 
"Is he well enough to listen to any roading?" 
"Yes, indeed. Mrs. Garfield reads parts of tho 
hundreds of private letters that have come to her 
about him, and he likes to bear them. Then his 
entertainment is varied by having the daily papers 
read to him, though it is generally the editorials 
ho wants to hear. Ho listens attentively to tho 
reader for some time and then he usually interrupts, 
saying, -Please wait a while.* Occasionally it is be- 
cause he is tired, and then again he likes to set his 
brain working a little over something he has heard 
read. The first week he had a little difficulty in 
keeping the run of the days, and used frequently 
to ask me what was the day and date. But now he 
knows as accurately as anybody about him does." 
Dr. C. M. Ford, one of the original attending phy- 
sicians, when asked to-day his opinion in reference 
to the location of the ball and the probability of its 
Uaviu£.pasBed through the liver, replied;-"I have j 
thought all along that the liver was not wounded, 
for the reason that there have not been any marked 
symptoms of its injury indicated in the bulletins." 
THE LOCATION OF THE BALL CONFIRMED. 
After breakfast, for which the President was 
raised up in bed to an angle of probably twenty- 
five degrees, he took a short nap preparatory to an- 
other examination for the purpose of thoroughly 
locating the bullet. This examination was con- 
ducted later in the presence of Drs. Agnew, Rey- 
burn, Barnes, Bliss and Woodward by Professor 
Bell, assisted by Prolessor Taintor. The President 
was raised up in bed and the arrangements com- 
pleted. The machinery was placed in the library, 
the room adjoining the President's, and the bullet 
seeker was passed over the patient's body very 
much as it was on the evening dressing of last 
Tuesday, as fully described in these columns yester- 
day. Two experiments were made, and the ball 
locaied four and a half inches to the right of and 
below the navel and just above the groin at each 
experiment. I had a short conversation with Pro- 
fessor Bell immediately after the completion of tho 
experiments. 
"Do you consider the experiment as entirely suc- 
cessful?" 1 asked him. 
■ "Much more successlul than tho previous at- 
I tempt," he replied. "At that time the irstrument 
would hardly detect a metal that was imbedded be- 
low the surface more than two inches." 
"It has increased in power, then?" 
"No, it has been reconstructed and will now de- 
termine accurately a bullet five inches below the 
surface." 
"And as to its exact distance from tho surface?" 
"That can only be determin' d as yet by the dimi- 
nutioh of sound. The ball in this case is in all 
probability not further away than two and one-half 
inches at tne outside. The balance, however, does 
not locate more than a sonorous area of about two 
inches diameter. Within that area the bullet is lo- 
cated." 
The President expressed considerable interest in 
the working of tho balance and watched the bullet 
seeker smilingly as it glided over the skin. Those in 
authority consider tho experiments as more than or- 
dinarily successful. They unite in the belief that 
the ball will give no trouble where it is and say that 
they will not attempt to remove it. 
The success of to-day's experiment implies the 
eventual use of the induction bala-iice as one of the 
implements of miljtary surgery. For this reason a 
fuller description of the apparatus is worth putting 
on record. The induction balance used by Professors 
Bell and Taiuter in this case differs very materially • 
from the apparatus with which they began experi- 
menting several weeks ago. Important modifications 
and changes have been made in the shape, size and 
arrangement of the induction Soils. The small 
clock which was a part of the original apparatus has 
been dispensed with and a condenser has been in- 
troduced into the primary circuit. Tho result of 
these modifications and improvements is an ap- 
paratus which, although not essentially new in 
principle, is more sensitive to small masses of metal 
at a distance and better adapted to the requirements 
of surgery than anything of the kind hitherto de- 
vised. 
THE MUSIC OF THE SF HE HE. 
The apparatus in its present Improved form con- 
sists of two flat coils about four inches in diam- 
eter and one half an inch in thickness of insulated 
copper wire, a battery, a condenser, an interrupter 
or circuit breaker and a telephone. The cuds of the 
primary or inducing coil are connected with the 
poles of the battery, and in the same circuit are a 
condenser and a small interrupter, whoso vibrating 
tongue opens and closes the circuit with great 
rapidity. The ends of the secondary coil, in which 
the current is to be induced, are carried to the bind- 
ing posts of a Bell telephone. When the connec- 
tions have all thus beeu made the secondary coil is 
laid on the primary or inducing coil, so that their 
respective circumferences exactly coincide. The cir- 
cuit breaker is thon set in motion and the rapidly 
interrupted current through the primary coil in- 
duces another current of higher intensity in the 
secondary coil, and as it does so a loud musical tone 
is heard in the telephone with which the secondary 
coil is connected, As long as the current 
is maintained and the circumferences of the two 
coils are kept in exact coincidence the musical 
tone in the telephone does not change its pitch or 
intensity. If, however, the experimenter slides the 
upper coil along an inch or so upon the lower, so 
that their circumferences no longer correspond, the 
intensity of the musical tone is diminished, and 
just in proportion as the centres of the flat coils 
are separated by a greater or less distance the 
intensity of the musical tone is lessened 
or increased. When the upper coil has been 
slidden over the lower so that they 
overlap with the centre of one corresponding nearly 
with a point on khe circumference of the other, the 
musical tone in the telephone ceases. If the upper 
coil be pushed a little further to one side so that it 
overlaps still less the tone is again heard. By deli- 
cate manipulation it is possible to adjust the cen- 
tres of the overlapping coils at such a distance one 
from the other that a perfect balance of silence is 
brought about, the telephone making no 
sound whatever. The centres of the over- 
lapping coils cannot then be moved either 
toward or away from one another without causing 
the telephone to break its silence. When the coils 
are thus balanced and the telephone is mute it is 
found that what may bo called the area of coinci- 
dence, or in other words the area of the overlapping 
parts of tho two flat coils, has become highly sensi- 
tive to the approach of metal and manifests its sen- 
sitiveness by a low note in the telephone. As long 
as metal is kept away from this area the telephone 
remains silent, but if a piece of lead, for example, is 
brought within a distance of fonror five inches from 
the overlapping parts of the coils there may be 
heard in the telephone a faint but clearly percepti- 
ble note, which becomes louder and louder as the 
metal approaches the sensitive surface and throws 
the coils more and more out of balance. It will 
readily be seen that under the guidance of the tele- 
phone the small area bounded by the intersecting 
circumferences of the overlapping eoilscan be placed 
exactly above a bullet or other piece of metal im- 
bedded in the body, provided tho metal does not lie 
at too great a depth. As soon as the balanced coils 
begin to feel the disturbance caused by 
their approach to the imbedded bullet the telephone 
announces tho fact by a faint, continuous musical 
note, and this note grows louder and louder until 
tho overlapping parts of the coils are directly above 
the disturbing metal, when the sound reaches its 
maximum. For convenience of application the 
coils used by Professor Bell this morning were 
mounted in a rectangular piece of walnut, about 
seven inches in length by four in breadth, with 
screw posts at the corners for the wires and a han- 
dle at the back, by which it could be held. 
WHY THE DEPTH OF THE BALL IS UNKNOWN. 
Professor Bell lias made a report to the surgeons 
upon to-day's experiments, dated from tho "Volta 
Laboratory," No. 1,221 Connecticut avenue, Wash- 
ington, August 1, 1881, in which he explains why j 
the depth at which the bullet lies cannot be exactly j 
determined. He says :- 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK. TUESDA;, AUGUST 2. 1881._ 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 
Washington. August 1, 1881. 
••The President is now out of the woods and th^re 
is no further danger to be apprehended," said Colo- 
nel Rockwell, as he emerged from the sick room this 
morning. He had spent the night at tho bedside of 
the patient and felt thoroughly convinced of his 
chief's recovery. The night was a comparatively 
pleasant one to the sufferer, though the heat was in- 
tense. The cooling apparatus did much, of course, 
to lower the temperature in the sick room. The 
President slept a good portion of the night, though 
at times in the dim light it is difficult to really tell 
whether he is sleeping, as he has a way of lying per- 
fectly still with eyes closed, and the attendants 
have been deceived by him a number of times in 
that way. The usual morning examination was 
held and the wound dressed. It is described as pre- 
senting an improved appearance. The discharge of 
pus was healthy, though not extensive in amount 
The patient's breakfast was more elaborate than 
Usual and consisted principally of solids, as noth- 
ing has yet occured to change the dietary measures 
Bdopted two days ago. 
THE PRESIDENT'S RAPID PULSE. 
The continued and persistent altitude of tho pa- 
tient's pulse is attracting more general attention 
to-day than it has for some time. There is no ap- 
parent cause for it, and certainly no official explana- 
tion has been made. The announcement this morn- 
ing that the attending surgeons had decided that 
the President's normal pulse was eighty is regarded 
bs somewhat singular when the phlegmatic disposi- 
tion of the patient is taken into consideration. 
Why the normal condition of tho pulse should be 
put at eighty when the variations of the pulse at 
Guy's Hospital, as compiled by Dr. Milne Edwards, 
•hows that a normal pulse of eighty belongs to a 
person under twenty-one years of age, is considered 
queer. A person of President Garfield's age 
should have a normal pulse of sixty-eight. This 
table might not be accepted as a final authority if it 
were not for the positive assurance of those who 
are more familiar with the President's life and 
habits, who state that the normal condition of the 
President's pulse is seventy. Thus, it will be seen, 
khat they put tho pulsation at only two points above 
Dr. Edwards' table, while the attending physicians 
have agreed to put it twelve points above the table 
tnd ten points in excess of what it is said actually 
io be. That the patient's pulse should remain at 
100, as it is to-day and was yesterday, when, accord- 
ing to almost every accepted authority, it should bo 
very little above normal, is considered strange, 
that there should be no explanation of it is consid- 
ered stranger. 
Oth-rwlse tho President's case to-day has pre- 
lented no feature of especial importance. His appe- 
tite has been rather better than on yesterday. He 
has partaken more freely of solid food, and his bill 
of fare has been extended to embrace several things 
hitherto forbidden, including eofiee, of which he 
irank halt a cup to-day for the first 
lime. The surgeons continue to give him 
koumiss occasionally in\ the place of an 
iqual quantity of milk, and although this 
mild Tartar stimulant has little to recommend it to 
the average taste the President expresses a decided 
liking for it and drinks it eagerly. The patient's 
wound discharged freely at the evening dressing, 
Bhd its appearance was in every way satisfactory. 
The usual afternoon fever was light and passed off 
tarlier than usual, and the President went to sleep 
and has been sleeping most of the lime since. His 
pulse at eleven o'clock P. M. was below one hun- 
dred and his temperature and respiration were 
normal. 
THE PRESIDENT GREATLY WASTED. 
Professor Taintor, who assisted Professor Bell in 
his experiments at the President's bedside to-day 
with the induction balance, is the first stranger who 
has seen the patient since the 4th of July. He 
knows General Garfield personally and when asked 
It ne recognized him there was a reserve in his 
manner and a changed expression in his face as 
though he would not trust himself to say 
what he thought. The attendants, per- 
Bonal friends and physicians see him so many 
times a day that they could not notice the marked 
changes in his appearance as one would who has 
tot seen him since the day of the shooting. Mr. 
Taintor says he looks like a very sick man, and no one 
who knows him would care to contrast for himself 
the strong, rugged features of General Garfield in 
health and his wan, pale face as it appears now. 
'■He was not only interested in the experiment," 
Baid the Professor, "but when the wires dragged "I bog to submit for your information a brief state- 
ment of the results obtained with the new form of 
induction balance in the experiments made this 
morning for the purpose of locating the bullet in 
the person of the President. The instru- 
ment was tested tor sensitiveness several 
times during the course of the experiments and 
it was found to respond well to the presentation of 
a flattened bullet at a distance of about four inches 
from the coils. When the exploring coils were 
passed over that part of the abdomen where a son- 
orous spot was observed in the experiments made 
on July 2G, a feeble tone was perceived, but the 
effect was audible a considerable distance around 
this spot. The sounds were too feeble to be en- 
tirely satisficlory, as I had reason to expect 
from the extreme sensitiveness of the instru- 
ment a much more marked effect. fn order 
to ascertain whether similar sounds might not do 
obtained in other localities I explored the whole 
right side and back below the point of entrance of 
the bullet, but no part gave indications of the pres- 
ence of metal except an area of about two inches in 
diameter containing within it the spot pre- 
viously found to be sonorous. The experi- 
ments were repeated by Mr. Taintor, who ob- 
tained exactly corresponding results. We are, 
therefore, justified in concluding that the 
ball is located within the above named 
are.i. In our preliminary experiments we found 
that a ballet like the one in question, whoa in its 
normal shape, produced no audible effect beyond a 
.distance of two and a half inches, while the same 
bullet, flattened and presented with its face parallel 
to the plane of the coils, gave indications up to a 
distance of nearly five inches. The same flattened 
bullet held with its face perpendicular to the plane 
of the coils produced no sound beyond a distance of 
one inch. These facts show that, in ignorance of 
the actual shape and mode of presentation of the 
bullet io the exploring instrument, the depth at 
which the bullet Iles beneath the surface cannot be 
determined from our experiments." 
Now that the ball has been located within a space 
of a few inches from the surface in the wall of the 
abdomen. Dr. Lincoln says that it may be removed 
without the danger of cutting more flesh (ban if the 
identical spot was known. Tho exact location could 
be ascertained by puncturing with a needle or 
sharp probe, or an instrument Uko the needle of a 
Hypodermic syringe could be used painlessly. 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. August 1-8:30 A. M. 
The President slept well during the night, and this 
morning is cheerful and expresses himself as feeling 
better than at any time since be was hurt. After the 
slight rise of yesterday alfertioon his temperature ' 
became again normal early in the evening, and so 
continues. He appears stronger and has evidently 
made good'progress on the road toward recovery 
during the last few days. His pulse is now 94; 
temperature, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
BLISS, REYBURN, 
BARNES, AGNEW. 
WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President's wound continues to do well. At 
the morning dressing it was found to be in all re- 
spect^ in a satisfactory condition. After the dress- 
ing was concluded his head and shoulders were 
raised in the same manner as yesterday, and he took 
solid food for breakfast with more relish than he 
has hitherto shown. At present bis pulse is 100; 
temperature, 98.4; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Man-ion-7 P. M. 
The President remained with his head and shoul- 
ders elevated until the time for dressing his wound 
this evening. It continues to progio s in a satisfac- 
tory manner and discli rges healthy pus freely from 
the deeper as well as the superficial portions. He 
has taken nourishment well and in sufficient quan- 
tity, and in all respects continues to do well. The 
rise <f temperature this afternoon is slight. At 
present his pulse is 104; temperature, 99.o; resptra- ; 
tion, 20. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAVES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
It is said to be now demonstrated by the 
electrical instrument that "the ball is 
lodged at a point five inches below the 
navel and three and a half inches to the 
right of the median line"-in other words, 
in the iliac fossa-and that it is only an 
inch and a half from the surface. This, it 
is said, "confirms in all respects the theory 
maintained by Dr. Bliss." Dr. Bliss' theory 
was that this ball passed through the liver, 
traversed tl e abdominal cavity and lodged 
somewhere in the abdominal wall-he could 
not say where. It is now proved that it 
never touched the liver, that it never was 
in the abdominal cavily, but that it passed 
• around behind the deep muscles and lodged 
where it is found, in the abdominal wall. 
If this sustains that theory it must be 
through a very elastic use of words. It is 
clear enough now that the President's 
wound is one that would not have kept him 
off Iris feet fourteen days if it had been well 
treated in the beginning. NEW YORK HERALD 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 2-8:30 A. M. 
The President passed a very pleasant night and j 
llept sweetly the greater part ot the time. This l 
normal! he awoke refreshed and appears comfort- J 
able and cheerful. Pulse, 94; temperature, 98.4; 
respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT BEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYE AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President is passing the day comf ortably, with 
his head and shoulders raised in the same manner as 
yesterday. At the morning dressing his wound was 
found to be doing admirably. His pulse is now 99; 
temperature, 98.4; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT BEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYE AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, * 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss reports that the President has had to-day 
the best day he has known since his injury. His 
appetite is good and he takes nourishment well. 
His voice is noticeably stronger than at any time 
heiotofore, and he has been all day entirely free 
from fever. The range of his pulse has been below 
100, and his temperature and resx>iration have 
continued to be normal. In all respects he has made 
favorable progress toward recovery. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has continued to progress favor- 
ably during the day and appears perceptibly better 
in his general condition than yesterday-a more 
natural tone of voice being especially perceptible. 
The appearance ot the external wounds at the even- 
ing dressing was exceedingly good. That made by 
the ball is rapidly granulating, while the discharge 
from the deeper portion of the wound, which is 
abundant and* healthy, comes through the counter 
opening mode by operation. The rise of tempera- 
ture this afternoon is moderate and attended by no 
inconvenience to the patient. At present his pulse 
is 1(4; temperature, 100; respiration, 20. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYE AGNEW. 
J. K. BARNES, n 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:15 P. M. 
The President has rested quietly since the evening 
examination, and the slight fever which was appar- 
ent at that time has entirely subsided. He has had 
an extremely comfortable day and has made a de- 
cided gain in strength. All tile features of his case 
worthy of especial notice have been included in 
the official bulletins. His pulse at this hour is 
below 10U. His temperature and respiration are 
normal and he is asleep. Mrs. Garfield Inis received 
a letter ot sympathy and condolence from the 
Christian churches of Southampton, Chester, 
Southport and Liverpool, England, together with a 
draft for £100 as a contribution to the building fund 
of the Church of Disciples in this city, with which 
the President is connected. The draft is sent by 
adherents of the same religious faith in England as 
a token of thankfulness for the preservation of the 
President's life. 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PBOPKIETOK. 
NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3.1881. 
[by telegraph to the herald.! 
Washington, August 2, 1881. 
At twenty minutes past nine o'clock this morning | 
It was just one month since the President received I 
his wound. 
The patient has passed a very comfortable day. 
He has taken plenty of nourishment, such as it is, 
and has enjoyed the change gradually made in his 
position. The weather was unexpectedly warm after 
tho heavy fall of rain last night and the thunder 
which continued during ihe early morning hours. 
It win found necessary to again use the cooling ap- 
paratus, and it was put in operation at noon to-day. I 
A FREE USE OF QUININE. 
Another of the White House employes, making . 
eight altogether, has succumbed to malaria and 
gone home sick. One of the physicians says that ( 
there has been no limit to the giving of quinine to 
the President. The capsules are prepared with three 
grains each, and at least two hundred and fifty have 
been given to the patient during the last three 
weeks. His physical weakness is admitted, but his 
freedom from Increased temperature has been one 
of the consoling and hopeful signs, and the high 
pulse has given the attending physicians very little 
anxiety. To-night, however, tho temperature 
touched 100 and the pulse rose to 104, while the res- 
piration remained at 20. During the past week, in- 
cluding the exciting days of Monday and Tuesday, 
July 25 and 26, the temperature at seven o'clock was 
but four times over 100, while during the previous 
week it was but twice over 106, excepting, of course, 
the conditions of the relapse on Saturday, July 23. 
The pulse, which betrays exhaustion, if not some 
other complication, has kept higher for the last four 
days than it has at any period when t#e patient 
was said to be in a favorable condition. In regard 
to vitiated air, although the cooling apparatus is 
not constantly in operation, it is claimed that the 
purity of the air supplied to the President's room 
by the cooling apparatus has always been acknowl- 
edged and it is now believed that the washing 
process through which the air passes entirely re- 
moves all malarial poison. A series of microscopic 
ind analytical tests will be made by competent ex- 
perts to test this assertion. But when it is as cool 
as it has been for several nights it is still necessary 
Cor ventilation to lower one cf the windows, and the 
very damp night air may have had a bad effect upon 
thelungs of a patient so weak as the President. 
THE MEDICINE OF SOLID FOOD. 
A prominent member of the medical profession to- 
Might diagnosed the President's condition substan- 
tially as follows:-"With regard to the President's 
condition I am one of those who have taken 
gloomy view of the situation from the first and this 
on account of the nature of the injury. The ball 
evidently penetrated the abdominal cavity and by 
splintering the rib forced it against the liver, neces- 
sarily injuring that organ. Its subsequent flight 
was entirely conjectural until Monday last, 
when the electrical test, as is alleged, defi- 
nitedy located its resting place. I am not 
familiar enough with the experiment to bo imbued 
with a belief in it, but if the ball is really in the spot 
so determined I am sure the attending surgeons will 
see the importance of its prompt removal while tho 
risk is comparatively small and before the chances 
of secondary abscess aud rupture into tho abdominal 
cavity set in. In my judgment the ball is too large 
to trust to safe encystment. Au effectual incision 
would contribute to the confidence in ultimate and 
complete recovery. Tho President is not out of dan- 
ger, as this high, fluctuating pulse continues to 
Indicate, nor after Arviving such an injury four 
weeks is ho in that condition of convalescence we 
should reasonably look for. Unless, therefore, sup- 
puration is diminished raid he commences to make 
headway the question will soon arise. Has his con- 
utitutiun tho capacity to resist such an inroad upon 
it? The condition of his pulse for the past four or 
five days plainly indicates that the waste has been 
greater than the repair, and these things are still to 
be dreaded-first, atrombus, or clotting of blood in 
ihe veins; second, pytemia, or bood poisoning, aud 
third, dozing, from the granulation of tho blood in 
the track ot the ball. Should he continue to take 
solid nourishment and it assimilates he will proba- 
bly be able to hold his own and make headway." 
The attaches ot the White House who have been 
aufl' ring from malaria are convalescing, but have 
been advised by their physicians to defer their re- 
turn to duty as long as possible, and, if possible, to 
tvoid remaining at the White House after nighttall. 
At midnight the condition of the President was 
regarded us very satisfactory by the physicians. 
After the evening dressing of his wound he fell 
asleep and was reported to bo resting quietly. NEW YORK HERALD 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official,] 
Executive Mansion, August 3-8:30 A. M. 
The President slept tranquilly the gr. ater part of 
the night. This morning his temperature is normal 
and his general condition satisfactory. Another day 
of favorable progress is anticipated. At present bis 
pulse is 90; temperature, 98.4; respiration. 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES. D. HAYE AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mission-12:30 P. M. 
The President continues to progress steadily 
toward convalescence. He has taken to-day an in- 
creased proportion of solid tood. His wound is 
doing well, and his general condition is better tiian 
yesterday. At present his puise is 100; temperature, 
98.4; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
The President has had a very comfortable and 
favorable day. He has taken au ampie amount of 
nourishment, including a fair proportion of solid 
food, has slept quietly at intervals and h.s been en- 
tirely tree from fever. The range of his pulse has 
been below 100 and his temperature and respiration 
have been normal. The surgeons report that his 
progress toward recovery is satisfactory. 
[Official.] • • 
Excutive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has passed a very satisfactory day. 
Ihe wound continues to do well. He takes an ad- 
equate quantity of nourishment and appears in all 
respects better chan at any time since be was in- 
jured. The rise of temperature this afternoon is 
slight. At present his pulse is 102; temperature, 
99.4; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. K. BARNES, 
J. J. WOODWARD, ROBERT KEYBURN. 
[Unofficial.] * 
Executive Mansion-11 p. M. 
The progress of the President toward recovery to- 
day has been marked and satisfactory. He has taken 
rather more than tho usual amount ot nourishment, 
including beefsteak, «milk, meat extract, toast 
saturated with beef juice and a little coffee. His 
strength is daily increasing, and he is able already 
to do more in the way of turning himself in bed and 
helping others to raise h.s body than the surgeons 
think it prudent to allow. Since last night at this 
hour he has had between eleven and twelve hours of 
quiet, natural sleep, and the hypodermic injection ot 
oue-eighth of a grain of sulphate of morphia which is 
usually given him after the evening examination 
was reduced to-night to one-sixteenth of a grain, 
which was found to be amply sufficient. The at tor- 
noon febrile rise was to-day trifling, and subsided 
before nine o'clock. Since that hour the patient 
has slept most of the time, and is asleep now, with 
every prospect of having a quiet, refreshing night's 
rest. In the opinion of the surgeons he is better 
and stronger to-day than at any time heretofore. 
Dr. Agnew returned to Philadelphia this morning, 
and Dr. Hamilton arrived from New York at halt- 
past ten P. M. In view, however, of the President's 
extremely f ivoranle condition it was not thought 
necessary for Dr. Hamilton to come to the Executive 
Mansion to-night. 
BROADWAY AN 6 ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YOI1K. THUilSDAi, AUGUST 4.1881. 
[by telegraph to the herald. ] 
Washington, August 3, 1881. 
The official bulletins of President Garfield's con- 
dition to-day have been the most favorable issued. 
His pulse at seven o'clock this evening was lower 
than it has been for five days, and his temperature 
was lower, with one exception, than it has been for 
seven days, while his respiration was lower than 
it has been since the 22d of J uly. '±he physicians 
say that the wound is healing; that granulation 
is taking the place of suppuration and that tho 
tone of his whole system denotes a marked im- 
provement in his bodily condition. He is being 
raised gradually on his bed, and a slight fall 
is now allowed to his lower limbs. The confine- 
ment he has endured has been very wearing upon 
his strength and has well nigh exhausted his pa- 
tience. Any variation in his position is therefore a 
novelty which he appreciates. His diet is more 
substantial, and the bill of fare embracer a greater 
variety of articles than he has yet been permitted 
to select from. Although the day has been op- 
pressively hot the patient's room has been cool and 
so deliciously comfortable, according to Dr. Wood- 
ward, that it is a pleasure to remain in it 
rather than* to go outside and encounter 
the heat of the dog days. A lower pulse 
and diminished respiration to-night encourage the 
physicians to say the President is mending. Mis abil- 
ity to take more solid nourishment and assimilate 
It and yet be free from the strain which such a 
change ordinarily causes is said to be most encour- 
aging to tho^e who are charged with his case. 
WHY THE BALL IS NOT EXTBACTItD. 
Iii an interview with Dr. Bliss this evening he told 
your correspondent that tne condition of tho Presi- 
dent was eminently satisfactory, and despite the fact 
that he had lost considerable flesh, probably 
sixty pounds-nearly one-third his weight 
when wounded-yet he was steadily gaining 
strength. The attending physicians had thus 
far been desirous of repairing the con- 
stant waste upon the President's system 
by giving him such nourishment as would readily 
assimilate. His condition had frequently prevented 
his taking solid food, but in a case of such a char- 
acter this was to be expected. In reply to an inter- 
rogatory as to his opinion on the theory that the 
exact location of the ball could be determined now 
by the aid of a hypodermic needle, the Doc- 
tor said that at this time such treatment 
■wopld be extremely hazardous on account of the 
danger of a puncture of the peritoneal cavity in 
sounding for the ball. Besides, the physicians did 
Cot consider the question of extracting the ball to 
be at present of sufficient importance to justify 
them in taking such a step, and unless there 
were evidences of it making its way into 
the pelvic cavity the attending physicians 
had deemed it the wisest plan to let it re- 
main where it was. Realizing from the 
first that the case of tho President imposed a grave 
responsibility upon his physicians, the utmost 
rare and attention had been bestowed upon it, and 
when the record which had been kept of every hour 
lince he was shot was made public it would be sub- 
jected doubtless to a searching criticism. This, 
however, they wero . prepared to meet and stand 
against, for they were cognizant of having done 
their duty in treating a case which was destined to 
be one of the most remarkable on record. 
MAS IT THE ElEST OB SECOND BULLET? 
Mr. E. A. Wagner, of Ithaca, N. Y., arrived in the 
city to-day, having been sent tor by District Attor- 
ney Corkhill, who ascertained that Judge Wagner 
was a witness of tho shooting of the President. His 
l^ory was to the ellect that he was m Washington at 
the time it was announced that President Garfield 
would leave for Doug Branch. Being desirous 
of seeing the Chief Magistrate, Judge Wagner, 
In company with a friend, repaired to tho 
Sixth street depot the morning of tho 2d of July and 
waited until he came into tho ladies' room. Judge 
Wagner was looking intently at the President when 
the first shot was fired; but as it apparently had no 
effect he supposed it was merely the explosion of a 
torpedo. There was not a twitch of a muscle in the 
President's face until the setmud shot, when he 
itarted suddenly and sank down upon the lloor as if 
ill his strength had been withdrawn from him. 
Judge Wagner left bls address with tho District At- 
torney and will be subpoenaed as a witness next'Sep- 
tember should the case be called then, below the long bridge, the party pulled slowly up 
the sluggish channel, and alter passing the draw at 
the norih end of the bridge the first traces of the 
flats were noticeable in the turbid water that flowed 
slowly front the pestilent morass. At a 
point just opposite the Washington Monument 
the peculiar odor of the flats was plainly perceptible 
Here the channel at low tide is about three feet deep 
and thirty to fifty feet wide, the view riverward 
being cut off completely by the tall grass. When a 
point opposite the White House grounds was reached 
the first observation was made. Here the water was 
full of the foul discoloration that flows from the | 
mouths of a number of large sewers, and the stench 
was sickening. In a dozen places the surface was 
broken by mud lumps made up of matter dis- 
charged by these sewers. 
•■Doctor," said the Herald representative to his 
companion du voyage, "what do you think of this 
as a breeding ground for malaria?" 
''It is simply frightful. The exhalations from this 
spot are as deadly as a rifle shot. You will notice 
how little influence this sluggish current here has 
upon the mass of fecal matter and filth that is con- 
stantly being discharged by these sewers." 
Tossing a bit of paper overboard and watching it 
as it slowly moved away, the Doctor continued: 
"This water moves at a rate considerably less than 
two miles an hour. Of course there is no erosive 
force whatever in such a current, and any matter 
held in suspension has ample time to settle. Hence 
you soe these lumps which appear above the 
surface in every direction. Thej; are miniature 
islands of noisome filth, which is all the time de- 
composing and throwing oil noxious gases under 
this torrid heat. But let us examine them closer." 
The boat was moved up to one of the knolls, and 
the Doctor proceeded to dissect it with an oar blade. 
THE AIR THE PRESIDENT BREATHES. 
''You will notice the polor and odor of this mass. 
Either will be enough to convince you as to the 
character of the deposits. Then, again, watch how 
the least motion of the oar blade covers the surface 
of the ooze and water with bubbles. That indicates 
that the mass is undergoing rapid chemi- 1 
cal changes and throwing off volumes of 
gas. Look at the rauk and tropical luxuriance 
of the vegetation. That grass has been fed by a bed 
of compost, and now serves as a perfect barrier to 
arrest the greater portion of the drainage of the 
northwest section of the city and to hold it hero to 
fester under the direct rays of the summer sun. Of 
course it is the proper thing to maintain that 
these influences are exaggerated and that but 
little if any harm to the health of our 
people exists in the conditions presented here 
around us. Your nose is a good and safe guide, how- 
ever, and it has already told you that the air wo are 
breathing is charged with the germs of disease. 
Another thing-this is being borne to that building." 
With a sweep of his hand the Doctor 
directed the eyes of the reporter city- 
ward. There the first structure that caught 
the gaze was the Executive Mansion, its 
white walls standing out in bold relief, less than a 
half mile distant, so near that the windows of the 
southwest room, in which the President lies, would 
be regarded as an easy mark for a sharpshooter. As 
the boat moved on up the tortuous channel the 
Herald representative said: - 
''Doctor, you are then of the opinion that the ex- 
halations from those flats are such as to render the 
White House an undesirable summer residence?" 
"Most decidedly. It is a well known fact that 
alreadj' several of the attaches of the White House 
have succumbed to this influence. One of them was 
a man of splendid physique and in perfect health 
when he was called upon to assume the duties of 
nurse at the President's bedside. To-day he is in a 
very low condition, suffering with every symptom of 
malarial poisoning. What effect has been produced 
on the President in his reduced state by these ex- 
halations I cannot tell, as my knowledge of his con- 
: dition has been gathered entirely from the official 
bulletins of his attending physicians. The daily 
recurrence of the febrile rise, though, is most sig. 
I nificant, and the regularity with which it makes its 
1 appearance would tend to awaken suspicion in my 
mind. My own opinion is that the President is now 
in much greater danger from the pestilential vapors 
of the Potomac flats than from Guiteau's bullet." 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 4-8:30 A. M. 
The President continues to improve. Ho slept 
well during the night, and this morning looks and 
expresses himself cheerfully. Another satisfactory 
day is anticipated. At present his pulse is90, tem- 
perature 98.4 and respiration 18. The next bulletin 
will be issued this evening, and hereafter the noon 
bulletin will bo dispensed with. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, F. H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss authorizes the statement that the Presi- 
dent is having an excellent day. The 12:30examina- 
tion has just been made, with thofollowing result: 
Pulse 96, temperature and respiration normal. Ths 
; patient continues to take increasing quantities of 
nourishment and is daily gaining in strength. All 
| reports of unfavorable changes should be discredited 
NEW YORK HERALD 
Unless they have official authentication. The Presi- 
dent's condition at this hour is better than at any 
time since his injury. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss reports at half-past four P. M. that this 
is very decidedly the best day that th? President has 
had since his injury. He has had no lever, ate quite 
a hearty breaklast of beefsteak, potatoes and toast 
at eleven A. M., and has been comfortable all day. 
The weather is very warm again, but the refrigerat- 
ing machines in the bisement furnish an arund- 
ant supply of dry air at a temperature of 52, 
and the atmosphere of the President's room is kept 
at about 75 degrees, which is found to suit the pa» 
tient best. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
As the morning bulletin indicated would probably 
be the case, the President has passed another good 
day without drawback or unpleasant symptom of 
any kind. He has taken his nourishment well and 
shown little fatigue after his dressing and changes 
of position. The wound is doing w^H both in ap- 
pearance and in the character and amount of dis- 
charge. At half-past twelve P. M. IPs pulse was 96, 
temperature 98.4, respiration 18. The afternoon 
rise of temperature came on late and was moderate 
in degree. At seven P. M. his pulse is 102, temper*, 
ture 100.2 and respiration 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. K, BARNES, 
J. J. WOODWARD, ROBERT REVBURN. 
FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
[Unofficial.] 
Exbcuuve Mansion-11:15 P. M. . 
The President has had an extremely comfortable 
and satisfactory day, and is better at this hour than 
at any time heretofore. The afternoon fever sub- 
sided early in the evening, and, in view of the pa- 
Dent's quiet and favorable condition, it was decided 
to omit the usual hypodermic injection of sniphats 
of morphia and seo if sleep would not ensue without 
it. The result justified expectations, and the patient 
is now sleeping quietly and naturally, without fever 
or other unfavorable symptom, and with every pro* 
pect of continued improvement. 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
^gik. ^ghas. august. 5. issi. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TFT! HERALD. 1 
Washington, August 4, 1881. 
For the first time in nearly two weeks tire noon- 
day bulletin of the President's condition was dis- 
pensed with. Prior to the relapse on Saturday, 
•July 23, when the condition of the patient was re 
ported as (xcellent, theatteuding physicians omitted 
the twelve o'clock bulletin. It was announced this 
morning that hereafter but two official reports would 
be made out, and this gives rise to various rumors, 
which were telegraphed to New York, but none of 
which were confirmed upon inquiry at the White 
House. 
OBSTINATE symptoms. 
The statemeut officially promulgated to-night 
that the temperature was 100 2-10 and the pulse 102 
was not as reassuring as the tenor of the bulletin 
this morning led mod persons to hope it would be. 
The temperature of 'the room is uniformly kept at 
75, so that the oppressive heat of the day 
could have had no influence whatever in ag- 
gravating the case. The President's temperature 
■has been over 100 at night but once for 
ten days and only three times since the 23d of 
July. Nevertheless the physicians say that the 
wound is Healing rapidly, and that food is being 
taken with good appetite, in variety and in increas- 
ing amount daily. Until the quantity is sufficient 
to repair the ordinary waste of tissue, supply new 
blood and overcome the drain of pus the physicians 
do not expect a lower pulse, though they would be 
very glad it the feverish symptoms disappeared 
more rapidly. The President is disposed to talk 
freely about matters outside of those relating to his 
fatality, and wonders when he will have an oppor- 
tunity of going to Mentor. That has been upper- 
most in his mind for several weeks. 
Dr. Hamilton having disposed of the reports 
about pyaemia is now combating stafements that 
the President has malaria. He says that he has not 
been afflicted with it in the slightest degree; that he 
does not show any symptoms of it in hissystem, 
and that there is none of it there. Quinine is still ad- 
ministered in three grain capsules, and if it is effica- 
cious in destroying malarial'poison the President has 
certainly taken enough to eradicate it. His physi- 
cians say that it is given for its tonic properties 
and not because of their belief in malarial complica- 
tions. 
NO PAIN FROM THE BULLET. 
It was reported that the change made in the po- 
sition of the patient contracted the abdominal mus- 
cles and caused pain in the region where the ball 
has been located. Dr. Bliss emphatica'ly denies that 
this is so and adds that the elevation of the body so 
that the rest is now at an angle of thirty degrees re- 
freshes the patient very much. The Doctor also 
denies that he has ever said that the President 
was out of danger. His experience with gunshot 
wounds would forbid him making such a statement, 
for until the patient is on his feet it is beyond the 
power of a surgeon to say that all dagger is passed. 
Dr. Hamilton adds that, in his opinion, the President 
will get well. "All the symptoms point to full re- 
covery of health and strength," and to this opinion 
he will adhere until the evidence is against all hope. 
In reply to the direct question, "Do yon think the 
President will recover?" the Doctor said: - 
"I have no doubt whatever of his ultimate recov- 
ery." 
To interrogatories relative to moving the patient 
from the Executive Mansion he replied that nothing 
could yet be determined on, as the President was in 
no condition to be moved. He thought, however, 
when the proper time arrived that a trip down the 
Potomac would be decidedly beneficial and hasten 
his recovery. 
In another interview tc-night Dr. Hamilton said 
that ho was struck with the marked improvement 
in the President's condition from what it was at the 
time of his last visit, and that this was, perhaps, 
more perceptible to him than it would be to those 
who see him every day. He also said that the daily 
febrile rise is a necessary consequence of the wound, 
and would have been the-same if the President had 
only received a fracture of the ribs. 
The President's condition at midnight was re- 
garded as very good. No morphine was used after 
the last dressing of the wound, and yet at that time 
he was sleeping quietly and the prospects were that 
he would pass a comfortable night. 
WORSE THAN THE BULLET. 
This afternoon, in company with a well known 
scientific gentleman of this city, a representative of 
the Herald made a tour of inspection of the Poto- 
mac Flats, or the "Kidwell Bottoms," as they are 
generally termed. Embarking in a small boat just NEW YORK HERALD 
WHY THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. 
A representative of the Herald asked Dr. Robert 
Reyburn to-night why it was that while the official 
bulletins gave the most encouraging statements of the 
President's general condition, that the temperature 
continued to range so high; for instance, that this 
I evening at seven o'clock it was 1004-10 and had ranged 
correspondingly high at that hour for some days. 
That this had been the subject of much comment in 
professional circles, and the cause of much anxiety 
all over the country among that class of citizens 
who had learned to rely upon the bulletins as af- 
fording the best information as to the true condi- 
tion of the President. 
Dr. Reyburn replied that it was an easy matter to 
give the true reason for this high temperature; that 
at present throughout that portion of the wound 
which comes in contact with the drainage tube 
healthy granulation has set in, and the effect of 
this granulation was to contract the orifice. 
As a result the space occupied by the 
drainage tube had grown somewh t smaller, 
and the small apertures along the length of the tube 
were obstructed to some extent and some difficulty 
experienced in keeping them clear. This tended to 
retard the discharge ol pus. and a higher degree of 
febrile rise was the consequence. This difficulty 
could be readily overcome, however, by the use 
of a tube of Larder material which would not 
succumb to the pressure produced by the 
gradual healing of the wound and by 
multiplying the number of orifices along the length 
of the tube and perhaps modifying the shape of 
these apertures to some extent. In conclusion. Dr. 
Reyburu said that this was simply one of the fea- 
tures of the case that required close attention, and 
while it might produce a temporary elevation of the 
temperature no serious results would result from 
it, as already steps had been taken to prevent it in 
future. 
THE WHITE HuUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 5-8:30 A. M. 
The President slept naturally the greater part of 
the night, although he has taken no morphia dur- 
ing the last twenty-tour hours. His improved con- 
dition warranted several days ago a diminution in 
Ui* quantity of morphia administered hypodermi- 
cally at bedtime, and it was reduced to one-twelfth 
and afterward to one-sixteenth of a grain in the 
twenty-four hours without any consequent unplea- 
sant result, and finally has been altogether dispensed 
with. The President's condition inis morning ex- 
hibits cofitinuea improvement, and a good day is 
anticipated. At present his pulse is 88; tempera- 
ture, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLlbS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K BARNES, 1'RANK H. HAMEL ION. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-1:15 P. M. 
The President continues to make slo* but steady 
progress toward recovery. He ate about the usual 
quantity of breakfast this forenoon, consisting ot 
beefsteak, potatoes, toast and milk, and lias up to 
this hour rested quietly and comfortably. His pulse 
Is not high, he is entireiy tree from fever, and is at 
this moment going to sleep. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:50 P. M. 
The expectations ot the surgeons that the Presi- 
dent would have a quiet, comfortable day have been 
lully realized. His progress toward recovery con- 
tinues untnierrupted. His temperature and respi- 
ration throughout the day have been normal, and h s 
pulse has ranged irom 88 to 98. He lias had no lever 
whatever up to this hour, and is now asleep. 
[Official.], 
Excutive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has passed another good day. The 
appeirance of the wound and the character and 
amount of the discharge of pus continue satisfac- 
tory.j He has taken an adequate quantity of 
nourishment ana ' has had several pleasant naps 
during the day. At half-past twelve P. M. his pulse 
was 98; temperature, 98.4; respiration, 18. After 
four P. M. his temperature began to rise, as usual, 
but to a moderate degree and without perceptible! 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NUW YOIlK' SATLiR]>A:. AUGUST 6, 1S8I. 
[BY TELEGBIPH TO THE HERALD 1 
Washington, August 5, 1881. 
•'You might say," said Dr. Bliss this evening, 
•'that the President Is getting along admirably. 
The story has become so monotonous that we have 
only a few terms that we can use, and those are ex- 
hausted in our morning and evening bulletins. 
The President can't recover his strength in a day or 
a week. The healing of a gunshot wound 
is sometimes quick, but more frequently it is a slow 
operation. All the evidences point to a healthy clos- 
ing of the wound. So long as wo have no relapses 
there is no reason to fear bad results. With these 
preliminary remarks," said the Doctor, "you will 
better understand the evening bulletin." 
The members of the Cabinet, it is said, have such 
a correct diagnosis of the case that they are prepar- 
ing to leave Washington on the 15th of August. 
That would be a Monday. The inference is also 
made that the President will leave on the same day, 
if not the Saturday preceding. A thousand old 
slippers will help his luck, if he were ready to de- 
part to-morrow. 
CONDEMNING THE BULLETINS. 
One of the leading physicians here said to your 
correspondent to-night:-"While I don't like to say 
so, these bulletins for the past four or five evenings 
indicate that a fire of some kind has been kindled in 
the President's condition. They are not evidences i 
of that returning health that we have all been taught 1 
by the utterances of those in attendance upon the 
President to believe. This recurring fever means any- 
thing else than recovery of strength, notwithstanding 
what the bulletins say on the subject. There is 
something wrong on the inside. What that is I 
can't tell, though my opinion is that it is a conse- 
quence of the bullet being left in the body of the 
President. X am perfectly well satisfied from what 
I know of Dr. Hamilton that he don't like the looks 
of things, and that if he thought the condition of 
the President would stand it he would have taken it 
out long ago. It is a source of constantirritation and 
has to come out sooner or later. My idea is that the 
sooner the better, for with it where it is these fevers 
will continue, and fevers mean a burning up. They 
more than offset the repairing processes of the other 
parts of the body." 
I asked it the fact that the President obtained 
sleep last night without the use of morphia was a 
favorable sign. 
He said:-"No; my idea is that it is not. It shows 
that there has been such a consumption of strength 
that the patient was not strong enough to resist 
sleep, even if he wanted to." 
UNSEEMLY WRANGLING. 
The public buildings and grounds in this city are 
in charge of Colonel Rockwell, who has exclusive 
jurisdiction over them under the law. The District 
authorities have no right to inspect them without 
asking permission of Colonel Rockwell or at his re- 
quest. It is notorious that the sewer connections 
at the White House are imperfect and allow a con- 
stant flow of sewer gas into the building, there 
being no sufficient trappage to prevent it. There is 
in this city an official whose duty it is to inspect all 
plumbing work. Were the same state of things as 
exist in the White House to exist in any private 
house in the city he would be able to enter it and 
make the necessary inspections. Between Colonel 
Rockwell and the Health authorities it is alleged 
that the feeling is not as pleasant as it could 
be. The chief of the Health office is Dr. 
Smith Townshend, who was the first physi- 
cian to reach the President when he was 
shot at the depot, but whose services were 
afterward dispensed with by Dr. Bliss. While this 
unfriendly feeling exists there is no official inter- 
course between the two officials. The Inspector of 
Plumbing is ready to inspect the sewer connections 
of the White House, but it is said that Colonel Rock- 
well has no faith in his ability, he having only oc- 
cupied his present position a few weeks, and he has 
not, therefore, requested him to do it. In the mean- 
time nothing has been done toward correcting 
the evil referred to in these despatches nearly a 
week ago, and the sewer gas still has an uninterrupted 
flow into all parts of the .Executive Mansion except, 
perhaps, the President's own room. 
It is recalled that when Mrs. Garfield was suffering 
from malaria last spring and her case was said to be 
very close to a typhoid condition the spring which 
supplies the Executive Mansion with water was 
carefully examined, and even the concrete pave- 
ment was torn up to discover whether the sewer be- 
neath might not be defective and allow a leakage of 
impure water into the course of the spring by 
which the water used at the Executive Mansion was 
vitiated. NEW YORK HERALD 
encystment of the ball had progressed favorably^ 
the present state of affairs would not be so apt to 
exist and the genera', condition of the patient would 
be more favorable. On the whole, there does not 
seem to be any indications of malaria or 
pyfemia, but more of a low typhoid 
state induced by the overtaxing of the system, by 
surgical fever and consequent prostration. In 
nearly all the bulletins there have been impor- 
tant omissions as to the condition of the 
secretions, whether there were natural evacuations 
of the bowels and kidneys; the condition of the 
tongue or whether there was any un- 
natural tinge and moisture or dryness of 
the skin. A knowledge of this kind is an 
important guide to an intelligent diagnosis by the 
outside physicians.'' 
"The condition of the President to-night as shown 
by the bulletin is sufficient ground for continued 
apprehension. However, should the President rally 
within a day or two everything may again dock 
bright." 
DBS. HAMILTON AND AGNEW ON THE GROUND. 
Dr. Heyburn was asked to-night in regard to the 
unexpected rise in the President's tempera- 
ture, In reply he said that it was not 
causing any serious apprehension, although 
the general condition of the President aid appear 
to warrant it; that when the examination was 
made for the seven o'clock bulletin the attending 
physicians were somewhat surprised to find the 
temperature as high as 100 8-10, and a second exam- 
ination was made to verify the figures. 
The question was then asked if the fact that the 
periods of high temperature appeared to occur at 
intervals of seven days had awakened any suspicion 
that it might be due to the influence of malaria. 
"Not the slightest," was the answer. "It is more 
probably due to the extreme heat of the weather. 
To-day is the third very hot day we have had 
consecutively this week, and it is very possible that 
this extreme heat is at the bottom of the nigh tem- 
perature exhibited in to-night's bulletin." . 
"How is the discharge from the wound?" 
"Quite satisfactory," answered the Doctor; 
"there has been a full discharge, and there is noth- 
ing to indicate the formation of another pus 
cavity." 
Notwithstanding all this, however, it is evident 
that the President's physicians feel considerable 
uneasiness to-night. They have all remained 
at the White House, except Dr. Hamilton, who 
went to the depot to meet Dr. Agnew, who 
arrived by the fifteen minutes past ten train 
from Philadelphia. It is also stated that 
Dr. Hamilton will not return to New York to-mor- 
row should the unfavorable symptoms manifested 
to-night be maintained. 
That it would have been wise tosbave transferred 
the President at the earliest possible moment from 
within the reach of the miasma of the Potomac flats 
is btcjmiug more obvious every day. In regard to 
the statement in these despatches to-day that 
there had been no efforts made to stop the 
flow of sewer gas into the White House the 
District Health Officer says that he offered his ser- 
vices to Colonel Rockwell, who holding the position 
of Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, 
has charge of the White House, but that they were 
declined, for the reason, as stated by Colonel Rock- 
well, that he deemed-it inexpedient to make the re- 
quired inspection until the President had suffi- 
ciently recovered to be moved from the mansion. 
The offer of the Health Officer will then be 
accepted. The fact remains, however, as stated in 
the Herald, that nothing has been done, if this 
reported escape of sewer gas into the mansion is 
going on and nothing is being done to stop it, and 
Dr. Bliss himself declared that the sewerage of the 
White House would be disgraceful to a stable. It is 
doubtful if the President's recovery will be hastened 
any, even if it be not retarded by this neglect. 
It seems to be decided at last that the President 
shall at the earliest practicable moment be removed 
from the Executive Mansion. It is equally certain 
that whatever trip may be mapped out by his 
physicians he will prior thereto spend a short time 
at the National Sol Ilers' Home-the Central Park 
of Washington. It is the intention of the physi- 
cians to detain the President at this place until he 
shall have recuperated sufficiently to undertake a 
journey either by land or water, as the case may be. 
This is considered a more prudent course than to 
convey the patient directly from the sickroom to a 
nr steamer. 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 6-8'30 A. M. 
The President has passed an excellent night, sleep- 
ing sweetly the greater part of the time, wl hout the 
aid of morphia or any other anodyne. This morn- 
ing he is cheer ul, and all the indications promise 
another favorable day. Pulse, 92; temperature, 
98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, ERANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-1 P M. 
The President continues to do well. He said to 
the surgeons this morning that he felt better than at 
any time since his injury. His breakfast this fore- 
j noon consisted of beefsteak and potatoes, toa-t, tea 
and a few strawberries. The latter were much rel- 
ished. The patient has had thus far a comfortable 
day, and at this hour his pulse is 100, and his tem- 
perature and respiration are normal. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President passed a comiortable morning, his 
Symptotns anil general condition being quite satis- 
factory. At half-past twelve P. M. his pulse was 
100; temperature, 98.5; respiration, 19. During the 
afternoon he complained somewhat of the weather, 
the external heat being such that it was found im- 
practicable to keep the temperature of his room 
much below 90, without closing the windows and 
doors, which was not thought prudent. The after- 
noon rise of temperature began as late as yesterday, 
but has been higher, though unaccompanied by dry- 
ness of skin. At seven P. M. his pulse was 102; 
temperature, 101.8; respiration, 19. The appear- 
ance of the wound at the evening dressing was. how- 
ever, good, and there has been no interruption to 
the flow of pus. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. J. WOODWARD, ERANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. K. BARNES, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:30 P. M. 
Up to about five o'clock this afternoon the Presi- 
dent had a very satisfactory day. although the ex- 
treme heat of the weather cau ed him a good 
deal of discomfort and acted to some extent un- 
favorably upon his general condition. On account 
of a strong hot wind from the south it was lonnd 
impracticable even at the full working capacity of 
the refrigerating machines to keep the tempera- 
ture of the patient's room down, without 
closing the doors and windows, and this it 
was not thought prudent to do. Gold air 
enough was furnished by the machines, 
but instead of filling the room and crowding out the 
heated air, as it had hitherto done on warm diys, 
the cold air Itself was swept away almost as fast as 
it came from the pipes by the hot south wind, 
which blew strongly though the mansion. 
The thermometer in the patient's room, therefore, 
for the first time in several weeks ranged from 85 
io 90. This temperature, of course, operated to the 
President's disadvantage in his present weak 
condition and his afternoon fever was 
higher than usual. There was no indication 
however, of any other cause for the increased febrile 
rise. The discharge of pus at the evening dressing 
was satisfactory. There were no symptoms of ma- 
laria, and with the single exception of higher bodily 
temperature the condition of the patient at 
seven o'clock seemed quite as good as 
yesterday if not better. Soon after the evening ex- 
amination the fever began to abate, the President 
went to sleep naturally without anodynes and has 
rested quietly ever since. Before ten o'clock 
the febrile rise had entirely subsided, and at this 
hour-half-past eleven P. AL-the patient's pulse 
is again ba ow 100 and his temperature is normal. 
He is sleeping peacefully, and as the weather has 
grown cooler, with refreshing rain, there is every 
probability that he will have a good night. 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PEOPRIETOB. 
NEW YORK. SUNDAY, AUGUST 7. 1881. 
'[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 
Washington, August 6, 1881. 
A complication exists in the President's case to- 
night of such a grave nature that it would be use- 
less to attempt to disguise it or offer a wordy ex- 
planation of its cause. 
SUSPICIOUS DELAY OF THE BULLETIN. 
The evening bulletin, supposed to be issued at 
seven o'clock, was not given out until half-past 
eight. The febrile rise to-night is greater 
than it has been since July 12, not ex- 
cepting the relapse of July 23. The free flow of 
pus has again been interrupted internally some- 
where, probably, and the President has a fever 
which alarms his physicians, as it sets at defiance 
all the recognized descriptions of conditions accom- 
panying gunshot wounds of a similar nature. 
IS IT ANOTHER PUS CAVITY? 
Tho unnatural rise of temperature cannot be 
accounted for now save by the admission that 
another pus cavity is forming in the 
interior of the body beyond the reach of 
the surgeon's lancet. The indications are, or 
the probability at least is, that the formation of the 
pus causing, as is supposed, the high temperature 
to-night, is in the region of the ball. It has been 
gradually manifesting itself for six days. The tem- 
perature on Saturday, July 30, was 100 2-10. 
Since Tuesday last it has not been but onco 
below 100, and for the last three days it has 
been over 100. Thursday night it was 100 2-10; Fri- 
day, 100 4-10, and to-night 101 8-10, nearly four de- 
grees above normal. Such a steady rise has at no 
time marked the progress of tho President's case. 
SOME COINCIDENCES. 
The evening before the relapse of Saturday, July 
23, at seven o'clock, his temperature was 100 2-10, 
and it will be remembered that the pus cavity 
was said to have formed thirty-six hours 
before the unfavorable symptoms were manifested. 
Prior to that the evening temperature was never so 
high as to night except on tho nights of July 11 
and 12, and even during the first week of his con- 
finement it was lower than it is reported to-night. 
During the five weeks ended to-day his 
tempera'ure at seven o'clock in the even- 
ing has been higher than it is to-night 
but five times. For the past week the high 
pulse has been accounted for by the low physical 
condition of the patient. The temperature so close 
to a typhoid condition cannot be blown away by the 
morale which the attending physicians resolved a 
week ago should be maintained. 
TYPHOIDAL SYMPTOMS. 
This evening a physician, who does not pretend 
to have had any experience with gunshot wounds, 
but who has had a large experience with ty- 
pho-malartal cases, said:-"The craving which 
the President has manifested for fruits out 
of season shows unmistakably that his 
system has very little tone. Peaches are not the 
kind of fruit that a convalescent would crave, and 
as for strawberries the season for them was over be- 
fore the wound was received. It is the greed of a 
patient who wants acids and he asks for extremes, 
nature's confession that its wants are not intelli- 
gible." 
"The symptoms during the last few days," 
continued the Doctor, "in other words-, the obsti- 
nate high pulse, all indicate deeper mischief than 
the surgeons lately a ticlpated. The external wound 
according to the bulletins has continued to dis- 
charge sufficiently. Now, if this be the case, what 
is tho nature of this mischief? Is it a burrow- 
ing of the pus in the muscles of the back, 
an hour glass contraction of the track of the ball 
by which the matter is dammed up? Or, 
admitting that the ball passed directly through 
the abdomen and lodged in its anterior 
w 11, is it irritative fever, following 
inflammation from perforation of the mesentery, or 
suppurative action of that attachment? For to this 
the intestines hang. The burrowing of the pus 
in the muscles of the back would be 
the most likely to be discovered by the physicians, 
and as there is no mention of any suspicion or 
characteristic condition of th* kind, this can 
be eliminated as a cause. There are 
other possible causes, one ot which is the 
exhaustion from the continued strain of the past 
five weeks on the system, principally from the 
excess in discharge ot pus. There is no 
question that the presence of the ball, 
by its great size and irritation, con- 
tributes to the general depression, no matter 
how or where located. The emaciation is now 
so great that this is a necessary conse- 
quence. If in the past five weeks the doctors say it does it is not the cause of the rise of 
temperature, but that the trouble lies in the track* 
of the ball. Its removal would give a better exit to 
the pus. 3o far there has been no sign, it is said, 
of an abscess where the doctors say the ball is lo- 
cated, and as the President has lost much llesh an 
abscess would be easily discerned if one had formed 
in its vicinity. 
WHY THE BALL SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT. 
Dr. Purvis, one of the physicians who attended the 
President on the day of the shooting, was asked: - 
"Do you thiuk a decrea'-o of temperature and 
pulse would Immediately follow the extraction of 
the ball?" 
"If the ball was removed there is no doubt of it. 
The absence of the ball would record a modification 
at once. But the thing is to get at the ball." 
"Then your opinion is that the presence of the ball 
is the source of irritation?" 
"Yes, I think so. The symptoms show plainly 
that the doctors in attendance are mistaken in think- 
ing that the encysting of the ball has begun." 
"Do you not think that if the physicians deemed 
the President strong enough to undergo an opera- 
tion they would have removed the b ill ere this?" 
"So far as I am able to judge ho is sufficiently 
strong to stand the operation. Of course the ex- 
traction of the ball depends upon where it is located. 
If the ball is whero the doctors fancy it is I should 
thiuk they would take it out." 
'•Is there any danger of peritonitis sotting in at 
this late day?" 
'■Well, the case is just this. There are three things 
that may endangen the patient's life:-First, ex- 
haustion from this constant irritation; second, the 
formation of another abscess in the cavity of the 
pelvis, and third, pyaemia might yet set in." 
"Is there any likelihood of lockjaw?" 
"Yes; irritation very often terminates in lockjaw. 
Several instances have come under my observation 
where the presence of a bullet or foreign body 
irrit ting the nerves has resulted in tetanus. If the 
President had died of lockjaw two weeks ago I 
should not have been greatly surprised." 
ELECTRICAL PROBES CALLED FOB. 
Professor Ball being absent from the city his as- 
sistant, Mr. Taintor, was called to the Execu ive 
Mansion late this afternoon to consult with the at- 
tending surgeons regarding the use of tho eleciric 
probe, and ha was requested to bring two 
cells of battery to the Mansion to-morrow 
morning. Should it be determined to use 
the instrument at this time, it will probably 
be for the purpose of ascertaining tho exact course 
of tho wound irom the surface of tho body to the 
spot where the ball is lodged and if possi- le to 
discover whether there is a pus cavity, and, 
if so, its exact location. The electrical probe 
is a flexible tube about twelvo or fourteen 
inches long, through which fine flexible wires 
run, attached to an indicator. In endeavoring 
to locate a ball the instrument is gradually pushed 
forward, following the channel, into which it may 
be inserted until it reaches an obstruction. As soon 
as the ball is reached by the probe the indicator is 
affected, and the result is at once apparent to 
the person performing tho operation. The 
perfect flexibility of the instrument enables the 
operator to follow the course of the channel very 
minutely, and, while there is nothing about the in- 
strument to give an indication of a pus cavity, it is 
thought chat if one existed it might be discovered 
by an inser'ion of the instrument, inasmuch as tho 
tube is liable to enter a cavity from th > direct 
course of the wound, in which event it would, of 
course, resist the pressure of the operator, without 
announcing its contact with the ball. It is 
understood that the surgeons want to procure 
a perfect diagram of the wound, and it is, 
therefore, probable that the electrical probe may 
be used for the purpose. The insertion of the tube 
is said to be a rather trying operation. The rigollt o 
referred to above is a powerful anodyne, possessing 
greater strength, it is said, than either ether or 
chloroform. It is rarely used in surgical operations, 
for what reason is not mentioned. A spray of it 
d.rected upon the flesh is capable of freezing it in a 
very short time. 
It is stated by a friend of Dr. Agnew that at tho 
time that surgeon made the incision into the pus 
cavity opened two wcks ago he was strongly in 
favor of proceeding at once to the extraction of the 
ball, but after a long consultation deferred to the 
opinions of flic other physicians. 
Dr. B.iss iu an interview to-night spoke very en- 
couragingly about the patient, saying that he was 
resting comfortab'y and had expressed himself 
in a general way as feeling as well 
as usual. In reply to a question re- 
garding Mr. Taintor's presence at tho Mansion 
this afternoon he said ihat he (the Doctor) had 
several electric probes, one of which ho did not un- 
derstand, and ho requested Mr. Taintor to furnish 
him with somo battery for the purpose ot adjust- 
ing the instruments. This the Doctor explained 
as a precautionary measure, saying that 
it might be desirabo to use the instrument sooner 
or later. When asked again about the cause of the 
continued high pulse and temperature the Doctor 
.replied:-"It mav be caused by a tardv flow of dus. 
but we have not yet discovered it. The discharge 
continues perfectly healthy and is apparently 
free." The Doctor said further that there was 
nothing to wirra.t the supposition that another 
operation would be necessary. He also repeated the 
assertion that the ball would not be cut out unless 
it should be found to be doing the patient harm. 
Concluding, the Doctor said, "We will probably 
know more about the matter in the morning." 
SHARPENING THE STEEL. 
Dr. Bliss sent to a cutler to-day and had all the 
instruments and accessories requisite iu an opera- 
tion put in order, and it is understood that what- 
ever is determined upon in the morning will be 
done at once. All the physicians attached to the 
case will be nt the White House at an 
early hour, and it is thought that what- 
ever is decided upon will be carried out 
before the issuance of the morning bulletin. The 
healing of the exterior portion of the wound has 
progressed to an extent that materially interferes 
with the free insertion of the drainage tube, and 
this in itself will necessitate some prompt action to 
permit the tube to be inserted far euough into the 
wound to allow it to perform Its function of drain- 
ing away the discharge. From a person who re- 
cently saw the President it is learned that he is 
emaciated to a remarkable degree and helplessly 
weak. To quote some of the language used, "He is 
reduced to skin and bone." 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 7-8:30 A. M. 
Shortly after the bulletin of last evening was is- 
sued the President fell into a pleasant sleep, during 
which the febrile rise subsided and was no longer 
perceptible when he awoke at ten P. M. Subse- 
quently he slept well, though with occasional breaks 
during thereat of the night. No morphia or other 
anocyne was administered. This morning he is in 
good condition, although the effects ot the febrile 
disturbance of yesterday are still slightly percepti- 
ble in pulse and temperature. At present his pulse 
is 96; temperature, 98.7; respiration, 18. 
FRANK H. HAMILTON, J. K. BARNES, 
D. HAYEaAGNEW, J. J. WOODWARD, 
D. W. BLISS, BOBER1 REYBURN. 
[Official.! 
Executive uTansion, 7 P. M. 
The President has been comfortable during the 
day, although his temperature began to rise earlier 
than yesterday, and rose almost as high. At halt- 
past twelve P. M. his pulse was 104; temperature, 
100; respiration, 20. At seven P. M. his pulse was 
104; temperature, 101.2; respiration, 20. Never- 
theless ne has been able to take nourishment as 
usual, Xud has had several refreshing naps during 
.the day. The discharge of pus has been liberal and 
healthy in character. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN. 
J. K. BARNES. FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. D. HAY^AGNEW. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:15P. M. 
The President is now sleeping quietly, without 
morphia. His pulse is 96. The examination in the 
morning will bo very thorough, and will probably 
result iu determining accurately the cause and na- 
ture ot the increased rise in pnlse and temperature. 
The mansion has been closed tor the night. 
The President's Condition. 
The reports from Washington in regard to 
the cjndition of the President are of a 
character to excite anxiety if not alarm 
as to his recovery. While the attend- 
ing physicians profess to have the most 
thorough knowledge and to hold the com- 
plete mastery of the case, and while they 
are confident that they can meet every dan- 
gerous phase and emergency that may 
arise, the fact stands out bald and naked 
that the distinguished patient is not mak- 
ing the progress toward recovery that the 
country from the official bulletins his been 
led to expect. During the past forty-eight 
hours very dangerous symptoms have mani- 
fested themselves, and it is feared that an- 
other pus cavity has been formed. The 
•'heroic treatment," which was at first sug- 
gested and at the time rejected as unwise 
and injudicious, is at last beginning to be 
seriously considered. It is to be hoped 
that a blunder has not been made in the 
diagnosis and treatment, and that, despite 
the gloomy and disheartening reports 
which come to us this morning, the Presi- 
dent will yet find his way to a complete re- 
covery. 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
TAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW yoRK, MONDAY. AUGUST 8. 1881. 
[BX TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] 
Washington, August 7,1881. 
A feeling of anxiety has pervaded tho city to- 
night ever since the evening bulletin ot the Presi- 
dent's condition was made pub'ic. Tho morning 
bulletin had shown a high pulse and a temperature 
above normal, which had not happened since the 
morning of July 14. 
THE DOCTORS SILENT. 
Tho noon bulletin has teen discontinued, but the 
eximination at that time showed a high pulse and 
temperature and quick re-piration, much higher 
as to pulse and temperature than has hitherto 
been recorded at that hour. In the even- 
ing the evidences wore still unfavorable, 
with no explanation from tho physicians, all of 
whom are in attendance upon tho President, the 
bulletin being now signed with the names of both 
the consulting surgeons, Drs. Hamilton and Agnew, 
and those of the four attending surgeons. The day 
had been delightfully cool and the temperature of 
the President's room has been about seventy-five. 
It is significant, too, that the occasion of the fever, 
which last night was attributed to tho excessive 
heat, is not stated in the evening bulletin of to-day. 
But little definite information can be gained at the 
White House to-night as to the President's true 
condition. That there was a maintenance of tho un- 
favorable symptoms was about all that could be got 
from the bulletin. The most persistent inquiry 
failed to elicit any details whatever. Even as late 
as halt-past eleven o'clock, when the closing unoffi- 
cial bulletin was issued from the Executive Mansion, 
the slowing of the pulse to 96 beats a minute was 
the only feature of the President's condition at that 
hour that was made public, nothing being said about 
the height of his temperature or tho rapidity of his 
respiration. 
THE CONSULTING SUBGEONS WATCHING THE CASE. 
Dr. Bliss was questioned as to whether there were 
any symptoms that indicated the formation of 
another pus cavity. He replied emphatically that 
there were none; that at the dress ng of the wound 
this evening a most careful examination of the 
matter discharged from the wound was made; that 
no discolorations or streaks were perceptible under 
the magnifying glass; that the flow was fully as 
great as could be expected; that there was nothing 
in the odor of tho pus to indicate that its flow was 
being retarded at any point along the track of tho 
wound, and that had such been the case the pus dis- 
charged would have given off tha peculiar odor of 
sulphuretted hydrogen, which is a sure sign 
ot the formation of another pus cavity. The 
question was then asked if there was anything to 
indicate trouble in the immediate vicinity of tho 
ball, and if so whether it was of such a nature as 
would require its extraction. The doctor answered 
that there was not, and that the rise in temperature 
was due entirely to the traumatic fever and that 
there was no intention of taking any steps toward 
the extraction of the bullet. All that could bo said 
was that the febrile rise was the result ot the wound, 
and its increase within the past twenty-four hours 
had been the result of the extremely hot 
weather. In the face of this it is known 
that the continued high temperature has caused 
much anxiety to the two consulting surgeons, Drs. 
Hamilton and Agnew, and they have, after a con- 
sultation, deemed it advisable that both of them 
should remain in the city and carefully watch the 
case. 
AN OPEBATION FOB THE BULLET. 
It is understood that preparations have been mode 
to make such an examination to-morrow morning 
as will enable them to determine why it is that the 
fever continues and the period of high temperature 
begins earlier each day. Should this examination 
establish the fact that a pus cavity is being 
formed at a point along the track of the 
ball immediate efforts will be made to reach it and 
draw off the matter. In the event that this cavity 
is found to be located anywhere in tho immediate 
vicinity of the ball there is but little doubt that 
such an incision will be made as will not only re- 
lieve the accumulations which are suspected to 
exist but that the ball itself will be extracted. It is 
also understood that in view of a possible operation 
to be made to-morrow to remove the ball, and as a 
preparatory step thereto, a number of surgeons' 
silk sponges and a quantity of rigoline, the latter 
to be used as a spray locally to deaden the pain dur- 
ing the operation, have been ordered to bo sent to 
the White House at eight o'clock iu the morning. 
In this connection the opinion is expressed by out- 
side physicians who have closely watched the 
progress ot the case that if the ball Jies where the and said he felt much better. The sick- 
ness of the stomach which nearly flways 
folows ethciization and which was expected 
did tnot come on for nearly half an hour. 
When it did it weakened him somewhat, but the 
thought that the worst was over more than made 
up for it. Mrs. Dr. Edson, though she sat up all 
night, remained with him until he had recovered 
and then took a rest, returning to his bedside by ! 
three o'clock in the afternoon. At his request she 
has sat up with him daring the nights since Thurs- 
day night last, instead of during the day, as here- 
tofore. Mrs. Garfield left the room just before the 
operation was decided upon and did not return 
until after it was over. She spent the remainder of 
the day with the President until five o'clock, when 
she was reminded by the patient that the time had 
arrived tor her to take her drive. 
WISDOM OF THE OPEBATION.) 
In conversation with an eminent surgeon of this 
city to-night he said to your correspond- 
ent that the acceleration in the pulse 
and temperature was but the natural result 
of etherizition In a weak man. Ordinarily 
the nausea should not happen and probably meant a 
good deal. The condition of the President at this 
time must be regarded as extremely critical and suf- 
ficient to cause the deepest anxiety for his re- 
covery. In the bulletins issued to-day there 
is no mention that the pus communication has 
been established and the question is suggested 
whether further incisions will be necessary in the 
near future. Wherever located the ball is evidently 
loose, and probably a perpetual source or irritation. 
The theory has been advanced, which seems plausi- 
ble, that the first shot merely grazed the President, 
and while in the act of turning to see from whence it 
emanated the second was fired, striking the rib, and 
being defected took a circuitous route between the 
sheaths of the muscles of the back, lodging where 
, it is now said to be. This, under ordinary circum- 
' stances, however, ought not$ without deeper injury 
being done, to produce the serious results that have 
| been present from the first. From the nature of 
that portion of the body penetrated by the ball it 
should not be flattened or jagged. 
I "Here is a ball that proves this assertion," said 
the physician, exhibiting a ball. "It is probably 
about half the weight of that which en- 
tered the President, and was removed from 
the spine of a man, where it was buried 
an inch deep, requiring to be chiselled out, and yet 
it retains its original shape almost entirely. Of 
course, therefore, in the soft tissue its 
presence would produce a constant in- 
flammatory process. Erysipelas, which is only 
another form of blood poisoning, is another pos- 
sible danger to complicate the situation, and is 
likely to result from an extensive burrowing of the 
pus in the muscles of the back. The opera- 
tion to-day would be rendered necessary by a 
failure of the wound to discharge satisfactorily, and 
the location selected, from being the most depen- 
dent part, seems wise, as it would no doubt 
further facilitate tiie discharge even if a pus cavity 
involved the interior wall of the abdomen." 
THE BULLET TO BE TAKEN OUT. 
A careful examination of the withdrawn drainage 
tube before the surgical operation to-day showed 
that the course of the wound after passing between 
the eleventh and twelfth ribs was so directly down- 
ward that the tube was crooked and contracted and 
that the holes or inlets of the tube were clogged, and 
that very little pus accumulated within the pipe. 
When the pus cavity was tapped by the first operation 
Dr. Agnew said that the new channel was probably 
in a direct line with the course of the 
ball. The experiments and the examinations since 
made now leave no room for doubt that the whole 
course of the wound is downward, the abdominal 
end being at least six inches lower than where the 
ball entered the back. The opinion is also held that 
it is circuitous as well as downward. The hope and 
aim of the surgeons will bo to remove the ball at 
the earliest moment the President's condition will 
warrant the operation lor that purpose being 
performed, so that there may be no more 
pus cavities formed from any cause. One 
of the effects of the ether ad ministered to" 
day was nausea. Little nourishment of any kind 
could be given the patient, and to this lack of food 
and the excitement caused by the operation the 
surgeons attribute the alarming febrile rise to- 
night, which they say will probably continue until 
after midnight. They added a statement in the 
evening bulletin that the fever was not as high as 
they expected it to be. Of course when the doctors 
do not attach any importance to the high tempera- 
ture. and announce that under the circumstances it 
must be regarded as moderate, the remark of 
Surgeon General Barnes that the President had 
passed as comfortable a day as at any time since he 
was wounded may also be regarded under the same 
circumstances as an extraordinary assertion. 
It was not deemed advisable to experiment with 
the electric probe to-day, although Drs. Agnew and 
Hamilton wore both anxious to ascertain more 
definitely the exact course of the wound. 
Professor Taintor was present to assist the 
surgeons in its use and everything was in 
readiness for the examination after the operation. 
NEW YORK HERALD 
"Was the President made acquainted with the inj 
tention of the surgeons?" 
"O.i, yes. It was fully explained, and he under- 
stood the matter perfectly." 
"Did he show a disinclination to submit to a sec- 
ond incision ?" 
"Quite the contrary. He was very cheerful about 
it, as he is about everything. He has an indomitable 
will, and has, 1 believe, courage enough to submit 
willingly to any operation calculated to promote his 
condition. The doctors have remarked that ho is an 
exceptionally patient sufferer." 
"Before this operation begun why was ether ad- 
ministered to the patient when the first operation 
was undergone without the use of an anesthetic?" 
"In the ijrst operation, which was of a short du- 
ration, a spray of ether was applied to the vicinity 
of the wound. In the cutting this morning it was 
inhaled by the patient for the reason that the opera- 
tion would be long and tire the President unneces- 
sarily if he was conscious of the act." 
THE POINT OF INCISION. 
"Where is the incision made this morning lo- 
cated?" 
"Just below the twelith rib. The first cut was 
made above this rib. The drainage will now flow 
under the rib. But the two cuts are in such close 
proximity that at a cursory glance they look like 
one opening." 
"Was the flow of blood great?" 
"No, it was small." 
"How much time was consumed in the opera- 
tion?" 
"About an hour." 
"Was a record tauen of the temperature, pulse and 
respiration immediately after the operation was 
finished?" 
"During all operations the pulse and respiration 
are watched and kept under close observation. But 
as to the tepiperuture it was thought advisable not 
to inconvenience the patient any further than was 
absolutely necessary. He recovered from the effects 
of the operation and ether very nicely. In fact he 
raided remarkably quick and showed a disposition 
to converse upon the subject of the operation." 
"What did the President have to say when he re- 
gained consciousness?" 
"He asked for a lull explanation of what had been 
done. Dr. Bliss gave him a complete description of 
the operation, and the President was an interested 
listener to every word that fell from his lips." 
"Did he ray he felt the knife?" 
"Father asked him if he felt any pain during the 
operation, and he replied that once or twice he ex- 
perienced slight pain." 
"Did the patient appear to rest peacefully after the 
cut was bandaged?" 
"Yes, quite so. After the conversation I have just 
spoken of he fell asleep." 
THE PATIENT'S A JI SIXTY. 
Mrs. Dr. Edson, speaking of the operation, said 
that the President was told soon after his wouna 
was dressed, about eight o'clock this morning, that 
it was thought best to make another effort to 
straighten and extend the track from which the pus 
flowed so as tp assist its removal. The President 
asked if it was necessary. He was told that it was. 
His next question was, "Will the operation be an 
extensive one?" It was evident from this that he 
had an idea that possibly the surgeons intended cut- 
ting for the bullet. Dr. Agnew saw this and, sitting 
by the side of the bed, assured the President 
that no extensive operation was intended. He then 
explained whalfwas to be done and the purpose in 
detail, telling him that the operation could not be 
attended with any difficulty, that it was simple in 
character and that they thought good results would 
follow. The President listened attentively and* 
being satisfied from the explanation of its propriety, 
consented, first asking whether it would be painful. 
। He was told that it would not. The President 
said, "I am glad it will not bo, for I can't 
stand much." This was the first time that 
he had ever shown any signs of fear, and 
the doctors after thinking over the matter 
for a while thought it best to administer an anes- 
thetic. It was known to the physicians that the 
President was averse to taking any anesthetic, as he 
had expressed himself freely on that point on the 
occasion of the first operation, when he volunteered 
to have the incision made rather than take ether. 
This conclusion was communicated to the Presi- 
dent, and he consented to take the other. The judg- 
ment of the physicians was that he was not able in 
his weakened condition to stand the operation 
without insensibility being first produced. The 
President gave the closest attention to the prepara- 
tions. Finally, when the napkin cornucopia, 
in which was held the sponge saturated with ether, 
was applied to his nose he took a long breath, ^nd 
after looking around, said:-"If you are ready, I 
am," and nerved himself up for the operation. He 
soon succumbed to the influence of the ether, and 
the surgical tusk was performed. Upon recovering 
sensibility,.one of the first questions he asked was 
whether or not the incision had been made. He was 
told it had. His next question was, "With what re- 
sult?" and upon being told "with the most satisfac- 
tory result," he smiled and remarked:-"I am glad 
it is over." He was cheerful in his demeanor 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW VO11K. TUESDAY. AUGUST 9. 1881. 
[BY TELEGBAPH TO THE HEEALD. ] 
Washington, August 8, 1881. 
An operation was performed by Dr. Aguew on the 
President this morning, and its success dispelled 
much of the anxiety which had everywhere been 
manifest during the past thirty-six hours. The fact 
that the surgeon's skill would again be required to 
tree the wound from accumulated pus, while the 
temperature still indicated fever, made the Presi- 
dent's friends seriously ask how long he could en- 
dure the strain of the fever and the drain of the 
wound. 
SIX DOCTOBS CONSULTING. 
After the morning examination the six doctors met 
for consultation iu the room adjoining that of the 
President. It had been noticed for several days 
that the granulating process was interlering with 
an easy insertion of the drainage tube. The original 
wound hud healed inside the mouth and so had the 
short track of the wound from the tenth to the 
eleventh rib. The channel made by Dr. Agnew's 
lancet two weeks ago also showed signs of healing. 
The fear was, therefore, thatthe accumulation of pus 
through the track of the wound would complicate 
the case and make recovery more uncertain. It will 
be remembered that the ball entered between the 
tenth and eleventh ribs, slightly fracturing the 
tenth, which caused the conical ball to be deflected 
downward, when it encountered the eleventh rib, 
badly fracturing it, and from thence was supposed 
to have passed through the liver across the ab- 
dominal cavity and lodged in the anterior wall of 
the abdomen near the rieht iliac fossa. While the 
locality of the ball is not questioned, the attending 
and consulting surgeons have changed their opinion 
as to the course by which the ball reached its place 
of lodgment. It will also be recalled that during 
the first experiments made with the induction bal- 
ance nearly two weeks ago the back was first thor- 
oughly explored with the bullet seeker, as a ma- 
jority of the physicians present-viz., Drs. Agnew, 
Barnes and Woodward-had an idea that the ball 
had lodged in the back. It is now understood that 
the course of the wound is around the body. A 
high official said to your correspondent to-day that 
his information was to the effect that its course had 
been followed fifteen inches, and that it was 
through the muscles of the back. 
□ HE KNIFE INSEBTED. 
With this opinion uppermost in the minds of the 
surgeons, it required but a short doliberation to de- 
cide that another channel would have to be cut 
lower down the back than was made when the pus 
cavity was opened two weeks ago, the object being 
now to cause a constant downward drainage of the 
wound. About nine o'clock the patient was made 
ready tor the operation. A fine spray of rigoline 
Was directed against the spot wnerc the incision was 
to be made, to numb the flesh, and ether was ad- 
ministered gradually, until the President was insen- 
sible to what was going on about him. Guided by 
an instrument which followed the track of the 
wound, Dr. Agnew, to whom the operation was in- 
trusted, pushed the exploration until he reached a 
point where the course was under the twelfth rib, 
and below which the track did not appear to tall 
IVith the precision of the skilled surgeon a cut was 
made, forming another outlet for the pus and a drain- 
age channel more advantageous than was made by 
the operation of July 24. Dr. Agnew said it was 
not a difficult or a dangerous thing to do, and the 
hope now is that the wound can be thoroughly 
drained. If the ball is not irritating the patient 
then the healing process from the encystment of 
the ball to the mouth of the wouud will gradually 
follow, with no more or very little chance of febrile 
rise to be caused by the damming up of pus. 
AN EYE-WITNESS' DESCBIPTION. 
Dr. E. B. Bliss, a son of Dr. D. W. Bliss, has, since 
the third day of the shooting, been an eye-witness 
of the operations performed and has also been 
present at the daily dressings of the wound. He 
sa>d to your correspondent this evening that it was 
decided at the consultation yesterday morning that 
it would be necessary to perform a second opera- 
tion. The physicians were then satisfied that it was 
necessary, so this morning, as narrated, the opera- 
tion began. The trial will be deferred until such time as the 
President's condition is more normal. The other 
examinations recently made have been with flexible 
probes, which could not indicate externally such de- 
viations in the course of the wound as the electrical 
probe is constructed to do. , 
GRAVITT OP THE PRESIDENT'S CASE. 
The evening bulletin shows that the President's 
pulse at seven o'clock was as frequent as 108 and 
hie temperature 101.9. It is reported that his pulse 
was as high as 118 at one time to-day. He is also 
quite nervous. A short distance from the Presi- 
dent's house is a garden adjoining thd old Van Ness 
estate, which is monopolized by colored people for 
picnics and dancing. The noise of the music to- 
night made the President nervous and rest- 
less and the place was closed by the police. 
About ten o'clock he fell asleep with- 
out the use of the hypodermic injection, 
which it was feared would be required owing to his 
feverish condition in the earlier part of the evening. 
A gentleman who left the Cabinet room at the White 
House a few minutes before nine o'clock this even- 
ing states that the impression prevailed that the 
situation was a very grave one. The absorb- 
ing interest and anxiety was as to how the 
patient would pass the night. Even the physicians 
manifested this anxiety and were alarmed, he says, 
at tue recurrence of the unfavorable symptoms. 
When they made the first incision several weeks ago 
they did not think that a repetition of the opera- 
tion would be necessary, not so soon at any rate. 
The coustant formation of pus betokened 
the presence of an irritant which seemed 
to defy their efforts to allay it. Had 
the bail made a straight cut it would have been an 
easy matter to' draw oil this pug. and at this period 
the wound should be nearly healed. It was the im- 
pression of those who ought to know that if the 
President should recover it would be a 
work of months, and the good result of 
probably continued operations till the ball 
was extracted. The irritation it produced 
established this fact, for instead of the promised 
encystment there was a continued discharge of pus 
from tiie region in which the ball had been stated 
to be located. In conclusion, the speaker said:- 
•'The evening bulletin was very carefully considered 
and discussed by those in the Cabinet room and 
created an uneasiness which it was impossible to 
conceal." 
ANXIETY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 
Up to midnight there was much solicitude at the 
White House to ascertain whether there had been 
any change for the better in the President's condi- 
tion as compared with the figures given in the 
bulletin issued at >even o'clock. The same 
reticence, however, prevailed, but it was ascer- 
tained that the pulse at ten o'clock exceeded 
by six or eight beats the figures given 
in the evening bulletin. Dr. Agnew said to-night 
that he thought it very probable that the high tem- 
perature and accelerated pulse would continue 
through the night and possibly to-morrow and to- 
morrow night. He felt confident, however, that 
the emptying of the pus cavity opened to-day would 
be followed by a return of the favorable condi- 
tion of the case, which, unless some new complica- 
tion should arise, would be maintained. Dr. Bliss 
was inclined to dissent from this, and gave it as his 
opinion of the present aspect of the case that by the 
time for issuing the bulletin to-morrow morning 
the pulse, temperature and respiration would ap- 
proximate closely to normal. Shortly after ten 
o'clock Dr. Bliss gave out one of his characteristi- 
cally informal bulletins, which was as follows:- 
"The President has just awakened from a refresh- 
ing sleep. He has taken nourishment and is in real 
good condition. Fever Blight." 
This view of the case was unfortunately over- 
thrown by the expressions of another man directly 
from the sick room-one of the nurses-who stated 
that the President was not resting as quietly as 
they wished, and that the irritation consequent 
upon the operation of to-day had about reached its 
height, and the best that could be hoped was that it 
would quickly subside. 
The extent of the nourishment taken to-day has 
been a small quantity of milk and beef tea, and up 
to eleven o'clock it had been given him but four 
times since the operation performed in the morn- 
ing. Nausea is still feared and the utmost caution 
has to be observed in giving liqufd diet. 
THE Wb ITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] | 
Executive Mansion, August 8-8:30 A. M. , 
The President passed a comfortable night, and I 
slept well without an anodyne. The rise of tempera- 
ture of yesterday afternoon subsided curing the 
evening and did not recur at any time through the 
night. At present he appears better than yesterday 
morning. Pulse, 94; temperature, 98.41; respira- 
tion, 18. 
FBANKH.HAMILTON, J. K. BARNES, 
D. HAYES AGNEW, J. J. WOODWARD, 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-10:30 A. M. 
It having become necessary to make a further 
opening to facilitate the escape of pus, we took ad- 
vantage of the improved condition of the President 
this mqrning. Shortly after the morning bulletin 
was issued he was etherized. The incision extended' 
downward and forward, and a counter opening was 
made into the track of tho ball below the margin of 
the twelfth rib, which, it is believed, will effect the 
desired object. Ue bore the operation well, a>d has(J 
now recovered from the effects of the etherization' 
and is in excellent condition. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, THANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-10:45 A. M. 
An operation, the exact nature ot which cannot at 
present be ascertained, was performed upon the 
President this forenoon. The results were entirely 
satisfactory, and an official bulletin, with details, is 
now in course of preparation and will be ready 
within halt an hour. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-1 P. M. 
The necessity of the operation which was per- 
I formed upon the President this morning became 
apparent to the surgeons yesterday, when 
they found that a drainage tube of the 
size hitherto used could no longer be passed 
along the track of the ball between the ribs. 
The process ot granulation at that point had 
gone on so far as to partially close the orifice, and 
the ribs prevented the pushing aside of the flesh 
which was healing between them enough so that ihe 
tube could be introduced. The result of this state 
ot things was that pus termed in the deeper parts of 
the wound rather faster than it eould escape 
through tho half-obstructed opening between the 
ribs, and its gradual accumulation began to cause 
disturbance. It was therefore decided to make a 
new opening into the track of the ball below the last 
rib. so that the ribs should no longer prevent the 
keeping open ot the wound by the solid backing 
which they afforded to the granulating flesh be- 
tween them. Tho operation was performed, at the 
request of the other surgeons, by Dr. Agnew. 
As soon as the patient had been put under 
the influence of ether a long and slightly 
curved instrument was introduced into the wound, 
pushed between the ribs and carried downward 
along the track of the bullet until its end conld be 
feit below the last rib from the outside. Holding 
this instrument in the wound as a guide. Dr. Agnew 
then made a counter incision below the twelfth rib, 
cutting directly through the integument until his 
knife mot the end of the first mentioned instrument 
at the point where he wished to intersect the track 
of the ball. The operation was neither difficult nor 
dangerous and the patient bore it and the etheriza- 
tion extremely well. There is now an opening to 
the deeper parts of the wound which does not. pass 
between the ribs and which can always be kept tree 
and unobstructed, and no further trouble from the 
accumulation of pus is anticipated. Since the opera- 
tion the President has rested quietly and is now' 
asleep. His pulso at this hour is 100, and he has 
neither fever nor any otner unfavorable symptom. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
Hie President has felt rather weaker this after- 
noon than usual, and has experienced some nausea 
as a result of this morning's etherization. On the 
whole, however, he has rallied well from the opera- 
tion, and the surgeons report ins condition as satis- 
factory. His puise is a little higher than yesterday 
at this hour, but as there is hardly any perceptible 
fever the rise is attributed to the gastric disturb- 
ance caused by the ether. The nausea has now 
passed away and tlie patient is resting quietly. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
After the last bulletin was issued the President 
suffered somewhat for a time from nausea, due to 
the ether, but this has now subsided. He has had 
several refreshing naps and his general condition is 
even better than mignt have been expected alter the 
etherization and operation. At noon his pulse was 
104; temperature, 100.2; respiration, 20. At present 
his pulse is 108; temperature, 101.9; respiration, 19. 
Under tho circumstances the fever must be re- 
garded as moderate. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial] 
Executive Mansion-11:30 P. M. 
The President aid not fully recover from 
the effects of this morning's surgical op- 
eration until alter the evening examina- 
tion. He suffered more or less throughout 
the aiteruoon from nausea caused by the ether. He 
was rather weaker than yesterday, and was not able 
to take the usual quantity ot nourishment. Milk 
with lime water was given him as soon as his 
stomach would bear it after the direct effects of the 
ether had passed away, and later in the day 
he had meat juice and beef extract, but he 
was allowed no solid food. His pulse, probably as 
a result of the gastric disturbance, was rather high 
during the afternoon, and at half-past four went 
to 110, but his temperature did not 
rise correspondingly until about the time 
ot the evening examination, when it 
reached 101.9. The febrile rise shown by this tem- 
perature was more pronounced than usual, but it 
was fully accounted for, in the judgement of fhe 
surgeons, by the operation and its conse- 
q ueut nervous excitemen and by the nause 
and other effects ot the ether. It therefore caused 
no anxiety. Early in the evening the fever began 
to subside and the President went to sleep quietly । 
without anodynes. Since that time his puise 
and temperature have slowly fallen and 
his general condition has improved. At 
this hour-half-past eleven P. M.-his pulse is 98, 
his skin is moist and healthy in tone, his tempera- 
ture is not more than half a degree above normal, 
and he continues to sleep quietly. Dr. Bliss expresses 
the, opinion that he will have a good, refreshing night 
and that when he awakes he will be entirely tree 
from fever. It is possible that there may be consid- 
erable febrile disturbance again to-morrow before 
the patient begins to permanently improve, 
bnt the ultimate result of to-day's opera- 
tion is expected to be a marked and 
decided change for the better. Thq incision made 
this morning cannot be closed or obstructed by the 
process of granulation, as the old track of the ba 1 
was between the ribs, tor Ihe reasan that the cut 
is through the soft parts of the body, where 
there are no bones to prevent the spreading 
or separation of the sides of the wound whenever 
they begin to close in the process of healing. The 
present incision, therefore, can bo kept open and un- 
obstructed as long as may be necessary and no 
fear is entertained of a further suppression of 
the discharge. Dr. Hamilton returned to New York 
to-day. 
SECRETARY BLAINE TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
Tiie following telegram was sent this morning by 
Secretary Blaine to Minister Lowell at London:- 
' During the past three days the President lias pe- 
riodically experienced a rise of temperature, indi- 
cating another obstruction to the Sow of pus. A 
surgical operation was performed at nine o'clock 
this morning by Dr. Agnew, assisted by all the 
surgeons in attendance, by which a fresh communi- 
cation between the pus cavities and the surface of 
the body has been effectually established. The oper- 
ation was performed unoer the influence of ether. 
The President endured it well, and nt this hour (half- 
past ten) is doing as well as could be hoped. 
Secretary Blaine lent the following to Minister 
Lowell to-uigut:- 
The President's condition at eleven o'clock to- 
night is considered by his physicians as encourag- 
ing. The increase of pulse and temperature is re- 
garded as a natural result of the radical operation of 
this morning, in which a deep incision, three inches 
in length on the surface, was made. The same 
cause may possi bly produce a still higher pulse and 
temperature to-morrow, after which a decided 
amelioration is confidently anticipated by the sur- 
geons. 
Another Operation. 
Another operation was performed upon 
the President yesterday, and in the stereo- 
typed style of the Washington bulletins "he 
bore it well." As he was under the influ- 
I ence of ether it was hardiy to be expected 
that he would bear it otherwise, unless 
there was some apprehension that the ether 
might affect him badly. If there was such 
apprehension it must bo a case of great 
gravity that would overcome that objection. 
But why was this operation done ? Mr. 
Blaine, in his despatch to Mr. Loweil, 
says :-"During the past three days the 
President has periodically experienced a 
rise of temperature indicating another ob- 
struction to the flow of pus." This rise of 
temperature has, of course, not escaped the 
public observation, and its pathological re- 
lations have not escaped the vigilant 
Herald correspondent in Washi; gton, 
who has in the past two days 
sounded very di-tine.ly the note ' of 
alarm as to the serious aggravation of the 
President's ca-e and the grave apprehen- 
sions of a renewed peril to his life. But 
whether the President's surgeons have all 
seen the case clearly we do not know'. Dr. 
Bliss was asked on Sunday-which was the 
third of the above three days-"Whether 
there were any symptoms that indicated 
the formation of another pus cavity?" And 
the answer was as follows He replied em- 
phatically "that there were none ; that at 
the dressing of the wound this evening a 
most careful examination of the matter dis- 
charged from the wound was made ; that no 
discolorations or streaks were perceptible 
under the magnifying glass ; that the flow 
was fully as great as could be expected; 
that there was nothing in the odor of the 
pus to indicate that its flow was being re- 
tarded at any point along thp track of the 
wound, and that bad such been the case 
the pus discharged would have given off the 
peculiar odor of sulphuretted hydrogen, 
which is a sure sign of the formation of 
another pus cavity." The question was then 
asked if there was anything to indicate trou- 
ble in the immediate vicinity of the ball, 
and if so whether it was of such a nature 
as would require its extraction? The Doc- 
tor answered "that there was not, and that 
the rise in temperature was due entirely to 
the traumatic lever. All that could be said 
was that the febrile rise was the result of 
the wound, and its increase within the past 
twenty-four hours had been the result of 
the extremely hot weather." 
This, it will be noticed, is from one of the 
surgeons who signs the bulletins. He did 
not know<on Sunday that there was any 
trouble about Jhe pus ; but on Monday an 
operation was necessary, because for three 
days there had been an "obstruction to the 
flow of pus." Really the other doctors ought 
not to keep Dr. Bliss in ignorance of the 
real condition of the patient and yet require 
him to sign the bulletins. 
It is a serious moment in this important 
case. At the end of thirty-eight days the 
patient is "helplessly weak," is "reduced to 
skin and bone," has lost by emaciation pre- 
cisely one-third of his weight and it is neces- 
sary to put him under ether and cut for 
pus. NEW YORK HERALD 
and pulse may continue tor several days, but after* 
that he will get along very well. The heat worries 
him on hot days, just as it does every one else. Of 
course wo cannot keep the windows closed, conse- 
quently the hot air comes in. The thermometer, 
though, at the register where the cold air enters 
the room was down to fifty-six on the very hottest 
days, but near the bedside the temperature was up 
to ninety." 
THE BEASON OF THE LAST OPERATION. 
Your correspondent met Ur. Boynton just after 
the seven o'clock bulletin was issued. Tho Doctor 
was going out for a short walk. Being asked what 
was the general feeling among the attending sur- 
geons with regard to the bulletin just Issued he 
said: - 
•'Well, as far as I know, none of them express any 
feeling of alarm. This rise in pulse and tempera- 
ture is no more than can be expected after the long 
and painful operation of yesterday. You must re- 
member that it lasted nearly an hour. That was 
enough to produce a high fever in a patient who has 
not suffered what the President has. There was no 
pus cavity discovered or opened yesterday. It was 
simply an enlargement of the former incision to allow 
a freor discharge of pus. Heretofore the discharge 
| has been between theoleventh and twelfth ribs. It 
was found that the opening at that point was closing 
up, evidently caused by suppuration or healing. 
The mouth of the original wound ig healing up 
rapidly and it was deemed necessary to make au 
opening below the ribs. It was a long and tedious 
ioperation, but it was entirely successful and will 
undoubtedly produce favorable results." 
"How does the President appear, and at what time 
is he most inclined to talk?" 
"The General appears to be very cheerful usually, 
except while suffering with fever. Then he seems a 
little downhearted. He has occasionally exhibited 
signs of despondency. He is usually in good spirits 
and is inclined to converse in the morning, when he 
is feeling fresh and somewhat stronger after a good 
night's rest." 
"Has he been cheerful and in good spirits to-day?" 
"Well, under the circumstances the General has 
been as much so as could be expected. Dr. Agnew, 
before leaving this afternoon, went up to his bed- 
side and hade him goodby, and the General asked 
him, 'How am I getting along, and when shall I be 
able to sit up ?' Dr. Agnew told him he was doing 
nicely, and if the present improvement continued 
he would be able to sit up inside of three weeks." 
"Doctor, is there any reason why the pus should 
not settle at the extreme end of the wound, in the 
vicinity of the ball? Would it be any more than 
natural, that point being considerably lower for the 
pus to flow downward instead of up?" 
"Oh, there are no symptoms of such being tho 
case. I believe it is the general opinion of the at- 
tending surgeons that the ball has become encysted 
[and the wound at that point has begun to heal 
from the fact that all the soreness and pain 
in that region has disappeared and when a gentle 
pressure of the hand is made in that locality it is 
impossible to force tho slightest quantity of pus 
out, as was done several days ago. The indications 
are that the wound has healed at least two inches 
from where the ball is supposed to be located. I 
have just left tho sick room, and while the 
General's pulse and temperature are rather high at 
this time. I have every reason to believe that they will 
subside betoro morning. He has taken nothing but 
1 quid nourishment during the day, but with appa- 
rent relish. This febrile rise will probably continue 
for a day or two longer, but alter that I believe the 
improvement will be marked." 
THE PATIENT WRITES HIS NAME. 
A pleasant incident occurred in the sick room this 
moruing. It appears that after the dressing of the 
wound the President was in better spirits than usual, 
and the doctors taking advantage of the fact in- 
dulged in some mild levity between themselves. 
Finally, Dr. Bliss said to th) President that he be- 
lieved he could sign his name to a document as well 
as he had ever written it. Tho Pres'dent replied, 
"Have you a pencil, doctor?" 
"Yes," answered the Doctor, "here is one." 
'J hereupon a small tablet, used by the doctors in 
writing out the bulletins, was also handed the Presi- 
dent. Heheld it up before his eyes with his left hand 
while he wrote upon it with the pencil he held in his 
light. He did not raise himself while performing 
the task, but lay as the doctors had placed him. 
lieturning the pencil and tablet to the Doctor, he re- 
marked:- 
"There! what do you think of that signature for a 
sick man ?" 
The doctors immediately crowded around Dr. 
I Bliss anxious to get a glimpse of the chirography, 
and were astonished to see written upon the tablet 
in a steady round hand: - 
I J. a. Garfield, 
$ August 9, Idol. s 
Dr. Bliss tore off the sheet bearing the writing and 
put it in his pocket. 
SCHUTLEIi COLFAX SMILES. 
Between one and two o'clock to-day ex-Vice Presi- 
dent Colfax, who has been summering at Fortress 
Monroe, came to the city for the purpose of ascer- 
taining from Dr. Bliss the true condition of affairs. 
They met in one of the rooms at the White House, 
and after a few preliminary remarks Mr. Colfax told 
the Doctor the object of his mission and asked 
what was the real condition oi affairs. 
The Doctor replied that he could not 
give him a better answer than to show him 
something he had in his pocket. He then drew' out 
the autograph, remarking that there was not a 
stroke in it tHat betrayed the slightest nervousness 
or unevenness. 
"Do give me that, Doctor," exclaimed the ex-Vice 
President. 
"I can't," rejoined the Doctor. "I mean to send it 
to my daughter as a souvenir of the President's 
sickness." 
However, Mr. Colfax prevailed upon the doctor, 
who Anally relinquished his prize. Mr. Colfax 
never wore a broader smile than he did a few 
minutes attcrwardas he wended his way through the 
door of tlie White House. Another cheering sign of 
the patient's condition, it is said, is the fact that he 
can aid himself in many small ways. When warm 
he picks up a fan and propels it with a vim. He also 
drinks unaided a glass of water. It is simply handed 
to him and he places it to his lips with apparently 
no effort. 
Dll. BUSS DISPENSING CONEECTIONKBY. 
About half-past eight o'clock#to-night Dr. Bliss 
went into the telephone room to get shaved, and 
while there he was asked several questions, which 
he declined to answer, remarking that he was in no 
humor to be interviewed to-night, after having 
been so badly treated by the leading papers 
of the country. An hour later he relented 
and came out of the sickroom and seated himself 
in the centra of a group of correspondents, lit a 
cigar and puffed away with apparently much enjoy- 
ment In answer to numerous questions ho said:- 
"The President is doing as well as can pos- 
sibly be expected. The wound is freely 
discharging very healthy pus. At the 
dressing this evening, after we removed 
tho piece of Rut that absorbs all the j>ns near the 
mouth of the incision, and which we now substi- 
tute for tho drainage tube, we cleaned tho entire 
channel out thoroughly. The discharge was rather 
copious, but there were no signs of matter in that 
which was extracted. I am as hopeful to- 
night as I hav^ been at any time. This 
fever will probably not last more than a day or 
two, and atter that I predict that the improvement 
which was so noticeable a short time ago will bo 
resumed. The President's appearance is more 
improved than it has been at any time 
within the past two weeks. His counte- 
nance does not have that tight-drawn ex- 
pression indicative of suffering that it wore 
for several days. He has fallen away 
to some extent, but not to a mere skel- 
eton, as I have seen it stated in some of 
the newspapers. He has lost considerable Aesh, as 
is natural in the case of a gunshot wound. It is the 
impression of many that there has been a 
relapse in the President's case, but such is 
not the fact. There was a stoppage in the discharge 
of pus caused by the healing of the wound at the 
point between the eleventh and twelfth ribs, and as 
soon as it was discovered this second operation was 
decided upon. We have a clear and unobstructed 
Aow of pus now without the use ot the drainage 
tube. Tho wound is kep?thoroughly drained and 
there is nothing to preyeht it speedily healing." 
AN ENCOURAGING SIGN. 
Secretary Blaine and his family leave here to- 
morrow morning for his home in Augusta, Me., 
where he will spend a short time, and then visit 
several of the New England watering places. His 
present programme is to return in six weeks. Sec- 
retary Blaine has had his annual attack of malaria, 
which has kept him in his room for the past two 
days. Before Dr. Agnew went aw'ay this afternoon 
he called on Mr. Blaine at his request and assured 
him that while the President was not entirely out 
of danger he was not in any immediate danger, and 
that he could safely go away. The President's 
physicians joined in this opinion, and promised 
Mr. Blaine they wouldkeep him fully informed of the 
President's condition and summon him to tho city 
on the slightest appearance of dangerous symptoms. 
Mr. Blaine intended to have taken this trip some 
time ago, aud it will be remembered started with 
the President, intending to remain away after ac- 
companying tho President to the commencement of 
Williams College. The tact that he has announced 
his iutention of going now is regarded as one of the 
most conclusive signs that Mr. Blaine does not re- 
gard the rclanse ot the President as standing much 
in the way of his ultimate recovery. 
THE HERALD ALWAYS HIGHT. 
It is but two weeks since the National Republican 
devoted two of its editorial columns to an adverse 
criticism of the course taken by the Hebald in pub- 
lishing the tacts connected with the President's ill- 
ness. AU that was then ridiculed as imagina- 
tion or the inspiration of disappointed physicians 
has been admitted, even to the dyspeptic condition 
of the President which was not regarded as of the 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NBW YORK, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 10, 1881. 
[UY TELEGHAPH To THE HERALD. ] 
Washington, August 9, 1881. 
The President, according to the statem nts of the 
attending physicians, has passed another comfort- 
able day. He partook of liquid nourishment with- 
out the renewal of gastric disturbance, and, accord- 
ing to the bulletins, his temperature continued above 
normal, just as Dr. Agnew said last night it would. 
Since the relapse of Saturday, the 23d ult., 
when the consulting surgeons were hurried to 
Washington by special train, either Dr. Hamilton 
or Dr. Agnew, or both of them, have been in con- 
stant attendanci. Yesterday Dr. Hamilton left for 
Now York, and this afternoon Dr. Agnew returned 
to Philadelphia. It was understood that they would 
not both be absent at the same time while there was 
the slightest complication visible. Their departure 
has therefore again inspired a patient hope for the 
President's recovery. 
THE FEVER NO LOWER. 
The fact, however, cannot be lost sight of that the 
President's conditiou for the last six days has not 
corresponded favorably with a like perio i since he 
was wounded, scarcely excepting the first week he 
was prostrated by Guiteau's shot. The recent 
febrile rise was first announced on Thurs- 
day evening last, when the temperature 
recorded 100.2. The morning and noon re- 
cords tor the following two days were normal, 
but the evening bulletin on Friday showed a tem- 
perature of 190.4, and on Saturday 10J.8. Sun- 
day evening last it was 101.2, last evening 101.9, 
and to-night it is also 101.9. For the last three 
days his temperature has been normal but once 
at the morning examination, while at noon 
it has been 100, 100.2, and to-day 99.7. i His 
respiration ranged between 19 and 20. There has 
been no such high pulse and temperature for six 
consecutive days excepting from July 8 to July 13 
inclusive as there has been during the six cays end- 
ing to-night. In the early days of the wound, it is 
true, the respiration was between 23 and 24, but the 
pulse, which the doctors do not now take into 
account, was no higher then than it has been during 
the past six days. These facts tell the r own story. 
A PEN PICTURE OF THE PATIENT. 
Mrs. Dr. Edson, in describing the condition of the 
President, said that for several mornings lately he 
had been feeling unusually bright and had talked 
quietly to his wife and others about him. "We used 
to read a little from the morning papers to him," 
she said, "but he would soon get tired and ask us to 
stop." 
"But since Friday last," she continued, "he has 
been more restless and sensitive to his surroundings, 
so much so that he would not allow the introduc- 
tion of another nurse to replace Mr. Crump, who is 
still unable to return. In fact, he dislikes the ap- 
pearance of a strange face. Dr. Boynton and myself, 
besides being present during the cay. alternate the 
nights. The latter part of the night, during which 
time tho President usually gets hia best sleep. Gen- 
eral Swaim apd Colonel Rockwell take turns in re- 
heving us for a while. This arrangement suits the 
President and we can stand the extra duty very 
well." 
"Do the effects of the last operation show greatly 
in the President's countenance?" 
"Yes, he is looking badly, and it will be some 
days before ho gets back lo the favorable appear- 
ance ho had before the operation. It was on account 
of his very favorable condition that the incision 
was made yesterday. It might have been delayed 
for several days without material danger, but it was 
thought best to do the work while he looked and 
felt able to stand it so well. Besides, waiting might 
allow further complications to make the matter 
worse. The President has lost a good deal of flesh, 
but not scarcely a third of his weight, as some one, 
who has never seen him perhaps, says. He is tired 
and worn looking. It is very hard to lie almost in 
one position for five weeks, as he is almost com- 
pelled to, and when he does complain he invariably 
puts it this way, 'I am so tired.' " 
"In spite of the favorable impressions the doctors 
give, most people are thinking that he is not im- 
proving. What do you think of that, Doctor?" 
"Well, from the first I have given it as my opinion 
that the process of recovery would bo tedious. I 
can easily understand why those outside cannot see 
why wo hope for so much when the President is not 
able to scarcely stir himself after this length of 
time. But it seems to mo that, leaving out the fact 
of the bullet wound, the soreness from the incisions 
that have been necessary are enough to aggravate 
the case and contribute to make recovery long and 
tedious. I think now that the rise in temperature slightest importance prior to the relapse of July 23, 
but which, since Drs. Hamilton and Agnew have had 
charge of the case, has been most carefully con- 
sidered in the diet given to the patient. To-day the 
following editorial appeared in the Republican. 
The confessions which it contains do not now re- 
quire further corroboration:- 
As was intimated in yesterday's Republican, another 
operation was performed upon the President, by 
which tuere will be a freer exit for the pus. Tue 
surgeons say that the patient has experienced 
great relief, and that now there is no 
danger to be feared. There is a waning 
of pub'ic confidence in these assertions of the 
doctors, and they might as well learn that fact now. 
The Republican has heretofore been strictly 
conservative in its statements as to the progress of 
the President's case, otten reiraining from publish- 
ing tacts which would have tended to alarm the pub- 
lic mind, and has given the official utterances 
of the physicians without in any manner 
calling them in question. A case has arisen 
now, however, whicn shows beyond doubt that one 
statement of one of the doctors was, to put it mildly, 
insincere. By reference to the stenographic notes of 
a reporter or the Republican it is found that on Sun- 
day night Dr. Bliss said that "there was no thought 
of any operation by the surgeons in charge." This 
assertion, in the light of the tact that in less than 
twelve hours after it was made, an operation 
was performed, and the further tact that prepara- 
tions lor the operation had been made during the 
day on Sunday, appears to have been made with the 
intention not only of withholding any information 
as to the purposes of the surgeons, but also wiih 
the object of conveying an impression directly 
opposite from those purposes. While it is ad- 
mitted that great care should be exercised by 
the attending surgeons to guard against giving any 
information that might unnecessarily alarm the 
public, it is not believed that that care should go to 
the extent of making an absolute misstatement; 
for, if detected, as it has been in this case, it goes 
much further toward destroying public confidence 
than if no statement had been made or the full truth 
hud been told. 
The white house BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. August 9-8:30 A. M. 
Notwithstanding the effects or yesterday's opera- 
tion the Presicent slept the greater part of the 
night without the use of-ah anodyne. The febrile 
rise or yesterday afternoon Slowly subsided during 
the night. This morning at halt-past eight his 
pulse is 98, tJhinerature 99.8, and respiration 19. 
Since yesterday afternoon small quantities of liquid 
nourishment given at short intervals have been 
retained, and this morning larger quantities are 
being administered without gastric disturbance. 
D. HAYES AGNEW, J. J. WOODWARD, 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN. 
J. K. BARNES, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion, 11:4o A. M. 
Tho President at tins hour is resting comfortably. 
He has taken nourishment quite freely during the 
morning and relished it. Dr. Heyburn says the 
puisc and temperature are at present perceptibly 
lower than when the morning bulletin was issued, 
and he considers that the patient is progressing 
finely. He says there is no cause for alarm what- 
ever. Dr. Agnew considers the President's condi- 
tion to be very encouraging, and he expects to leave 
lor Philadelphia during the day if the patient con- 
tinues to improve. The discharge from the wound 
this morning has been entirely satisfactory, and the 
pus is of a perfectly healthy character. The nour- 
ishment which the President has taken this morn- 
ing consisted of koumiss and milk and lime water. 
All reports that the President is sinking are en- 
tirely unfounded. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 12:30 P. M. 
At the dressing of the President's wound this 
morning it was found that pus had been discharg- 
ing spontaneously and treely through the counter 
opening made yesterday. Ho has been quite com- 
fortable this morning and taken a liberal supply of 
liquid nourishment. His pulse is now 104; temper- 
ature. 99.7; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. barnes. d. hayes agnew. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
The surgeons report that the President has had a 
quiet afternoon, although he has not at any time 
to-day been entirely free from fever. H:s pulse at 
this hour is 104 and his temperature about 100. The 
continuous fever is attributed by the surgeons to 
yesterday's operation. As soon as the patient re- 
covers fully from that they expect a decided change 
for the better. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion -7 P. M. 
The President has been VTrq' easy during the day 
and iias continued to take the nourishment allowed 
without gastric disturbance. The discharge of pus 
from his wound is quite abundant and it is evident 
that thorough drainage has been secured by yes- 
terday's operation. The degree of fever thisT-CAL 
differs little Irom that of yesterday. Pulse, 106; 
temperature, 101.9; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, KOBEB! REYBURN. 
Dr. Agnew returned to Philadelphia this after- 
noon. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-Midnight. 
The President has had to-day a more comfortable 
and quiet day than would be thought compatible 
with a state of continuous fever. He has taken 
more nourishment than yesterday, although 
still in a liquid form, and has experienced 
no recurrence of the distressing nause, which 
aggravated his febrile symptoms yesterday afternoon. 
The new incision is still very sensitive to the touch, 
and even the laying of a piece of lint saturated with 
carbolized oil upon the raw flesh ut the mouth of 
the cut causes pain. It is to this sensitive and pain- 
ful condition of the wound that tho continuous 
fever of the day is attributed. The sides of the 
incision, however, will grow less sensitive 
as they become covered with the natural 
secretions which follow an injury of this kind 
to the tissues, and by to-inorrow or next day the 
new wound will be little more sensitive than the 
old- In the meantime tl.e drainage tubes are dis- 
pensed with and the mouth of the incision is simply 
kept open with a little lint and absorbent cotton, 
which are removed as they become saturated with 
the discharge. The quantity of pin obtained to- " 
day wan not great, but it was apparently* 
all th t the wound contained. Tbq track of tho 
ball was thoroughly cleared, and what irritation 
there now is from the wound must be attributed to 
the fresh incision and not to a retention of anything 
which ought to come out. Ihe old wound made by 
the bullet has entirely healed, mid its mouth is 
partially covered with newly formed skin. 
The intensity of the fever to day was 
about the same as yesterday. The patient's 
pulse rose from 104 at noon to 10(3 at 
I P. M. and the temperature from 99.7 to 101.9. 
Shortly after tho evening examination the fever be- 
gan to abate as it did last night, and at this hour the 
pulse is below 100, and the temperature 
has correspondingly decreased. As the patient 
has slept most of the evening, and as it is 
not possible to hold a thermometer under hs irm 
tor ten minutes without seriously disturbing him 
the exact temperature has not been taken since 
seven o'clock, but it is thought to be below 
100. It is now five days since the last 
hypodermic injection of morphia was given, but 
the patient seems to have no difficulty in getting a 
good night's rest without it. He is now sleeping 
soundly and will have a better night the surgeons 
think than last night. Drs. Bliss and Reyburn both 
report that he is doing extremely well and that a 
decided change tor the better will bo apparent as 
soon as the irritation caused by the new iifcision en- 
tirely subsides. 
SECRETARY BLAINE TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
Secretary Blaine cabled the following this after- 
noon to Minister Lowell at London:- 
At this hour-two P. M.-the physicians give an 
encouraging report of the President's condition. 
Pulse and temperature slightly diminished since 
morning; pus flowing freely; appetite improved. 
He has been able to sleep with comfort, lying on his 
wounded side. 
And the following to-night: - 
At eleven o'clock to-night the physicians 
report the President's condition as satisfactory. 
He sleeps well without the aid of anodynes. 
It is now the sixth day since he took 
any morphine. The pulse and temperature did not 
rise so higli to day from the effect of yesterday's 
operation as the surgeons expected. Tie situation is 
one of continuing anxiety, but also of cheerlul hope. 
DR. AGNEW'S ASSURANCES-"THE CONDITION OF 
THE PRESIDENT NOT ALARMING. '' 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEUALD. ] 
Philadelphia, August 9, 1881. 
Dr. D. Hayes Agnew arrived Irom Washington this 
evening on the 6:40 train and was mot by your cor- 
respondent. He showed every evidence of fatigue 
from his journey, but was in his usual good humor. 
He said: - 
"I left the President about half-past twelve 
o'clock. He was then resting easily, and was in a 
very encouraging condition. The fever is gradually 
abating, and will, I believe, wholly disappear in a 
short time. 
THE PRESIDENT'S TREATMENT. 
"Time and the perfect recovery of the President 
will ere long completely vindicate the medical and 
surgical treatment. I find no fault with criticism 
so far as I am personally concerned. Controversy is 
something out of the question, however, at this 
time." 
"Will any effort be made immediately or at an 
early day to extract the ball?'' was asked. 
"No, indeed," replied Dr. Agnew, emphatically. 
"To any surgeon who has seen tho wound and 
knows the condition of the patient, such a thing 
would still be a thing of the future. Remember, I 
say a thing of the future-when, if at all, is yet to 
be determined." 
"We hear a great many reports about persons at 
the White House being attacked with malaria. Is 
your previous opinion the same since your last 
■visit?" ' 
"I have seen no evidence to induce me to change 
my views," answered the physician, smiling. 
"Washington is hot and has been. There was no 
rain there on Sunday." 
"There was a good rain here in Philadelphia." 
"Well, then, Philadelphia has been better off. 
The President is more comfortable than many other 
sick people in the capital." 
"Will he be moved to the Soldieis' Homa or any 
other place?" 
"Not for the present. There is really no need of 
it, and I would be very unwilling to see him carried 
about mucli anywhere. The condition of President 
Garfield is not alarming, whatever the reports may 
appear to indicate. Tho impartial truthfulness of 
the reports give rise to wrong impressions among 
persons unfamiliar with cases of this kind. I am 
not discouraged nor over anxious. The President is 
doing very well and everything is decidedly fa- 
vorable to his recovery. NEW YORK HERALD 
A SIGNIFICANT COMPARISON. 
They point to the fact that the official bulletins 
Bhow that only three times before in the forty days 
has the pulse been at 110 at noon. The dates re- 
ferred to are July 4 and 5, .and Saturday, July 
23. How high the pulse has been to-day will be 
readily understood when it is stated that it has 
been but 110 even at night but four times-viz., 
on the second and third day after the 
shooting and on the Saturday of and 
the Monday following the relapse. It was 
predicted when the first operation was performed 
that similar incisions might have to be made often 
in order to counteract like troubles. To free an 
orifice of pus accumulations when the same have 
made any considerable headway is one of the most 
troublesome things known in surgery. Ths nature of 
pus, like water, is to force itself through the muscles 
and tissues where the least resistance is offered. 
When its progress is partially retarded a sac is 
formed, but at the same time a certain quantity 
may have forced itself in other parts, and the result 
is a continued series of such accumulations, and, 
consequently, repeated applications of the knife to 
release them. Not only this, but the deterioration 
of the tissues resulting from contact with pus ag- j 
gravates the case. 
Besides the high pulse the temperature has for 1 
seven consecutive days been decidedly feverish. For 
the past five days it has been over one hundred and 
one every night. The official bulletin to-night gave 
as a comparison that the temperature Was almost a 
degree less than yesterday and the day before. Why 
not have added that the last seven days have been as 
bad as the first or the second weeks, and that three 
weeks intervened before these unfavorable condi- 
tions were renewed and the President's improvement 
was said to be as marked and satistactory as it had 
been at any time since he was wounded? 
DB. AGNEW TO CUT THE BULJLET OUT. 
The statement made by Dr. Agnew to the Hebald 
correspondent in Philadelphia last night and what 
appeared to-day, indicating that there was a possi- 
bility of an effort being made some time in the fu- 
ture to locate the bullet in the President's body, 
with a view to cutting it out, is supple- 
mented by a statement which found circulation 
In official circles here to-day. It is well known 
that Dr. Agnew never liked the idea of allowing the 
bullet to remain ip its present location for a moment 
longer than was necessary for, to use his own expres- 
sion in speaking about the matter, "There is more 
room for the ball on the outside of than in the 
body." It was Dr. Agnew's intention on the occa- 
sion of his first visit to the President to advise that 
the bullet be removed at almost any risk, provided 
it could be located with certainty. Upon examining 
the President he was not exactly certain of its loca- 
tion. The President was not able to stand the 
operation necessary then, and, in his opinion, has 
not baen able at any time since. 
It will be remembered that when Dr. Agnew first 
came into the case the popular idea was that the 
bullet had lodged in the liver. He feared the conse- 
quences of probing for it then, though with Dr. 
Hamilton he has several times probed the wound 
since, using a rubber catheter. The probing has 
proved nothing, as it was not prosecuted as far as 
they desired, owing to the pain it gave the Presi- 
dent. The first operation was necessary to open the 
abscess which was formed, but that of Monday was 
not. The latter was made, it is said, more 
with a view of straightening the track 
of the wound than to assist the pus to come out of 
it. Dr. Agnew, it is said, believes that the bullet is 
the irritating cause, and that it had more to do with 
the increased temperature of the past six days than 
the supposed deficiency in the pus discharge. He 
has expressed himself as believing that since the 
opening of the first cavity the discharge has been 
sufficient. It is believed that the operation of Mon- 
day, therefore, was but a preliminary measure in 
connection with the one that will be made as a last 
resort as soon as the President recovers sufficiently 
to stand the shock and consequences of the extended 
etherization that will be necessary. The track being 
straightened there will be much less difficulty in in- 
troducing the electric probe, with which it is 
thought a more certain ascertainment and location 
can be made than with the induction balance, which 
located the ballet only in a general sense. No date 
has been fixed for the operation and none can be 
until some time has elapsed or the President 
gains strength. The experience they have 
now had satisfies the physicians that the 
President cannot stand the effects of ether, 
for he has not yet rallied from that given on Mon- 
day. This complicates the case somewhat, but does 
not deter Dr. Agnew to any great extent, as he be- 
lieves that the case has almost reached a condition 
where the most heroic treatment must bo adopted. 
Secretary Blaine was informed yesterday by Dr. 
Agnew of this decision, and he told several officials 
of it this morning before he went away. 
NO "DISABILITY" OF THE PRESIDENT. 
The signing ot the extradition papers in the case 
of the alleged Canadian forger, Fritch, was the 
first official act performed by the President since 
he received his wound on the second day of July. 
In the case of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation 
in the Navy department. Captain W. D. Whiting, 
who is eligible for the retired list, his successor 
must be appointed by the President, but before that 
could be done it would require the President's ap- 
proval to have Captain Whiting's name placed upon 
the retired list. Although Captain Whiting is now 
wholly blind, which affection has overcome him 
gradually, the Secretary of the Navy says that his 
mind is as clear as ever, and his accurate and won- 
derful knowledge of the details of the entire list of 
naval officers makes his services almost indispen- 
sable. There is no thought of relieving him from 
his position at present. Secretary Hunt says that 
he finds his services as valuable as those of any 
officer under him, and only to-day spent an hour 
and a half in acquiring information which was in- 
valuable to him, and which it would require a 
new officer many weeks, if not months, to attain. 
The necessities of the public business are fully un- 
derstood by the heads of departments, and it is said 
that in the matter of a business condition the five 
weeks' illness of the President bears most favorable 
comparison with five weeks' absence from Washing- 
ton during the summer season of some of his pred- 
ecessors. It is understood that the President will 
hereafter affix his signature to all documents re- 
quiring immediate attention, so that the head of 
the nation may be said to be practically at his post. 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 10-8 A. M. 
The President slept soundly during the night, and 
this morning his temperature is again normal, al- 
though his pulse is still frequent. At present it is 
104; temperature, 98.5; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD. 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT KEYBURN. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-10:55 A. M. 
The continuous lever which has been the most 
marked feature of the President's case for the past 
three or four days subsided entirely during the 
night, and the patient's temperature this morning 
was normal for the first time since Sunday. The 
breaking of the fever was followed by a profuse 
perspiration, and the rather high pulse shown by 
the morning bulletin is probably due to weakness 
resulting therefrom. The discharge of pus at the 
morning dressing was unusually copious, showing 
that the wound is now perfectly and thoroughly 
drained. The drainage tube was put in again and 
the wound washed out with a weak solution cf car- 
bolic acid and water. Since the dressing the patient j 
has taken nourishment in the shape of milk and 
lime water, and at this hour is quiet and comforta- 
ble. The surgeons report that he is doing well. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President is getting through the day in a very 
satisfactory manner. Ho has asked for and taken a 
small quantity of solid food, in addition to the 
liquid nourishment allowed. At the morning dress- 
ing the discharge of pus through tho new opening 
was more free than at any previous time. Its char- 
acter was good, and the wound looks well. His 
temperature and respiration continue within the 
normal range, though the debility following the op- 
eration is still shown by frequency of pulse. At 
present his pulse is 110; temperature, 98.6; respira- 
tion, 19. 
D. W. BLISS. J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has passed an excellent day. The 
drainage of the wound is now efficient, and the pus 
secreted by its deeper portions has been coming 
away spontaneously. The afternoon rise of tem- 
perature is almost a degree less tljan yesterday and 
the day before. Pulse at present, 108; temperature, 
101; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:15 P. M. 
Signs of improvement in the President's condition 
began to be apparent to-day soon after noon. His 
pulse, which had been high during the earlier part 
of the day and which indicated more than ordinary 
weikuess, fell from 110 to 104 in the course of the 
afternoon, and his temperature at the evening ex- 
amination was lower than it had been at the . 
same hour on any day since the 5th. These facts 
were taken as evidence-first, that the wound is 
once more in a healthy condition and free from re- 
tained pus, and, second, that the disturbance caused 
by the operation of Monday has nearly subsided. 
After the evening examination and dressing, 
which were entirely satisfactory, the fever, 
which came on late in the afternoon, began 
to abate and the pulse to fall and 
the patient went quietly to sleep. At this hour- 
fifteen minutes after elevon P. M.-the fever has en- 
tirely disappeared, temperature and respiration are 
again normal and the pulse has fallen to 100. The 
patient has slept soundly without anodynes since 
half-past nine, and will, the surgeons think, have a 
good night and show a decided gain to-morrow. 
His present condition, they say, is in every way en- i 
conraging and satisfactory. 
SECRETARY BLAINE TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
The following was sent this afternoon by Secre- 
tary Blaine to Minister Lowell, at London:- 
At one o'clock P. M. the President's condition has 
not essentially changed since the morning report. 
At twelve noon he signed an important public docu- 
ment, to which his signature was indispensable, 
with a firm, clear hand. 
And the following this evening by Mr. Hitt, Acting 
Secretary of State:- 
President progressing satisfactorily. Is now-ten 
P. M.-in refreshing sleep. Temperature has fallen 
nearly one degree since yesterday. Drainage or 
wound to-day efficient and spontaneous, and he has 
taken more nourishment than any day for five days. 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1881. 
[by telegraph to the HERALD. 1 
Washington, August 10, 1881. 
The President has passed another comfortable 
day. In the opinion of the doctors and attendants. 
The wound has discharged copiously through the 
new incision, with and without the drainage tube. 
It is still quite sensitive to the touch, but will, it is 
hoped, become hardened in a day or two. It is ad- 
mitted to-day, for the first time, that the President 
isa sick man. For, besides the gunshot wound, other 
causes for his continued weakness are said to exist. 
His stomach is very weak, and liquid food has been 
his principal support for four days. Occasionally 
he asks for something more substantial, and what- 
ever is allowed is given to him only in the quantity 
usually given to fever patients. His main diet con- 
sists of milk and lime water, extract of beef and 
beef juice. 
CONTRADICTION BETWEEN PACTS AND OPINION. 
The surgeons unanimously declare that the wound 
is in a healthy condition and discharging laudable 
pus. As the President was regarded as a perfectly 
healthy man prior to the shooting the question is 
now pressed with much anxiety, "Why does he not 
have a vigorous appetite?" All of the internal or- 
gans are said to have escaped injury, whatever 
course the ball may have taken. Yet, with every or- 
gan normal, the attending physicians rejoice with 
renewed hope whenever he is able to take a scanty 
allowance of liquid nourishment. 
Dr. Agnew says he is not out of danger, "But, sir, 
I believe he will recover.'* 
Dr. Hamilton says:-"I shall continue to have 
Xaith in his recovery until all the evidences are 
Bgainst hope." 
Dr. Bliss says:-"I have never doubted for a mo- 
ment that he would get well. That confidence in- 
creases every day." 
Drs. Reyburn, Barnes and Woodward concur with 
Dr. Bliss. In talking over these positive declara- 
tions of the surgeons with the Secretary of the Navy 
to-day he remarked. "What are wo to do? Whom 
shall wo believe if not the surgeons of large experi- 
ence and eminence in their profession who have 
been assigned to the case? Who knows better than 
they do the details of the President's condition and 
all the attendant signs? And whose judgment are 
we better entitled to respect? I believe and so do all 
the members of the Cabinet with implicit trust that 
the President will recover-not to-morrow, or next 
week, but in nature's own'time." 
We have the distinguished authority of no less a 
personage than Sir Joseph Porter, Knight Com- 
mander of the Bath, that official utterances always 
possess the merit of being unanswerable. So there 
ought to be no doubt about the President. 
ANXIETY ABOUT THE HIGH PULSE. 
One of the discouraging Evidences made public to- 
day was the President's high pulse morning, noon 
and night. Its inclination toward rapidity is gen- 
erally believed not to be the result of de- 
pression caused by the last operation but 
of general debility, and it leaves in its 
wake no small amount of anxiety. That 
the cutting of Monday morning was done for the 
purpose of relieving the irritation that had been 
going on previously, and which ran the pulse up to 
a point where its significance could no longer be 
disregarded, is a portion of the history of the case. 
That this salutary effect has not thus far been at- 
tained is one of the stubborn facts that must be 
borne in mind. It is contended that the source of 
Irritation is still present, as indicated in the 
bulletins of to-day. Why the last operation 
should bo followed for two days by an unusually 
rapid pulse when the first operation afforded imme- 
diate relief is something that must be explained 
away by better reasoning than has been adduced by 
the attending physicians up to this time. The ques- 
tions might bo pertinently put-Do the doctors 
really know the source of irritation? Is it caused 
by a pus sac, the formation of an abscess or the 
presence of the ball? If the latter, then the ball 
must be lodged in a different portion of the 
abdomen from what the physicians have believed it 
to be, for they have agreed that it rested in the 
anterior wall of the abdomen where it would readily 
encyst and be harmless. The very weak and debilitated 
condition of the patient is an unfavorable sign. The 
attending physicians predicted that such symptoms 
might be expected for two or three days after the 
operation. Old and eminent surgeons here state 
that they are at a loss to know why 
any great depression further than that caused 
by etherization for ten or twelve hours 
after its administration should be kept up 
for days and why the mere cutting should run the 
pulse up to a point which has been attained rarely 
since the President's affliction. the President's palate but which he takes because it 
is the best for him. Perhaps this view of the case 
will serve to inform some persons why it is that the 
pulse keeps up, the fever recurs daily aud the ad- 
mission made officially that "debility" is not synony- 
mous with "recovery" 
THE PATIENT PROUD OF HIS SIGNATURE. 
The Pr> Bident's faithful nurse, Mrs. Dr. Edson, in 
describing the condition of her charge, said toj 
day :- 
"His hopes were dashed considerably when Dr. 
Agnew told him in response to his asking about it 
that it would certainly be three or four weeks yet 
before he could even sit up. The answer so candid 
was discouraging, and the President felt its import 
keenly. However, he did not say anything. It had 
been a frequent query to Dr. Bliss, too, but the 
Doctor always gave a non-committal answer that 
would satisfy for a while. The Presi- 
dent is not talking much, but the re- 
cent interest he has taken in the affairs that he 
knows are awaiting his attention and signature 
show that he is thinking about executive matters. 
Last week he called tor his secretary, Mr. Brown, 
and asked him if there was any paper requiring his 
signature. He was told nothing but what could 
await his recovery. He wrote his name then sev- 
eral times with a lead pencil, and was greatly 
pleased with the very good job he could make of it. 
Kobe was quite prepared yesterday to affix his sig- 
nature to that State document." 
Dr. Boynton said to-night that he felt greatly 
encouraged at the President's condition, taking the 
day as an entirety; that while his pulse and temper- 
ature ranged rather high this evening the amount 
of fever was slight and the character of the pulse 
indicated a gradual recovery from the weakness 
wnich had been the prime cause of the unfavorable 
figures in the bulletins for the past few days. 
HE WRITES A TELEGRAM TO HIS MOTHER. 
A strong evidence of this, ^ays the Doctor, was 
that to-day the President had with his owii hand 
written quite a long telegram to his mother aud ap- 
peared to be but slightly fatigued by the effort. The 
continuation of the fever was to be expected aud 
its gradual subsidence was evidence of the im- 
proved condition of the President. The 
decrease of the flow of pus was also 
another good feature. This decrease did 
not result from any obstruction, but simply from 
the fact that the process of healthy granulation and 
healing had been going on steadily aud the surface of 
the wound had been materially decreased. It is the 
Doctor's opinion that the wound has already healed 
up for at least three inches of its length, and that the 
ball is probably safely encysted at the present 
moment. The decrease in the discharge meant a 
decrease in the drafts upon the President's 
system,, and the first result would be that 
the food administered would rapidly build up his 
strength. Dr. Boynton also said that there had not 
yet been any marked decrease iu the' President's 
pulse, but no alarm was felt on that account, as his 
oeueral condition had undergone such a favorable 
I change that he felt much elated and was pre- 
pared to await with certainty the changes which his 
physicians felt sure would occur in the course of a 
very few hours. 
Dr. Hamilton, the consulting surgeon, arrived here 
from New York by the 10 o'clock train to-night. Ho 
was met at the depot by Dr. Bliss, and the two phy- 
sicians were driven at once to the residence of At- 
torney General MacVeagh, it being understood that 
the President was resting quietly, aud there being 
no necessity for disturbing him. Dr. Bliss re- 
mained with Dr. Hamilton for some time to give 
him a history of the case since his departure. 
The President has partaken of some solid nourish- 
ment during the day. To use the expression of one 
who frequents the sickroom, "He made a piece of 
chicken look sick." Iu the forenoon he said he 
thought he could relish a few raspberries and a tel- 
egram was seut to New York to procure some n pos- 
sible. 'While the headings of the morn- 
ing papers were being read to him, as 
is usual each day, the President inquired if 
there had been any rain at Mentor recently, 
and what was the prospect of good crops in that 
vicinity. He has been remarkably cheerful during 
the day and has seemed anxious to converse on gen- 
eral topics. Several times he asked if there were 
any matters requiring his signature that 
he might attend to. Between two and 
three o'clock this afternoon he asked for 
writing materials and indited the telegram 
to hfs aged mother at Mentor. Its contents were of 
a most cheering and hopeful nature, and will no 
doubt be received with exceediug joy by that lady. 
The despatch was written in a round, clear hand, 
that showed no signs of tremulousness, upou an or- 
dinary "scratch block" with a lead pencil. It con- 
tained between forty and fifty words. It was 
thought best not to give its full text to the public, 
common courtesy forbidding. 
ASTOUNDING VANDALISM. 
The son of Dr. Bliss says he cannot understand 
why it is that several newspapers so bitterly "an- 
tagonize" his father, who has treated them with all 
the deference and respect that could be desired. 
"What were his reasons for saying on Sunday night 
last that there was no intention on the part of the 
attending surgeons to perform an operation on the 
following Monday?" 
"Whom did he say that to?" 
"Why, to a number of newspaper men at the 
■White House." 
The young Doctor straightened up and replied:- 
"That is absurd. Father on Saturday night sug- 
gested that it would be advisable to create an open- 
ing for the pus that ho supposed was some way re- 
tarded in its exit at the point near the fractured 
rib. I spent several hours on Sunday running 
around different places to get father's 
instruments sharpened. Now if something of the 
kind had not been anticipated do you think I 
would have done so? I don't believe father ever 
said anything about it at all. There seems to be 
somebody around the White House who has a slip- 
pery tongue and light fingers. They are constantly 
misrepresenting father and making use of expres- 
sions never uttered by him. Do you recollect those 
fragments of the fractured rib that were extracted 
from the President? Well, they have disappeared 
and the most minute inquiry has failed to discover 
their whereabouts. It was intended to place them 
in the Medical Museum. They will also be needed 
when the surgeons commence to make up their report 
the case. A record is kept of everything that has 
transpired in connection with the case, and it will 
all be printed at some future day." 
On being asked what he thought was the object 
of the person who made off with the pieces of bone,' 
he said:-"I should judge that they merely wanted 
them for curiosities. I have au idea who has them, 
but I am not certain, and therefore do not like to 
say anything more about them." 
"When were you last at the White House?" 
"I was there just before the half-past seven 
P. M. bulletin was issued. The surgeons 
had just completed the evening dressing 
of the wound, and of course the Presi- 
dent's. pulse and temperature were rather high 
at the time. The fatigue of dressing would nat- 
urally cause that to some extent. As an evidence 
that the doctors do not wish to make an incorrect 
statement of the President's condition, some one 
suggested that it would be advisable to wait until 
an hour or so later before they issued another bul- 
letin, for by that time his pulse and temperature 
would have subsided. But the doctors thought it 
best to give a true statement of the case at that 
hour, for fear a delay in issuing the bulletin would 
cause alarm." 
"What door, your father think of the President's 
condition to-night?" 
dr. bliss' relation to the case. 
"He has always been hopeful aud he sees no rea- 
son to change bis opinion dt this time. The Presi- 
dent was sleeping when I left the White House, and 
I venture to say that at this time his pulse and tem- 
perature have decreased considerably from what was 
indicated in the latest bulletin." 
"Does not this continuous high temperature com- 
pel the physical organs of the President to work 
unnaturally fast, and does not that tend to weaken 
him to some extent?' 
"Well, yes; of course the constant strain upon 
them affects their vitality somewhat, but I am of 
the opinion that what he loses in that direc- 
tion he gains in others. So you see he is 
not growing much weaker if any, while on the 
other hand there is every indication that he is gain- 
ing strength, by the manner in which his appetite 
increases and from his cheerful appearance." 
"Is there any truth in the report that Dr. Agnew 
left Washington so suddenly because ho had a mis- 
understanding with your father?" 
"Certainly not. When Dr. Agnew left he bade father 
a very cordial farewell, and in passing through the 
cabinet room he paid father a very high compli- 
ment. There is no reason for any ill-feeling between 
the surgeons, and, as far as I know, they are do- 
ing everything that is possible in a most harmo- 
nious manner to bring about the President's 
recovery. The attending surgeons were all 
selected with the sanction of the President and Mrs 
Garfield. Sunday morning after the shooting the 
President said he thought there were too many 
doctors around and told father to select 
any physicians he might need to assist him 
in treating the case. Father asked the President if 
there was any particular surgeon he would like to 
have retained, and the same question was asked 
Mrs. Garfield. They both replied in the negative. 
Now if Dr. Baxter was the family physician why 
was it that neither the President nor his wife sug- 
gested his name then. It is my opinion that many 
of these newspaper articles censuring father are in- 
stigated by Dr. Baxter." 
There is much comment to-night that there was 
no mention of the condition of the President's 
wound in the evening bulletin. The doctors say, 
privately, that the flow of pus was ^ood and its con- 
dition laudable, but that so much has been said to 
that effect that they have got tired of repeating the 
same thing day ^ter day. 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, AUGUST'12, 1881. 
[B£ telegraph to the HERALD. 1 
Washington, August 11, 1881, 
The President during the day was about the same 
as he was yesterday. The day was pleasant and not 
hot. The surroundings of the sick sootn were cheer- 
ful and his friends hopeful. But the evening 
bulletin is one of if not the most unsatisfactory 
that has been issued. 
THE PKTSIDENT'S FEEBLENESS. 
In the first place the high pulse, which is 
now understood to be thready or compressi- 
ble, marks a debilitated condition of the 
patient which is anything but a favorable | 
symptom. There is also the evening 
febrile rise, not quite so high as it was on Saturday, 
Mond ly and Tuesday last, but nevertheless makes 
an additional day in the period of an evening fever 
extending over eight consecutive days. That which 
made the bulletin remarkable was the entire ab- 
sence of opinion. It was made up wholly of com- 
parisons. The President's early condition continued 
until four P. M. about the same as it was when the 
noon bulletin was issued. When the febrile rise was 
noted its degree did not diff r materially from that 
of yesterday., and the inference follows that as yes- 
terday was like to-day so will the morrow be. 
A high, strong pulse belongs to an acute condi- 
tion, and a pulse such as the President's in an en- 
feebled man would denote the gravity of the case. 
In other words, it belongs to a chronic or constitu- 
tional state. Why does it not come down? It will 
be remembered that the Herald, in its prognosis of 
the case, was the first to call attention to the fact 
that during the first three weeks of the Presi- 
dent's sufferings his diet was not such as it 
should have been. The explanation offered was 
that the attending physicians did not know 
that he was ever subject to any chronic or tem- 
porary aomplai* affecting his stomach. When the 
subject was alluded to one of the attending 
physicians said it was nonsense to talk about it, 
that it was some disappointed physician's invention 
to worry the public. 
A SOLUTION OF A PUZZLE. 
For two weeks it has been known that that which 
complicates the case and makes recovery doubtful 
is the weak dyspeptic stomach of the patient, who 
it was announced was convalescing dur- 
ing the middle of July on oatmeal, gruel, 
woodcock, sweetbreads stewed in milk, mashed 
aud baked potatoes and a variety of delicacies 
not enumerated in the Doctor's evening conversa- 
tions with his newspaper pupils. 
Dr. Reyburn has not said much about the case, 
but he knows as much as either of the other attend- 
ing physicians. He was asked to-day, "Is the Presi- 
dent dyspeptic?" 
"Yes, he is; and we for this reasou have trouble in 
administering food which will remain upon his 
stomach. The President has suffered with dyspep- 
sia for many years." 
Then there appeared in one of the "organs" a 
week ago, which of course was printed either by re- 
quest or by authority, the following:-"The Pres- 
ident has been something of a sufferer for years 
from dyspepsia, and this complicates the difficulty 
of administering nourishment of a character and in 
quantity to strengthen him." 
These statements, if they need household con- 
firmation, are sustained by what Mrs. Garfield 
wrote to a friend in Ohio tho latter part of July. 
"The General is just beginning to have a faint 
suggestion of an appetite. From newspaper reports 
you would suppose he had been taking beefsteaks 
and lamb chops by the quantity, but the truth is he 
has only tasted them to gratify tho doctors, and not 
always to his own advantage." 
It is no secret that articles of food given to the* 
President prior to the relapse, or rather before Drs. 
Aguew and Hamilton took charge of the case, were, 
such that he would not have partaken of 
it he had been a well man. He has 
never murmured or offered a suggestion, 
but has, as Mrs'. Garfield says, taken artic.es 
of food "to gratify the doctors, and not always to 
his own advantage." This matter of food is more 
important than at first appears. Without the ability 
to assimilate plenty of nourishment where is the 
repair of the waste tissues to come from? What is 
to furnish the circulatory system with renewed life 
to overcome tho drain of pus from a wound which 
Dr. Hamilton says is fifteen inches long? From 
where Is the increased vitality to be drawn that Is to 
revive a prostrated weak body? Surely not from 
one who is only capable of partaking of a 
certain quantity of beet tea, beef juice and beef ex- 
tract, all of which are now exceedingly repugnant to 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 11-8:30 P. M. 
The President has passed an exceedingly good night, sleeping sweetly, with but few short breaks, 
and awaking refreshed this morning at a later hour 
than usual. At the morning dressing, just com 
. pleted, it was found that the.deeper parts of the 
wound had been emptied spontaneously. The quan- 
j tity of pus secreted is beginning to diminish. Its 
character and the appearance of the wound are 
healthy. His temperature shows an entire absence 
of tever this morning, and his pulse, which is less 
frequent than yesteruay, is improving in quality. 
At present it is 100; temperature, 98.G; respira- 
tion, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT HEYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President is doing well to-day. Besides a 
liberal supply of liquid nourishment at regular in- 
tervals he has taken for breakfast, with evident 
relish, an increased quantity ot solid food. He con- 
tinues tree from fever, his skin is moist, but with- 
out undue perspiration. Pulse, 102; temperature, 
98.G; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, <1. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Official.]. 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
After the noon bulletin was issued the President's 
condition continued as then reported until about 
four P. M.. when the commencement ot the after- 
noon febrile rise was noted. In its degree it did not 
differ materially from that ot yesterday. His pulse 
is now 108; temperature, 101.2; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ' J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-11:30 P. M. 
Although the President's pulse and temperature 
were not as low to-night as it had been hoped they 
would be, the surgeons report that lie has had a 
good day-better than any previous day this week- 
and that his appearance and general condition arc 
। improved. He has taken since morning nearly 
। two pounds of solid and liquid food with- 
out gastric disturbance, and although his 
pulse still indicates weakness be seems stronger 
than yesterday. He was sponged off and took his 
last allowance of nourishment about nine P. M. and 
Boon afterward went to sieep without anodynes. 
His afternoon fever began to abate aj usual after the 
evening examination, and by half-past ten bis pulse 
l ad fallen to about last night's figure. His tempera- 
ture lias not been taken since seven o'clock, but it 
has apparently' fallen in correspondence with his 
pulse, and there is every prospect that lie will have 
anoiher quiet, restful night. Dr. Hamilton arrived 
from New York at ten o'clock. 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HITT TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
Mr. Hitt, the Assistant Secretary of State, sent the 
following telegram to Minister Lowell at nine o'clock 
this evening:- 
President's condition and progress continue sub- 
stantially the same this evening as yesterday. ^us that the President's pulse, temperature' 
and respiration are the same as they were 
last evening. He himself says that he feels better 
and, were it not for the results indicated by the in- 
struments, we should say that he w'as much better 
than yesterday. This fever, however, is what we 
have to expect in such a case and after such an 
operation as was performed last Mor day. We do 
not regard the status of the case, however, as at all 
alarming, and, even shoull this febrile disturbance 
with its attendant symptoms of high pulse and tem- 
perature continue for several days, we would feel 
no great anxiety, as it is what may be reasonably 
expected in the progress of the President toward 
recovery." 
"So that while the bulletin presents the same con- 
ditions as at this hour yesterday evening you are 
disposed to regard the President as better to-night?" 
"Yes. The President says he feels better, and his 
appetite has been better to-day than yesterday, and 
we therefore conclude that he has gained a point on 
the road to recovery and not taken a step buck ward." 
"What has the President eaten to-day ?" 
"That I cannot tell. I do not know." 
"In regard to the illness of Dr. Bliss it has been 
suggested that if the pus with which he was 
innoculated was sufficiently poisonous to affect his 
health it certainly could not be laudable pus, and 
that the President's feverish condition may be pro- 
duced by the absorption of matter of a somewhat 
virulent character. What do you think of this?" 
"1 have no objection to answering that question. 
All pus is septic in its character, but in cases of 
poisoning a great deal depends upon the condition 
of the patient. Dr. Bliss is run down and exhausted 
from overwork, and, of course, is very sus- 
ceptible to the septic power of the dis- 
charge with which he was innoculated. I venture 
to say that if it had been myself instead of Dr. 
Bliss the pus would have had no effect on me what- 
ever. I have pricked my fingers a thousand times 
while engaged in operating in similar cases without 
experiencing the least bad effects. No, the pus has 
no connection whatever with the President's condi- 
tion, as it is perfectly healthy and freely dis- 
charged." 
"In view of the fact that Dr. Bliss will necessarily 
be absent from the White House for several days 
will you remain here. Doctor, to look after the Presi- 
dent?" 
"There is really no necessity for Dr. Agnew or my- 
self remaining here at all. The case has been con- 
ducted by the physicians in charge with gre it care 
nud judgment. I shall remain hero possibly until 
to-morrow evening, but cannot say positively now." 
"Will Dr. Agnew return to Washington on Sun- 
day ?" 
"I think it very likely that he will. But, as I said 
before, no necessity exists for our presence here. 
Even should Dr. Bliss be confined to his room tor 
several days it will only be necessary for the other 
physicians in the case to close up their ranks and 
proceed with the case as they have done in the 
past." 
Dr. Hamilton spoke very confidently in referring 
to the President's condition; and it is evident that 
his estimate of the case is deduced from a close ob- 
servation and a cool judgment of all the symptoms 
presented and points involved in it since nis arrival 
in the city. The whole tenor of his remarks were 
' encouraging, and they receive additional force from 
tile fact that he avoided the extreme of despondency 
or elation, anti his estimate of the President's condi- 
tion was based upon the whole range of the case 
within the past week. 
GOSSIP BY COLONEL ROCKWELL. 
Colonel Rockwell said to-night tint the President 
received a letter from Congressman Mark H. Dun- 
nell, of Minnesota, to-day, who had known the 
President for many years and had been on impor- 
tant committees with him. It expressed the pro- 
tound sympathy ot the people of Minnesota for the 
President and the sincere hope of his speedy recov- 
ery. 
"Did the President dictate an answer to it?" 
"I read the letter to him, and he expressed his 
gratitude at being so kindly remembered by the 
Minnesotiaus, and told me it I saw Mr. Dunnell to 
extend to him his regards and thank him tor his 
encouraging and cheerful expressions. If Mr. Dun- 
nell has left the city I will forward him a note to 
that effect." 
w "Does the President appear to be gaining 
' strength?" 
"Oh, yes. He seemed remarkably bright and 
cheerlul to-day. Ho read for the first time one of 
the newspapers. 1 started to read it to him myself, 
but he borrowed my glasses and perused the paper 
himself. It was one of the New York dailies." 
"Has he been informed of the result of the Lynch- 
burg Convention?" 
"Oh, yes; he knows all about it." 
"Has he expressed any opinion concerning the 
success of Mahone?" 
"As far as I know he has not mentioned the sub- 
ject to any one." 
"How has the President's appetite been to-day?" ! 
"Exceedingly good. He has eaten beefsteak, fried 
potatoes, toast and some delicious peaches that were l 
sent him from Delaware. He is very fond of rasp- 
berries, and as some were received to-day he 
ate them with apparent relish. He said to 
Dr, Woodward this afternoon that he had 
surprised himself at the amount of foou 
he had eaten. The Doctor told him that his increas- 
ing appetite was an evident symptom of increasing 
strength. The President replied with a smile, 'It 
is not a sign of departing brandy though.' He does 
not like brandy and never did. He has to take small 
quantities of It almost every day, and it is not at all 
agreeable." 
''How do you feel in regard to the President's con- 
dition to-night?" 
"I think he is doing well. I have always been 
hopeful and I feel very much encouraged by what 
has transpired to-day. The doctors are satisfied that 
he is improving in appearance and that be is gaining 
strength day by day from the fact that his appetite 
isincreasing all the time." 
ANOTHER SOURCE OF DANGER. 
Referring to the indifference of the physicians to 
the rapid pulse and high temperature it must be 
remembered that a healthy heart is calculated to 
average seventy pulsations to a minute. Now, 
this organ is so constructed as to meet 
temporary exigencies resulting, say from 
acute diseases, even at times in chronic 
conditions, or continued fevers, such as typhoid. 
But if there is iropo-ed the labor or a heart and a I 
half upon this organ it stands to reason that it will 
eventually give way or some lesion follow from such 
overwork. It is noted in the bulletins during thelast 
thirteen days that the mean average has exceeded 
100. Now, this is significant and would suggest to 
a medical man the propriety ot appropriate reme- 
dies to overcome, if possible, such extraordinary 
demand on this organ. As slated before, provi- 
sions are made in its construction to meet 
exigencies, but if the heart is subjected to 
such continued pressure it is an exceedingly im- 
portant matter for the consideration of the 
attending physicians. If a diminution does 
not soon take place the danger of debility 
or degeneration must soon appear. As to the 
temperature, it fluctuates more than the pulse, 
and while it must be considered an important factor 
in the course of the disease the same danger cannot 
be apprehended, as in the case of the pulse. An in- 
crease above norm 1, however, is always attended 
with increased waste, and to meet this demand the 
nMtter of food and its proper assimilation should 
also command tno vigilance of the surgeons. That 
there is a cause for the continuance of quick pulse 
and high temperature outside of that resulting from 
the track of the ball, is very evident. It is reason- 
able to suppose that the ball in entering 
the body carried before it some particles 
of the President's clothing, and this adds to the 
source of irritation, being a strong reason why the 
consideration of its removal should be paramount 
in the conduct ot the case. If its removal were 
effected there would be a clear canal through 
the abdomen, and even if contraction in the 
centre, of the track took place, the flow 
of pus would not be so susceptible of 
interruption, which is now the great desideratum. 
That there is a tree and abundant discharge of pus 
is granted, but a too abundant flow of this matter is, 
of course, at the expense of the constitution of the 
patient. 
DR. BLISS INVALIDED. 
Dr. Bliss returned early this afternoon from the 
White House and went to bed, owing to a seyere 
swelling of his hand and arm, caused by his cutting 
a forefinger Monday while dressing the President's 
wound and absorbing in the cut some of the lauda- 
ble pus. The Doctor felt no pain from it yesterday, 
but this morning it developed itself, and he was 
obliged to give it his immediate attention. To-night 
the swel.ing has greatly increased and the pain has 
become very great, so much so that he has become 
faint, and will not leave his bed to return to the 
Executive Mansion. Quite a number of persons 
called at his office this evening to see him, but none 
were allowed to go to his room. 
IS IT MALARIA? 
Dr. Alexander Y. P. Garnett, when asked his 
opinion of the steady high temperature and rapid 
pulse of the President, replied that ha could at- 
tribute it to nothing but malaria. He said that the 
' seven days recurrence lias been so uniform that it 
could not result solely from accumulations of pus, 
which latter have occurred at irregular intervals, 
and that the concurrent with the traumatic fever 
pointed most conclusively to malarial influences. 
A TELEGRAPH OPERATOR SUCCUMBS. 
One of the telegraph operators, who has been on 
duty at the White House since July 3, to-day suc- 
cumbed to malarial influences apdhad to be relieved, 
his physician ordering him to discontinue work and 
seek a more healthful atmosphere. This is the tenth 
person attacked with malaria wh^ has been on dmy 
at the White House. 
SOME PARTICLES IN THE WOUND. 
The attendant physicians say that it has been 
notl-ed lately that the pus contains very fine par- 
ticles of bone, but thqre has been no discharge of a 
piece of any considerable size. The opinion is ex- 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROP Ii IETO K. 
NEW YORK. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 18»L 
[by telegraph to the herald 1 
Washington, August 12, 1881. 
The doctors agree that the President shows an im- 
provement upon yesterday, that is, taking the day 
in its entirety. They state further that when the 
patient shows a marked recovery from the shock he 
sustained on Monday last from the operation his. 
convalescence will be rapid and unvarying. The 
surgical fever that is present every night is 
not heeded by the physicians to any ex- 
tent, aud they say that notwithstanding the 
rapid pulse and high temperature the patient is 
improving hourly. The physicians noticed to-day 
that the President partook of solid nourishment 
with a hearty relish and appeared in better spirits 
than for some time past. It is known, however, 
that the wound is still very sore and the customary 
dressings cause much pain and annoyance to the 
patient. On this account more care is now taken in 
cleaning and bandaging the orifice. The doctors 
say that the feverish nature of the new wound when 
aggravated by dressing causes the rise in tempera- 
ture and pulse that is noted in the bulletins issued 
immediately after the task is finished. But 
»n hour or two after the patient is 
turned upon his side and rests a change for the 
better is observable in his symptoms. When ques- 
tioned to-day' the attending physicians denied the 
remotest presence of intermittent or malarial fever. 
The cheerful disposition of the President, the ac- 
tivity exhibited in writing and an increased appe- 
tite for solid food aud ability to retain It are all cited 
as good indications. When Mrs. Garfield read ex- 
tracts from the different newspapers to-day her 
husband seemed interested and showed no signs 
of weariness. Heretofore only the head 
lines have been read to him, but to-day 
he listened attentively to a general 
summary of current news. It is not known at this 
time when Dr. Agnew will return, and probably he 
may not be sent for unless an unfavorable change 
In the symptoms should take place. The feeling at 
the White House to-night is that he may not again 
be needed if the present state of affairs continues. 
It is understod, however, that Dr. Hamilton shall 
remain until Saturday night or perhaps Sunday 
night. The number of anxious inquirers at the Ex- 
ecutive Mansion is very small compared with that 
of the past few days, and perfect tranquillity and 
confidence are visible on every hand. The removal of 
the President is again seriously talked of, and 
should the improvement of his condition continue 
for another week it is very probable that he will be 
conveyed either to the Soldiers' Home or aboard the 
Tallapoosa, the former being the most likely place 
to be chosen to aid the work of convalescence. One 
of the attending physicians expressed himself to- 
day that the patient could net be removed from the 
Waite House too early. The same physician said 
that he was doing very weil indeed, and he was 
satisfied of the result. 
arrangements on the Tallapoosa. 
The United States steamer Tallapaosa, which has 
been undergoing repairs and fitting out for sea during 
the past month, h s been thoroughly overhauled and 
will be manned to-morrow. Assistant Paymaster 
Henry D. Smith, formerly of the Despatch, has been 
transferred to the Tallapoosa. In cc^versation this 
morning Mr. Smith gave a description of the man- 
ner in which the vessel has been fitted out. A suit 
of rooms has been prepared expressly for ths 
use of President Garfield iu the event of 
its being practicable to take him out on 
the water when he becomes sufficiently strong to 
warrant his being removed from the Executive 
Mansion. The suit consists of four comparatively 
large rooms, including a bedchamber, reception and 
anteroom, and a bathroom. Paymaster Smith says 
that if it is determined to take the President on the 
vessel a swinging bed will be hung in his chamber 
for the purpose of preventing the patient being an- 
noyed by the motion of the vessel. A steam heating 
apparatus has also b en placed in the President's 
quarters whereby the four rooms can be kept per- 
fectly dry and warm. This arrangement is said to 
be principally for use during the continuance of 
foggy or damp weither. 
A TALK WITH DR. HAMILTON. 
Dr. Hamilton was asked j ust as he was preparing 
to leave the White House about half-past eight this 
9veiling if he could say anything in regard to the 
continuation of the high pulse and temperature that 
marked the President's case to-night. He an- 
swered:- 
"To be frank with you, there is nothing I 
can say to you outside ot the bulletin. The 
instruments of precision which we use tell pressed that the detritus is owing to the grinding 
effect of the ball when it came in contact with the 
eleventh rib. i'beir presence in the wound has un- 
doubtedly been an additional cause of irritation. 
WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 12-8:3u A. M. 
The President slept well the greater part of the 
night. The fever of yesterday afternoon subsided 
during the evening and has not been perceptible 
since ten P, M. His general condition this morning 
is good. Pulse, 100; temperature, 98.0; respiration 
19: 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30P. M. 
The President has passed a comfortable morning. 
Ho continues to take, without repugnance, the 
liquid nourishment allowed, and ate with reii-h for 
breakfast a larger quantity of solid food than he 
took yesterday. At present his pulse is 100, tem- 
perature 99.3! respiration 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. Barnes, frank h. Hamilton. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President has passed a comfortable day. At 
the evening dressing the wound was found to be 
doing well. The quantity of pus secreted is grad- 
ually diminishing. Its character is healthy. The 
rise of temperature this afternoon reached the same 
point as yesterday. At present the pulse is 108; 
temperature, 101.2; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES. FRANK 11. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
DENIAL FROM DR. AGNEW. 
Executive Mansion, August 12. 1881. 
The following was received to-day:- • 
In the Philadelphia Timex of August 8, 1881, a com- 
munication appeared which professes to present my 
views in regard to several points connected with 
President Garfield's wound. As this article has been 
made the basis for an editorial on the same subject 
in the New York Herald, and has, as I understand, 
been the subject of comment in other papers, I deem 
it my duty to say that in no particular do the de- 
tails given represent my views of the case, nor were 
they ever given by me to any representative of the 
press. d. hayes agnew, 
Philadelphia. 
A REPLY TO THU DOCTOR. 
Philadelphia, August 12, 1881. 
The Times to-morrow will publish the following 
in reference to the card of Dr. Agnew, telegraphed 
from Washington to-day:- 
With the discreditable jealousies of physicians 
developed in the treatment of the Preside .t Dr. 
Agnew has had no part, unless to soothe the profes- 
sional wounds of others by the inconsiderate state- 
ment that "in no particular do the details given 
(in the article) represent my views of the 
case," but journalism cannot so far defer to 
professional courtesy, and the Times repeats that 
the entire article was most < arefully and in the best 
faith predicated upon statements made by Dr. 
Agnew; that it' was given to the public 
in like good faith by a most reput- 
able member of his profession that any 
errors, if such they are, defied the m st careful pro- 
fessional and • ditorial sciutiny, and they will be 
most willingly corrected if Dr. Agnew will 
specity them. He owes it to himself, to 
his profeesional brother, who in the best 
faith gave his views for the gratification 
of the public, and to a public journal that has been 
guiltle-s of the slightest intentional error, to specity 
the particular statements which called out a denial 
from him four days after the publication had been 
read in the White House. 
Condition of the President. 
At forty-one days from the time he was 
shot the Pres dent of tie United States, 
with a wound of no gre.it gravity, is yet in 
such a condition t hat "his friends are hope- 
ful," and the doctors "believe he will get 
well." And why is it that his advance 
toward a presumed recovery is at this date 
on no firmer ground than is implied in these 
ambiguous givings out of surgeons who 
evidently know the man's condition to be 
such that the changes cf an hour or a day 
may suddenly belie a more sanguine judg- 
ment and thus discredit their sag city? 
"Thereis no mere fever than was noticed 
at the last official bulletin." .there has 
never been any more fever than was no- 
ticed at some previous time, and bulletin 
following bulletin gives us the easy an- 
nouncement that though the pulse keeps 
high and ha^ become "thready." this is not 
due to fever, but to debility. Is his vital- 
ity too low tor him to have a fever? But as 
fever does all the harm of which it is capa- 
ble by exhausting the pa ient, and as be- 
tween theexhaus ion of the vital forces thus 
produced and the "debility" of the bulie-. 
tins there- is no fair distinction, it is not 
very clear that there is much ground for 
congratulation in,the absence of a fever that 
would onlj' produce the condition in which 
the patient permanently lies. But why is 
he in this condition ot unchanging and ap- 
patently irremediable debility? How this' 
debility was produced we all know; Forly- 
two days since be was shot. The bullet 
broke a rib and lodged itself in the deep 
muscles of the back, doing little other 
harm than that involved in the fracture 
of the r.b. He was picked up and 
ignorantly, cruelly, barbarously told 
that he was mortall^wounded. He was not 
mortally wounded. His wound wai with- 
out notable gravity. It was a wound which 
properly treated never ki Is a healthy man. 
But somebody in a lusty examination hit 
Upon the notion that because the wound 
was ' opposite the liver therefore the liver, 
was lacerated and the man must die, and 
with this fearful and cruel error (he treat- 
ment began. Is that surgery? What was 
a surgeon good for in such a case if not to 
determine this very point-that though the 
wound had the appearance of a fatal one it 
w.<s, in fact, not fatal nor of great moment? 
If this is surgery was it worth while for 
science to displace the ancient barber and 
his primitive methods? 
Totally misled by the first impression of 
the wound the surgeons failed to correct 
this error by examination; but simply stood 
byto let their distinguished patient "die 
easily." This was consistent, at least; for 
if a man is mortally w ounded, if he has 
"only.one chance in a hundred to live," to 
go prodding at him w.th probes and the 
other deadly weapons of tne surgeons is very 
likely to destroy that one chance. But, then, 
if he is not mortally wounded-if this des- 
perate hurt is only the chimera of a fright- 
ened surgeon's brain-valuable time is lost 
by that mist ken inactivity. And that was 
what happened, for the period in which the 
wound might have been put in the most 
favorable condition for rapid restoration 
was permitted to go by, and the patient re- 
mained for twenty-one days without the 
simple surgical assistance involved in the 
extraction of the fragment! of bone. From 
the first day it was assumed, moreover, that 
there was to be peritonitis-a terrible in- 
flammatory fever-and they began to treat 
this fever, of course, before it came, for it 
did not come. It was their duty to know 
that there was no injury that could cause this 
fever ; but their first f.ult led them into the 
second. To fight this figment of their 
imaginations they began to starve the man 
and to drug him. Any man in the United 
States without a wound may in forty days 
be put marly in the condition in which 
Mr. Gaifield is by the same course of starva- 
tion and medication, yet within five days 
of his hurt he might have eaten his regular 
dinner with impunity. A medical cor- 
respondent who appears tn have kept ac- 
count of the doses informs us that he has 
had eight hundred giains cf quinine and 
four hundred grains of opium. 
Debility thus produced has put the patient 
within reach of causes of disturbance that 
would not have affected a stronger.man, 
and has in all.probability produced some 
causes that would not have come into the 
case if its progress had been natural. There 
are now five points of interest in the case :- 
First is the ball, next is the anterior ex- 
tremity of the fractured rib, next is the con- 
dition of the pus as shown in the wound re- 
ceived by Dr. Bliss, next is the anaemic con- 
dition of the brain as shown by the pulse, 
and last is the secondary shock produced 
by the etherization and the surgical opera- 
tion of Monday last. Precisely why that 
operation was done does not appear. One 
surgeon in att ndance says theie was no 
' need for it in the facts related to the dis- 
charge of the pus, and another says that it 
had no relation to an attempt to straighten 
the wound for the extraction of the ball. 
It is described by one of the doctors as a 
"long and tedious operation." It occupied 
an nour. Surely such a thing was not done- 
without definite reason. Perhaps the sur- 
geon who s iys it had no relation to the 
pus was mistaken. But is there to be 
a regular recurrence of operations to let 
out pus retained through the closing of the 
wound? Would it not be better to keep 
the wound open? By the use of the cylin- 
drical compressed sponge the course of the 
wound can be kept of any desired width, 
and operations will be unnecessary. For 
who can doubt that an operation of an hour is 
a grievous evil for one in the President's con- 
dition-a greater harm than the original hurt. 
By one witness we hear that between the 
parts of the fraotured rib there is an inter- 
val of an inch; therefore the condition of 
the distal portion is of some moment. The 
periosteum, upon which its vitality depends, 
is nourished by an artery that must have 
been cut when the bone was pierced. Ne- 
crosis ha - probably occurred there, or if not 
in the whole piece in considerable portions 
of both extremities at each side of the 
wound. That fact may count for a good 
deal in the permanent irritat on. The pos- 
sibility as to that bone was a reason why it 
would have been well to keep open the 
original mouth of the wound. 
There are different ways in which the 
forces of the system act upon a bullet, either 
to expel it or to make it harmless where it 
li's. From the nature of the ca-e a ball is 
not likely to be permanently at rest in a 
muscle;* but if nature had initiated the steps 
to that end in t lis case they could not have 
gone on because the irritating fluids thrown 
into the wound must have constantly ar- 
rested a reparative process of that kind. 
These injections are kept up to prevent the 
poisoning of the system by unhealthy 
pus ; though wo have been told all 
the time that there was only good and laud- 
able pus secreted. It appears, however, 
that this pus, bonum et laudabile, is suffi- 
ciently depraved to complicate an acci- 
dental puncture with all the characterist cs 
of a poisoned wound in the hand of one of 
the surgeons. Dr. Bliss' accident proves 
the quality of the discharge from the Presi- 
dent's wound better than could many 
micro-copical examinations. It an c,x- 
tremely small portion does so much 
harm to one man, what must the whole do 
to another? * NEW YORK HERALD 
THE HEBALD AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 
He said the Herald was a welcome visitor at the 
White House, and its columns were closely perused 
by the doctors, although they did not coincide fully 
with its pathology in the President's case. Speak- 
ing in relation to the patient's desire for and 
ability to partake of food, the Doctor stated 
that the sufferer ate with relish to-day a proper 
1 quantity of chicken, extract of beef, onions and 
milk. He said that the President really felt more 
interest in the Doctor's welfare than he did in his 
own. The President frequently asked him how his 
poisoned arm was getting along and was gratified to 
learn that the Doctor had almost recovered from 
what threatened to be a very serious matter. Refer- 
ring to the location of the ball the Doctor said that 
he was still of tke opinion that it had lo ged 
■where he had heretofore supposed it 
to be-namely, in the front abdominal wall; 
that the hard discolored spot he had 
discovered and which the electrical induction bal- 
ance afterward verified, had given every indication 
of this fact. He said the spot had changed as many 
colors as a blackened eye and still showed evidences | 
of the proximity of a foreign substance. 
It will be noticed that Dr. Bliss says that the bul- 
letins are purposely made conservative while the 
condition of the patient warrants a more cheerful 
preface to the statement of bis pulse, temuerature 
and respiration. Why this course is pursued 
the Doctor did not say. Perhaps the attending phy- 
sicians anticipate another operation, and do not 
desire to build up public confidence to a point 
where another cutting would cause renewed 
alarm. However, a large number of those 
who have made a study of the Pr. si- 
deut's progress say that the bulletins are 
worded favorably when they exhibit bad figures, i 
They reason that inasmuch as the patient is an in- j 
telligent observer of his own illness and insists ' 
upon hiding at least the head lines of the news- ! 
pipers "il to him, the doctors are wise enough 
toword the bulletins so that they may convey en- 
couraging information. It is argued that they ap- 
preciate the importance of keeping up the spirits of 
their patient, and deem this the most efficacious 
method. 
THE SICK MAN PHOTOGRAPHED. 
Mrs. Dr. Edson said to-day that there were signs 
of improvement in the President's condition, de- 
spite the recurring afternoon fever. Noticeably was 
his better relish lor food. 
"Has he become anything worse in general ap- 
pearance this week?" 
"No, not much; he still looks badly. Mrs. Gar- 
field says be is thinner now than he was when he ' 
returned from the army, and that be then weighed 
only 150 pounds. These six weeks have told dread- 
fully on him. He would hardly be recognized now 
by even familiar acquaintances could they see him." 
"There have been many surmises to-day that 
another operation is imminent. Do you think it 
probable?" 
"No, I do not think it necessary. Dr. Hamilton 
assured the President the other day that to the best 
of his knowledge of the. case it would not be neces- 
sary to mane any further incisions. He said this to 
reassure the President and keep him from looking 
forward to and dreading it, as he naturally would." 
"Is he chatty lately?" 
"No, not very; he is conscious of the 
long days and nights he is spending battling 
for life, and he takes an interest in events that mark 
its passing. Last night Dr. Boynton and I were 
talking in his hearing, and the Doctor remarked 
that it was his turn to watch to-night beside the 
the sufferer. The President listened intently and 
said:-'Yes, Doctor, it is your turn to-night and 
Mrs. Edson's to-morrow night. You can all change 
about, but I have to sit up with Mr. Garfield every 
night, and day, too, for that matter.' He looked 
tired and just a little less hopeful than usual, 
but after be says such tbings as that he soon 
brightens up and makes some cheery remark, pos- 
sibly to dispel our moment of gloom as well as his 
own." 
A SATURDAY OF HOPE. 
Although the evening bulletin docs not indicate I 
any very marked change the feeling at the White i 
House to-night is that the President has weathered , 
a point on bis way to convalescence. The fact that 
Saturday has been one ot the days on which the un- j 
favorable changes have thus far occured, together 
with the discovery that the daily febrile rise ; 
had already begun when the eight A. M. bulletin I 
was issued created a grave feeling of anxiety which | 
was not allayed until the midday examination indi- i 
cated that the fever had subsided slightly. To-night ■ 
Dr. Bliss says that the case looks better than it has ' 
for days, and he feels gratified at being able to an- [ 
nounce that the President has made decided im- 
j provement within the past twelve hours. 
Dr. Reyburn stated that there are now 
substantial evidences that the President is 
gaining strength; that at the evening dressing of 
the wound the drainage was found to be thorough, 
and that the utmost care was taken to maintain this 
condition through the night in ord r to prevent 
another febrile rise to-morrow morning. Dr. Ham- 
ilton left at a quarter past ten to-night for New York 
and Dr. Agnew has telegraphed that he will be in 
Washington at elevon o'clock to-morrow morn- 
ing. Before leaving the White House Dr. Hamil- 
ton said he felt perfectly satisfied with the 
progress the President hid made to-day, his last 
expression being made in the sick room, where in 
reply to an inqu ry he said, "The President con- 
tinues to do well," and then pencilled the words 
over his own signature to send to a Iriend who had 
sent in a personal note of inquiry. 
Dr. Bliss still carries hi; hand in a sling, 
but said to-night that he did not ex- 
pect to have any further serious trouble 
from the poisoning; that.when he realized the dan- 
ger he had poured down the medicine-in fact, had 
taken more physic in twelve hours than he had 
taken in his whole life before. 
GUITEAU WANTS COOLER QUARTERS. 
It was learned from one of the guards at the jail 
that Guiteau has been in a very "cranky" humor 
tor several days. Yesterday he endeavored for up- 
ward of an hour to extract some information as to the 
President's condition from the guard on duty at his 
cell door, and when he found that was impossible 
he became very angry and swore roundly that he 
would send for the District Attorney and have im- 
mediate action taken on his application for bail. 
This morning he complained of the heat and de- 
manded to be removed to a cooler cell, and when 
this was refused reiterated his threat to press his 
application tor bail. 
"THE PRESIDENT WILL RECOVER." 
The Herald correspondent found Dr. Hamilton 
walking up and down the centre of sleeping car No. 
162 at the Baltimore and Potomac Bailroad Depot 
to-n ghi, and made the following inquiry:- 
"Doctor, is there any cause for the anxiety that 
was felt by the general public to-day?" 
Before answering the question Dr. Hamilton I 
said:- 
"Get out your pencil and paper and put down ex- 
actly what 1 tell you. Now, what was your ques- I 
tion?" 
The above question was repeated and answered as 
follows:- 
"Not the slightest. The slight fluctuation in pulse 
and temperature which occurs from day to day has 
no special significance. The causes are often ob- 
scure, but slight and transient, and ought not 
to create in the public mind either alarm or en- 
couragement. The public can judge better as to his 
condition by the fact that Irom week to week there 
is a general improvement-at least it is safe to say 
no general change for the worse. A very decided 
improvement cannot be expected until the pus 
secreting surface is reasonably diminished in size, 
and for this more time is required than has elap.-ed 
since the la-t incision. You may assure the public 
that the President will recover if they will only wait 
patiently for the result." 
He added, "Now, that is as much as you want to 
know. I do not want you to go away from here 
and telegraph something that I have never uttered. 
Read what you have written." 
After his request had been complied with the 
Doctor remarked, "That is all right. Y'ou may add 
it will be reasonable to expect a more rapid im- 
provement when the weather becomes a little 
cooler. The hot weather is one of the greatest diffi- 
culties we have to contend against. That is all I 
have to say. Goodnight." 
And he seated himself for his journey home. 
ANOTHER OPERATION-THE BALL TO BE CUT OUT. 
The necessity tor a counter incision at the distal 
end of the President's wound, or, to speak more 
plainly, the importance of having a continuous 
channel through the body to insure the freest 
and fullest discharge of pus by the re- 
moval of the ball is no longer questioned 
by the surgeons. The fact that the wound has 
never been penetrated by the ar .image tube more ' 
than seven inches, while its track is recognized to 1 
be fully fifteen inches, indicate at once that manipu- 
lation or pressure has been resorted to to empty 
the entire channel ot the pus constantly secreted 
along its whole length. It has been stated sev- 
eral times by the attending surgeons that granulation 
was probably going on near the centre of the track, 
beyond which Dr. Hamilton has himself said the 
catheter would not pass without pressure, which it 
was not deemed expedient to employ tor fear of in- I 
creased irritation or injury to the'peritoneum if i 
the track is near the inside wall of the abdomen. 
At the same time, at the dressing of the wound 
every day precaution has been taken to 
assist the discharge of pus from the distal end 
by forcing it down toward the proximal end or 
mouth of the new incision. Whether there are 
pieces of clothing surrounding the ball or in its 
vicinity; whether the ball is misshapen to any ex- 
tern so as to present a jagged edge or not, it is con- i 
ceded that between the ball and the middle of the ! 
wound there are irritating causes which can only 
be removed with certainty by further operative 
means, which will open the wound on the abdomi- 
nal side and cause au independent orifice, which 
will hasten the granulating and final healing of the 
entire track. The skill of the surgeons will be 
directed to the accomplishment of this desired re- 
sult at the very earliest moment the President's 
condition will warrant it. 
At eleven P. M. to-night no material change was 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK. SI NDAL AUGUST 14, 1881. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD ] 
Washington, August 13, 1881. 
The President did not sleep well during Inst night. 
He was restless and feverish. His head was 
rponged and his hands bathed, but he continued 
unsasy until after midnight, when ths sleep of ex- 
it mstion came upon him and he dozed until morn- 
ing. It is said that the dressing of the wound last 
night was not so thorough as it should have been 
and that a quantity of pus was detained by the hour- 
glass like contraction of the caual between the b ill 
and the mouth of the wound. Since the operation of 
Monday last oakum and lint had been substituted for 
the drainage tube to prevent too great a pressure 
upon the lips of the new orifice. It was believed 
that the wound was healing too fast near the 
mouth, and that doing so shut off in a measure the 
discharge from the deeper portion of it. 
H KAL ING FROM WITHOUT INWARD. 
Accordingly the drainage tube was put back this 
morning to prevent healing too quickly at the 
wrong end. Reference to the bulletin of Thursday 
morning shows that at that time the deeper parts ol 
the wound had been emptied spontaneously and that 
the quantity of pus was beginning to di- 
minish. That was the first time the word 
"spontaneously" appeared in the bulletin, which 
has led to the inference that hitherto the deeper 
parts of the wound have yielded pus only when the 
abdomen was pressed, and that last night this oper- 
ation was omitted. If this way of compelling the 
secretion to flow out has been uninterrupted for six 
weeks-the question is asked-how could the ball 
have become encysted while these local disturbances 
were going on three times a day ? It is understood 
th it the physicians believed that it was no longer 
prudent to agitate the abdominal region, as the 
drain of pus was abundant, and so it 
was omitted last night, and the result was 
that the pus got tangled in some angle of the 
wound. The old plan, however, Las been resumed 
of pl ying on the "surgical bagpipes," and so the 
noo i and evening bulletins showed a slight favora- 
ble change in the temperature, but little change, 
however, in the pulse. 
NO BEASON FOB ALABM. 
Last evening Dr. Hamilton said in the presence of 
your correspondent:- 
"We do not regard the status of the case as at all 
alarming, and even should this febrile disturbance, 
with its attendant symptoms of high pulse ami 
temperature continue for several days we would feel 
no great anxiety, as it is what may be reasonably 
expected in the progress of the President toward 
recovery." 
Ite added with great frankness that he had noth- 
ing to say more than was contained in the evening 
bulletin. That organ of official information an- 
nounced that the wound was doing well, the quan- 
tity of pus secreted was gradually diminishing and 
its character was healthy. According to the con- 
sulting surgeon's reasoning the President ought to 
have made great progress during last night. This 
morning's bulletin showed a rise in the tempera- 
ture to 100.8, the highest it has ever reached In 
the early part of the day. Even at ten 
o'clock on the morning of July 23, an 
hour and a half after the regular morning eximina- 
tion, at which time the temperature was normal, 
the bulletin announced 101-only two-ieuths of a 
degree higher than this morning, and that after a 
severe rigor and the enervating sweat which fol- 
lowed. 
THE EVER BLISSFUL BLISS. 
The doctors, who are always surprising the people 
by their conservative opinions, put out the bulletin 
to-night an hour earlier than usual, and in that way 
gained on the time most unfavorable for 
the night bulletin. They began to act a, 
though it were necessary to hide some- 
thim from those outside the sick room 
and in this way invite a more critical observation 
of the President's case. Dr. Bliss came from the 
consulting room this evening aoout seven o'clock 
an I, taking a seat at an open window in the private 
secretary's room, conversed in a happy spirit to the 
small group of listeners that surrounded him. Ho 
stated that he had every reason to feel gratified at 
the present state of affairs, and considered the out- 
look better than it had been at any period of the 
President's illness. He said, further, that the 
condition of the patient ready warranted 
more favorable comment than was noted in the 
bulletins, but the latter were purposely made very 
conservative. The Doctor also imparted a bit of 
news that had heretofore been sacred. It was to 
ths effect that he had examined the wound at the 
depot, but did not deem it compulsory on him to 
proclaim the conclusion he then arrived at to the 
reporters. reported in the President's condition sinco the is- ' 
suauceo. the evening bulletin. The members ot'the 
President's household with the exception of the 
watchers in the sick room had retired, and Ml of the 
attending physicians, with the exception of Dr. Key- 
burn, had repaired to their respective homes to 
pass the night. Dr. Agnew, who had intended to 
come to Washington Sunday evening, has been re- 
quested bv telegraph to hasten his arrival. Ho will 
leave Philadelphia early in the morning and is ex- 
pected to reach here about eleven o'clock to-morrow- 
forenoon. 
THE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. August 13-8:30 A. M. 
The President did nut sleep as well as usual dur- 
ing the early part of tire-night. After midnight, 
however, his sleep was refreshing, and only broken 
at long intervals, ibis morning he has a little 
fever. Nevertheless he expresses himself as feel.ng 
better than tor several days past. Pulse, 104; tem- 
perature, 100.8; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN. 
j. k. Barnes. frank h. Hamilton, 
j. J. woodward. 
[Official.] 
Executive mansion-12:30 P.M. 
The President has been cheerful and easy during । 
the morning, and his temperature has fallen a liitie I 
more than a degree and a half since the morning 
bulletin was issued. The wound is discharging 
healthy pus. His pulse is now 102; temperature, 
99.2; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-2:30 P. M. 
Many alarming rumors have been circulated 
during the day regarding the President's condition, 
some of which indicated that it was impossible for 
him to live more than a day or two longer. From 
information obtained at the Executive Mansion, 
however, there appears to be no cause for alarm. 
The fever indicated by the morning bulletin has been 
gradually subsiding, and the patient at this hour is 
very comfortable. Private Secretary Brown says 
that the President is decidedly better at the present 
time than he lias been during the p«st forty- 
eight hours, and that the fever apparently continues 
to decrease. The day is extremely oppressive, but 
the President's apartments are kept com ortable by 
means of the cooled air which is forced into them, 
the temperature being about 80 degrees. General 
8wi m just said that the President is better now 
than he was at the same time yesterday, his pulse 
now being below 100 and his temperature about 99. 
It having reached Washington that a report was in 
j circulation in New York that Dr. Agnew had been 
। summoned to the President's bedside, a representa- 
five of the Associated Press inquired at the White 
j House whether it was true. Mr. Pruden, one of the 
I President's secretaries, stated that the report was 
! untrue and that no summons had been sent to Dr. 
Agnew. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-4:30 P. M. 
The President's condition at this hour continues 
favorable. The attending surgeons express them- 
selves as being greatly' encouraged by the decrease 
in the pulse and temperature since halt-past twelve 
P. M. No fe rs are entertained by them regarding 
his pro pects. The patient has taken his usu il 
quantity of nourishment during the day, and is now 
sleeping quietly am naturally. His pulse and tem- 
perature h>>ve not been taken during the last two 
hours, but they are not considered any higher now 
than when the last unofficial bulletin was sent- 
viz., pulse about 100, and temperature about 99. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
Since the last bull tin the President has continued 
to do well. The afternoon fever has been half a de- 
I gree les-> than yesterday. At the evening dressing 
! the appearance of the wound was improved. The 
I discharge of pu* has been adequate anti its character 
, is healthy. At present, his pulse is 104; temperature, 
| 100.7; respiration, 19. 
I D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
j J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
I J. J. WOODWARD, 
Mil. HITT IO MINISTER LOWELL. 
The following telegram was sent by Mr. Hitt, the 
acting Secretary of State, to Minister Lowell at half- 
past nine to-night. 
President was restless part of last night. To-day 
cheerful ai d easy. Aft moon fever halt degree less 
than yesterday. His physicians think him doing 
welL 
Or. Agnew and the Philadelphia 
Time*. 
An article published in the Philadelphia 
Tunes on August 8 give some opinions on 
the President's wound which were pre- 
sented as the opinions of Dr. Agnew, and 
to which we have hitherto referred as sound 
and accurate. Dr. Agnew Las since repu- 
diated them and declared that he had never 
given them "to any representative of the 
press." Against the charge of dishonesty 
that the surgeon thus presents by implica- 
tion the Tunes defends itself with complete 
success. Plain speaking people would 
seme dy guess tha in the apparently straight- 
forward card published by Dr. Agnew 
the day btf ire yesterJay he was taking 
refuge in a t liin and poor quibble. It ap- 
pears that Dr. Agnew did no' give these 
views to "a lepresentative of the pres-." 
He gave them to a professional gentleman, 
through whom they got into pr.nt, < nd the 
Times never pretended ta have them any 
more directly than tha; simple fact would 
' justify. Dr. Agnew's denial is, therefore,' 
disingenuous. Dr. Agnew says in his card, 
"In no particular do the detiiis given rep- 
resent my views of the case." Now what 
does that mean? What are the detiiis? One 
of them was as to the laceration of the 
liver. The report said, "Nor was the 
liver torn." If that does not represent Dr. 
Agnew's view then he believes that the liver 
was torn. Does he believe that? Another 
point was as to the penetration. The re- 
port said, "The cavities of the chest and 
abdomen were never entered." If that is 
not Dr. Agnew's view then he believes that 
both these cavities were entered. Does he? 
It is a sad thing that a passably capable 
man shoukl thus feel himself called upon to 
compromise his intelligence merely to pro- 
tect others in their blunders-but then, no 
doubt, ethics are et lies. that he has • superhuman obstacles to overcome. 
They claim to have located the ball. It is false. 
They are still unaware ot the exact position and 
when they made the last incision they secretly in- 
tended to find the ball if they could. Meanwhile 
the patient, sinking under an abnormal and wearing 
pulse, is daily losing what vitality is left him. 
And there is now but small prospect for any relief 
while the ball remains where it is, and he is too 
weak to stand more operations. Let the truth be 
known. Our President is sinking fast and his con- 
dition is most critical." 
A VISIT FROM SENATOR DAWES. 
Senator Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, ar- 
rived in the city to-day and called at the White 
House to-night shortly before seven o'clock. He 
sent in his card and was admitted at once to the 
physicians' room. He came out in a few moments 
with a brightened countenance, and expressed him- 
self perfectly satisfied with the information he had 
received. He said that parties he came in contact 
with en route to the city seemed to take rather a 
gloomy view of affairs, and that he was much re- 
lieved by the report ho had just received from the 
physicians. The Senator concluded by stating that 
he had been given to understand that Washington 
was the worst place in the country to learn anything 
of a favorable nature touching the President's con- 
dition. With these brief remarks the Senator hur- 
riedly left. 
The crowds surrounding the places where 
bulletins are displayed did not show much cheer at 
the latest news from the sick room, and exhibited a 
degree of solicitude that was quite apparent to the 
observer. In this connection it may be well to 
mention that the number of persons seeking the 
bulletins is gradually swelling, and renewed anxiety 
is clearly manifest. A few days since the common 
expression was, "He will come out all right." Now 
we hear the laconic saying, "I hope he will pull 
through." It is evident on every hand that the 
case is treated with great gravity. The public con- 
stantly looks for something better, and shows its 
disappointment in not being gratified in this direc- 
tion. 
DR. AGNEW RETICENT. 
A feeling of anxiety pervaded the Executive Man- 
sion during the evening directly after the half-past 
six o'clock bulletin was issued. The attaches were 
very reserved and wore a discouraged air. It was 
apparent to a constant visitor at the White House 
that considerable uneasiness as to the President's 
condition prevailed. Directly after the evening con- 
sultation was concluded Dr. Agnew repaired to the 
residence of Attorney General MacVesgh, on Rhode 
Island avenue. A representative ot the Herald 
called there about half-past seven o'clock and was 
informed that the Doctor was at that time eating his 
supper. After presenting his card and asking 
that it be forwarded to the Doctor he was 
invited to enter. After waiting a few moments 
a son ot the Attorney General entered the 
largo and handsomely furnished parlor and s 'id ho 
had b an deputized by Dr. Agnew to inquire the na- 
ture of the call. He was informed that a statement 
of the President's condition from the Philadelphia 
surgeon's standpoint wa< desired, as the public at 
)ar,e seemed to entertain a very high regard for Dr. 
Agnew's opinion, and they derived more satisfac- 
tion from that than front the bulletins. After going 
into the dining room and remaining for a few min- 
utes he returned, saying:- 
"The Doctor is very tired and requests me to ask 
you to excuse him. He says there is nothing he bi^i 
to add to the evening bulletin. He is not inclined 
to talk on the subject to-night, and is about to re- 
tire." 
"Won't you ask the Doctor to give a general opin- 
ion of the President's case to-night and ask him 
what is the cause of the increase of pulse and tem- 
perature since noon?" 
Again young MacVeagh entered the dining room 
and soon returned, accompanied by the Attorney 
General, who said:- 
"The Doctor declines to be seen to-night and re- 
fuses to make any statement except th it he must 
confine himself to the bulletin." 
It is usual when Dr. Agnew visits the Attornev 
General's residence that he is represented by coun- 
sel. On this occasion ho was ably represented by 
the head of the Department ot Justice. 
DR. BLISS HOPEFUL AND CONFIDENT. 
About a quarter past eight Dr. Bliss came ont of I 
the sick room and went to the telephone and re- 
quested that the prescription he had ordered be 
sent immediately to the President's house. The 
Doctor was asked if there was any truth in the state- 
ment that it was the intention ot the surgeons to 
attempt to extract <he ball. He replied: -"Not a । 
particle; such a proposition has not been mentioned 
in my presence, and I think I would know some- 
thing about it it such an idea w..s enter- 
tained. I asked my colleagues to-day squarely 
if they thought the presence of the ball 
was causing any unusual trouble, and they said that 
it was not. We are all of the opinion that ths ball 
is isolated from the pus and is therefore harmless." 
He also added that the high pulse and temperature 
need not cause any unnecessary alarm, yet be said 
it was a little higher than lie had hoped it would be 
to-day. A plaster was ordered to-night to bo 
made in a hurry and forwarded to the White House. 
The object of this plaster is to relievo the pain in 
the back of the President, occasioned by his coi - 
tinuous lying in one position. 
DB. BASIL NORTH'S VIEWS. 
Dr. Basil Norris, United States Army, in conversa- 
tion to-night with a Herald representative, said:- 
"1 have no doubt as to the President's recovery. 
One thing must lie taken into consideration in 
this case that is different from hundreds of other 
cases of gunshot wounds, and that is, bulletins 
as to the patient's condition have never be- 
fore been spread before the people as they 
are now. These bulletins which are giv, n 
to the public for its information of course are not 
understood by those not in the profession, and 
whenever there is a rise of temperature an uneasi- 
ness is create.!. The gentlemen hiving the Presi- 
dent's case in charge are doing their very best to 
alleviate his suffering, and, with their ability com- 
bined, there is the strongest hope for his recovery. 
Had bulletins been given the public in other cases 
the action of the physicians now would be better 
understood and appreciated." 
THE USE OF STIMULANTS. 
The temperance people here are expressing the 
strongest condemnation of the liberal use of brai.dv 
by the physicians in the President's case, and cia m 
that the too frequent use of that liquor is retarding 
his recovery. A gentleman who assisted in cany- 
ing the President from the police ambulance to his 
bed the day he was shot says about fifteen nnnutes 
after he was placed on the bed a large drink of 
brandy was given him, which was followed 
shortly after by another. The President objected 
to taking it, but be was persuaded to do so on the 
ground that his system required a stimulant. He 
acceded and drank it. The temperance people, some | 
of them being physicians, insist that the use of 
brandy as a stimulant should be stopped, as it is 
doing him great harm. A story comes through a 
Cabinet officer to the effect that the increased tem- 
perature of the President during the last week could 
have been partially reduced if the President 
would have taken brandy to strengthen 
him. Ue was informed of this fact, but 
upon hearing that it was not absolutely essential to 
the progress of the case,, he said he would rather 
not use it, and he did not. Yesterday, previous to Dr. 
Hamilton's departure from the city, he said to 
General O. E. Babcock that it is probable that the 
cause of the cont.nuous fever is the shattered con- 
dition of the President's rib. This, he thought, 
would continue some days, after which the Presi- 
dent would begin to recover and make rapid strides 
in that driection until he becomes himself again. 
ANOTHER OPERATION IMMINENT. 
From the course the symptoms have taken re- 
cently it would indicate against the theory of malaria 
being a complication in the case. Even it a mild 
degree of malaria existed, the true facts are too 
dominant to be mistaken. This feature, however, 
has been treated at length in these despatches, and 
this ground b en maintained. There is no sense 
in disguising the tact that the wound is taxing 
the President's strength to its utmost, and 
is telling every day in the wear and tear that is in 
progress. Continued irritation and suppuration are 
undoubtedly the depressing agencies. Every hour 
indicates more conclusively that the trouble arises 
from that portion of the wound between the point 
of supposed contraction and the location of the 
ball. The peculiar fluctuations ot pulse and temper- 
ature confirm this view beyond controversy. When 
the President was in a stronger condition this same 
process of suppuration was going on, although the 
exaltation ot pulse and temperature was not so 
marked. But in his present debilitated condition the 
President is less able to resist it. As predicted in 
the Herald, a further exploration of the wound be- 
tween the contraction and the ball will be abso- 
lutely necessary, and it is very reasonable to antici- 
pate that the efforts of the surgeons will be expended 
in this direction whenever they are certain it can be 
prudently done. The great object in view is to re- 
lease imprisoned pus and establish thorough drain- 
age between the ball and the external wound. It is 
stated by the attending physicians that the 
flow ot pus is adequate. This might be 
the fact an! yet an obstruction exist 
to a full discharge of pus. It is therefore plain that 
there is no other alternative but further incisions, 
and this necessarily makes the case graver for the 
President, inasmuch as it will impose an additional 
tax upon his limited strength. That something 
must be done to-morrow or next day is evident, for 
the present state of affairs would seem to 
demand some surgical interference, even at 
the risk of subjecting the patient to the 
depression resulting from another shock in his 
present unsatisfactory state. Although the Pres- 
ident's condition is so bad it is to be hoped that his 
digestion will not be materially impaired. Some 
nausea and vomiting, however, were noted to-:lay, 
which would indicate that they Existed to a greater 
extent than is fully understood outside. Taken in 
connection with the unexpected rise of pulse and 
NEW YORK HER ALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW WRK. MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1881. 
!BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 
Washington, August 14, 1881. 
The beginning of tlio seventh week of the Presi- 
dent's illness is by no means reassuring. The bulle- 
tins are posted daily with regularity, but there has 
disappeared from the text of the official utterances 
one word which has cheered the constant observer 
at least twice a day during the five weeks ending 
Saturday, August 6; that was the word "normal." 
The bullet ins have run:-Pulse so much, tempera- 
ture and respiration normal. That condition no 
longer exists. Respiration has been normal but 
three times during the past week, and temperature 
but twice, while the pulse was below 100 but three 
times. In this connection it may be interesting to 
know that a careful calculation of the strain upon I he 
President's heart has been in the last six weeks 
2.000,000pulsations in excess of normal, and yet he is 
getting well. He is mending rapidly and so satis- 
factorily that the evening bulletin to-night was re- 
duced practically to the figures usually given every 
day. By actual count the number of words in the 
signatures of the physicians and the place and date 
from whence the bulletin was issued was nearly the 
same as the number of words in the body of the bul- 
letin, and, more than that, the wording was exceed- 
ingly reckless. It began by saying:-"The condition 
of the President has not materially changed since 
noon." This is a very important announce- 
ment, for at noon the pulse was 96, and at 
night 108. A difference of twelve beats per minute 
is not material. At noon the temperature was 
99 3-10; to-night it was one degree and a halt 
higher. The next sentence says, "The afternoon ' 
febrile rise is about the same as yesterday." Yes- 
terday the public was startled by the high tempera- | 
ture in the morning bulletin, unprecedented in the 
history of the case. Avery reasonable excuse was 
given, and that was that the wound was not thor- 
oughly drained the night b fore. Perhaps the doc- 
tors are getting tired of the monotony. But why 
was pus allowed to remain in the track when 
it could have been diawn off with a little 
more care? And why is the temperature and respi- 
ration no longer normal? One of the surgeons has 
said that these were signs of recuperation. As it 
has been pertinently remarked, if the President's 
case is an exception to all generalized data about gun 
shot wounds, what is the use of fooling the public 
with official bulletins? Something has been radi- 
cally changed to cause the temperature to be abnor- 
mal morning after morning for eight days past. It 
began b fore the operation and etherization cf 
Monday last and it has increased as the days have 
gone by instead of diminishing as the surgeons said 
it gradually would. 
GRAVE FEARS IN WASHINGTON. 
The Capital to-day says upon this point:-"The 
bulletins have been contusing. They say that he is 
steadily improving, and in the same breath we learn 
of a pulse and temperature which would soon de- 
stroy a man of the stoutest physique. Why cannot 
these men tell the truth? Why cannot they let the 
country know that its President is a mere wreck of 
a man through all this prostration? Why cannot 
they frankly admit that his stomach is gone; that 
he cannot carry his hand to his head without pain, 
and that he is so tar reduced in flesh as to be a mere 
skeleton? The only possible motive in trying 
to conceal the true state of affairs lies 
in a regard for their own selfish professional 
reputations. The truth may as well be told. Wo 
do not care to reflect on the eminent consulting 
physicians; they werefcalled in at a time when the 
only course possible was no doubt the one they rec- 
ommended should bo pursued. But those medical 
men-that is, the ones regularly in charge of the 
c ise must regard the public as fools if they expect 
them to believe in good faith all the mysteriously 
encouraging reports sent out in the shape of bul- 
letins. Can they reasonably expect that 
they will be believed when they report 
a patient daily and steadily gaining strength 
when his pulse averages 106? Have people 
no brains? Are they all confined to the 
medical fraternity? It is so simple a proposition 
that we wonder people have been so long deluded by 
these pretensions. President Garfield has not been 
gaining for days and nights past. In fact, he has 
been slowly and surely going down. He is weaker 
to-day bv fifty per cent than ho was two weeks ago, 
so much so that the doctors fear the result of 
another incision incase of a further pusVavity. 
They speak of his great nerve and vitality. Both 
are granted. He is entitled to the credit 
of wonderful nerve and almost superhu- 
man vitality. But let it be remembered temperature this evening, it is at least a significant ' 
symptom, and an additional ground for apprehen- 
sion. 
THE QUESTION OF EXTRACTION. 
A prominent surgeon of this city was asked to- 
night what difference as to danger there would be in 
making another and lower incision in the track of 
the ball trom the back and an operation into the 
anterior wall of the abdomen to effect communica- 
tion with the wound and extract the ball. 
He answered:-"If it is determined that pus is 
forming in <he immediate vicinity of the bail, or 
that the ball itself is producing trouble, it would 
be good surgery to operate from the front. Under 
the present condition of the President either method 
would involve a serious operation, and the danger 
of grave subsequent results would be about equal, j 
If, as has been stated, tiie attending physicians are 
reasonably certain that the ball is in the iliac fossa, the 
operation for its removal could be performed with 
every prospect of its proving successful. In Dr, 
I Agnew's hands I believe it would be a safe opera- 
I tion. On the other hand, a new incision into the 
track of the ball from the rear is no ordinary piece 
of surgery. That portion ' of the wound is repre- 
j sented to be rapidly healing, and the cutting into 
new tissue, which is the « »'* of granula 
tion and is extremely vr -n'.ar, has been 
deprijeated by leading surgeons. If you 
remember when the last incision was made it was 
| stated that the operation listed for nearly an hour. 
That time must have been consumed in cleanin' 
ont the wound and making as thorough an exam- 
ination of Iha track of the ba'l is was possible. -I 
the printed statements are to be credited the physi- 
cians found indications of granulation extensive 
enough to prevent the insertion of the drain ige tube 
to such a depth as would insure a perfect discharge 
of the pus. Any operation to reopen this portion 
of the wound would require to be performed 
with the greatest care. To cut iuto fh> anterior 
wall of th a abdomen and roach the iliac fust would 
require that the peritoneum should be pushed ip 
after the incision was made, so that the operator 
C"ul I reach the muscles in which the ball is sup- 
posed to he located. I', is not probable that peri- 
tonitis would result from such an operation, pro- 
vided the ball has been correctly located. Aside 
from the extraction of the ball, such an incision 
would afford decidedly more advantageous means 
for a thorough drainage of the lower part of the 
wound and ronder it unura ssary to use any other 
means to secure a free discharge of the pus. The 
shock of either operation woul I bi about equal." 
NAUSEA AND VOMITING. 
About a quarter past, ten o'clock Colonel Rockwell 
was met on his way to the President's beds de. 
where he was to remain on watch during the night. 
He was asked the position of the President while 
lying in bed, to which he replied that ihe 
President rested usually upon his back, with 
his head slightly elevated. Th s position was 
sometimes changed, however, in dressing the wound. 
In the latter case he is moved over on his right side 
and secured in this attitude to assist the drain ge o' 
tho wound. Again he is placed upon his left side as 
a means of relief from the tlneasinesa of one 
position. 
"Now, Colonel, tell me how has the President ap- 
peared to you to-day-that is, what is hit real con- 
dition? Has he appeared comfortable and has he 
been inclined to converse?" 
"Well, with the exception of a slight nausea and 
occasional vomiting, he has passed a somewhit fa 
vorablo day. The vomiting, however, is not sup- 
posed to result from the wound. The President ate 
a piece of Bermuda onion yesterday, which proba- 
bly caused it. He seemed cheerful and has conversed 
with the attendants almost as much as usual." 
"Colonel, does the pus continue to flow spontane- 
ously?" 
"Yes, the bandages are saturated with ) u vevery 
time they are removed, and by a slight pressure ol 
the hand an addition'll amount is discharged." 
"Is not the pressure of the hand upon the track o! 
the ball to assist the discharge of pus likely fa 
cause irritation and prevent the encysting of thi 
ball?" 
"Ob, no: the pressure is made very delicately and 
tenderly and in the most gentle mam e •, just 1hi 
same as you would press upon a boil. It is always 
done in cases of gunshot wounds." 
"What assurance have you that the bill has en- 
cysted?" 
"Why, the fact that beyond a certain point in tho 
track of the ball an obstruction is met with. All the 
indications go to prove that the wound has healed 
for several inches from the extreme end of it." 
"Could not there be some unnatural obstruc ion 
which has stopped the flow of pus from the other 
end of the wound and caused this rise in pulse and 
temperature?" 
"That would be pent ud pus, and in 
such a case it would immediately make 
itself known by chilis and rigors. There 
are no indications of pent up pus, and this 
high pulse and temperature are not wholly un x- 
pected, but are a little more severe than was antici- 
pated. There is no unusual alarm telt by the sur- 
geons, and there has been nothing said about per- 
forming an operation in my presence. I do no', 
know what has been said in the consultation room." 
INDIAN DISGUST FOR THE ASSASSIN. 
Little Chief and the six other Indians who have 
arrived here in advance of the other twenty Sioux 
and Cheyenne Indians who are to have a talk with 
the Secretary of the Interior about Indian troubles, 
though they knew of the shooting of th dr 
Great Father, the President, before they 
got here, spent nearly the entire day 
in asking their interpreter the particulars 
and reasons for the shooting of the President 1 y 
Guiteau. This evening a Hehaed representative had 
a talk with Little Chief. Through the interpreter 
he expressed his thorough disgust for Guiteau. He 
said he regarded it as a great crime. 
•'I was told the reason," said Little Chief, "why 
he shot the Great Father. It was like that of Crow 
Dog, who shot Spotted Tail-jealousy because the 
Great Father was bigger man than Guiteau, as 
Spotted Tail was bigger man than Crow Dog." 
Drs. Bliss, Reyburn and Woodward remain on 
duty during the night. The effort has been made 
to relieve the stomach of the nausea, and further 
remedies were applied to reduce the nervous condi- 
tion incident to retching. 
TOE WHITE HOUSE BULLETINS. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 14-8:30 A. M. 
The President slept well during the night, ami 
this morning expresses himself as feeling comfort- 
able. His temnerature is one degree less than at the 
same hour yesterday. His general condition good. 
Pulse, 100; temperature, 99.8; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERI HEYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 14-12:30 P. M. 
The President has done well this morningf ijis 
temperature bas tallwtl one-half of a degree sin<ce the 
last bulletin was issued. At the morning dressing 
the condition of the wound was found to be excellent, 
and the discharge of pus adequate and healthy. 
Pulse 96; temperature, 99.3: respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion, August 14-5 P. M. 
The President has passed a very comfortable day 
and at this hour is resting quietly. The attending 
surgeons are of the opinion that the favorable condi- 
tion of the patient will continue, and that the next 
few davs will show a marked improvement. 
His pulse and temperature remain about the same 
as when the noon bulletin was issued. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. August 14-6:30 P. M. 
The condition of the President has not materially 
changed since noon. The afternoon febrile rise is 
about the same as yesterday. 
Pulse, 108; temperature, 100 8: respiration, 19. 
D W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HATES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, NEW YORK HERALD 
Being asked in reference to the situation, he replied 
that there was no denying the fact that the Presi- 
dent's condition was unfavorable. Ho said further, 
that the doctors did not expect the trouble of nausea 
at this stage of the illness, and felt an anxiety at such 
an additional complication. He r stated that the 
physicians were more than satisfied with the ap- 
pearance of the wound, and anticipated no difficulty 
from this source. 
To use his own words, "The President's stomach 
has gone back on him," but that the physicians 
hoped to set it aright by morning. 
"Has the patient been able to retain any food to- 
day ?" 
"I understand he has not." 
"Answer me frankly, Mr. Brown, whether or not 
Dr. Hamilton has been telegraphed for?" 
"So far as I know he has not. No such crisis as 
that has arisen. I suppose you are aware that Dr. 
Hamilton is due here to-morrow afternoon any how, 
according to arrangement." 
Mr. Brown also denied a rumor that the Vice 
President had been summoned to the city 
"IN A VERY CRITICAL CONDITION." 
When the half-past six o'clock P. M. bulletin was 
distributed, and the condition of the President an- 
nounced, the people here became very much ex- 
cited, and the general expression was that the Presi- 
dent would not live very long. It was evident the ' 
President had not taken enough food to overcome 
his nervous exhaustion, and the result was that he 
became prostrated. Dr. Dexter, one of the most 
prominent physicians in the city, said:- 
"This rise may be attributed to the condition of 
the patient's stomach. It is clearly to be seen that 
he has not taken sufficient food, and the result is 
the severe prostration that is now at hand. I am 
clearlv of the oninion that the President is in a vary 
critical condition. Injections can go to a. certain 
extent and no farther." 
These views coincide with those of Dr. Bliss, who 
said this evening very reluctantly that, 
"The President is in a very critical condition, 
worse than he has been at any time before. His 
stomach has gone back on him, which necessitates 
the furnishing of nourishment to him by means of 
injections." 
A SLOWEB PULSE OBSERVED. 
At twenty minutes past nine o'clock Mr. Brown 
reported that the pulsations at the wrist had de- 
creased ten beats since the half-past six o'clock 
bulletin was issued, and that the temperature 
and respiration were nearly normal. He added that 
the President at that time rested easily, was breath- 
ing quite naturally and seemed as comfortable as 
could be looked for under the circumstances. He 
said that at nine o'clock a nutritious enema was ad- 
ministered to the patient which produced a favor- 
able effect. He also stated that Dr. Agnew left the 
White House this evening about seven o'clock feel- 
ing a little indisposed, the result of a mild attack of 
lumbago, not to return until morning. He con- 
cluded by stating that the doctors felt very much 
encouraged at the appearance of the wound and said 
that if they could only overcome the nausea all 
would be well. 
QUESTIONING THE BRANDY EXPERIMENT. 
Until yesterday, when stimulants were given the 
President it was in the form of wine or rum. The 
koumiss preparation soon proved itself to be a 
failure. On Saturday brandy was given the Presi- 
dent. He expressed a dislike for it from the start, 
but to please Dr. Agnew took it. When Dr. Agnew 
was mixing some up the President asked:-"Is 
that for me?" Dr. Aguew answered:-"Yes, 
1 wish you would drink it." The Presi- 
dent said:-"I don't like it." Finally, to 
please the doctor, Me took it. Similar doses were 
given him several times yesterday and were re- 
peated to-day. The brandy failed altogether in 
bringing about the condition that was desired. It 
unsettled his stomach completely and soon ren- 
dered nourishment in a natural manner an impossi- 
bility. There is considerable talk heard to-night 
about the change to brandy, the information that it 
had been given to him having got out 
from the sick room in some way. The 
most charitable express the opinion that it 
was a mistake under tne circumstances. The atten- 
tion of one of the President's physicians being called 
to the matter, he said :- 
"We are doing and have done what we regarded as 
right. We expect to be blamed if we do not do any 
particular thing, and we will be blamed If we do. 
The case is in our hands and we will do the best that 
can be done, and, of course, will have to stand the 
consequences. Those who criticise and blame us do 
so without knowing anything about the case, lor it is 
impossible for us to give out everything tnat hap- 
pens in the sick room." 
MBS. EDSON'S BEPOBT. 
Mrs. Dr. Edson said to-day that the President 
spent a pretty bad Bunday, suffering from repeated 
vomiting, but that to take the day's record all 
together it could be said to be the best of the bad 
Sundays. She says the indications are that the 
wound is healing. 
Being asked it the President showed any relish for 
the exceedingly varied bill of faro it was said he had 
partaken of lately, she answered, "He has had little 
or no appetite. At the best meal he has made lately 
after a couple of mouthfuls he would ask to have it 
removed." 
"Was the occurrence of tbat fateful day six weeks 
ago thoughtfif by the President on Saturday?" 
"Oh, yes. He never misses talking of it on each 
Saturday morning. When the clock noted the time 
Saturday morning he said, 'Here I am, six weeks to- 
day.' He counts the days as they pass along." 
"Has he mentioned Guiteau lately?" 
"Very rarely. He scarcely ever talked about him 
on his own accord if it was not suggested by some 
one else in the course of the conversation. Lately 
everybody seems to have forgotten the miserable 
creature who nas inflicted so much pain on the most 
patient sufferer that ever lived." 
"Is the dressing of the wound painful?" 
"No, it is not; but he is apprehensive always that 
it will hurt him, and so when it is finished he is 
greatly relieved." 
"Is his sleep at night restful ?" 
"Yes, he sleeps naturally when he does at all, but 
wakes up dreamy and half unconscious. He has not 
to-day nor yesterday got much rest, even for brief 
periods." 
WHAT DB. BOYNTON SAYS. 
Your correspondent met Dr. Boynton, the Presi- 
dent's family physician, at the White House this 
evening about half-past nine o'clock, and asked him 
how the President was at that hour. He replied 
that he seemed a little better than earlier in the day, 
"What reasons do the attending physicians give 
for the rise in his pulse?" 
"They attribute it solely to the nausea and 
vomiting that set in yesterday. The doctors are 
perfectly satisfied that the President's weak condi- 
tion to-day is due entirely to this." 
"'Then they do not think that the patient's great 
debility is induced by the wound or irritation in the 
location of the ball?" 
"Not at all. The physicians are administering 
remedies principally to correct the disorders of the 
stomach." 
"Are they alarmed at the condition of their pa- 
tient ?" 
"Well, not exactly alarmed. Of course they feel 
great anxiety at this trouble appearing at this late 
day, and fully realize the necessity of the President 
to partake of nourishment for the purpose of regain" 
ing lost strength. The nausea and vomiting is a 
complicatiou that they did not anticipate at this 
time." 
"Are his bowels active?" 
' "No; nothing like that." 
"Does the patient appear very weak to-day?" 
"Necessarily so, after what he passed through last 
night and to-day." 
"Does the patient seem to realize his condition?" 
"No doubt he does. He has been a close observer 
of his case since the beginning." 
"What remedies are the physicians administering 
for this nausea and vomiting?" 
j"Simply sub-nitrate of bismuth." 
"Notwithstanding the great confidence in the out- 
come I suppose Mrs. Garfield shares the anxiety of 
the attending physicians?" 
"Yes, there is no disguising that. It is very 
natural that she should feel anxious." 
"lias she been by the President's bedside more to- 
day titan usual?" 
"Yes, considerably more; in fact, a greater por- 
tion of the day." 
"Has the patient partaken of any food to-day?" 
"Well, he is in no conditioifto take food." 
"Has he expressed no desire for any?" 
"I believe not." 
"Did Mrs. G afield read the papers to him to-day?" 
"No; he is not in a condition to have anything 
read to him." 
"Now, Doctor, what is the general appearance of 
the President? Does his weakness show itself to a 
marked degree?" 
"Yes. He cannot help but show his debility and 
the strain upon him. He is quite weak to-day." 
"Do the doctors surmise that he will show any 
improvement when the later bulletin is issued?" 
"They hope tor a more favorable showing. You 
must know that the President'cannot be expected to 
show a decided gain in view of the circumstances." 
"How is the condition of the wound?" 
"It has a perfectly healthy appearance, and, as I 
said before, the difficulty is with the stomach." 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW^YORK, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 188L 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. i 
Washington, August 15,1831. 
The following were the official bulletins issued at 
the White House during the day announcing the 
President's condition:- 
Executive Mansion, August 15-8:30 A. M. 
The President did not rest as well as usual last 
night. Until toward three o'clock his sleep 
was not sound and he awoke at short 
intervals. His stomach was irritable, and 
he vomited several times. About three o'clock he 
became composed, and slept well until after seven 
this morning. His stomach is still irritable, and his 
temperature rather higher than yesterday^ At pres- 
ent his pulse is 108, his temperature 100.2, his respi- 
ration 20. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
Since the last bulletin the President has not again 
vomited, and has been able to retain the nourish- 
ment administered. At the morning dressing the 
discharge of pus was free and of good character. 
Since then his pulse has been more frequent, but the 
temperature has fallen to a little below what it was 
at ibis time yesterday. At present his pulse is 118, 
his temperature 99 degrees, his respiration 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
Tjie irritability of the President's stomach 
returfj^ during the afternoon, and he 
has vomited three times since one o'clock. 
Although the afternoon rise of tempera- 
ture is less than it has been for several days, the 
pulse and respiration are more frequent, so that his 
condition is on the whole less satisfactory. His 
pulse is now 130; temperature, 99.6; respiration, 22. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
Tne scenes at the White House to-night were more 
animated and betrayed more anxiety than has been 
noticeable since the night of the shooting. Directly 
after the evening bulletin was issued and its con- 
tents became known there was a rush made for the 
House. The bulletin board at the entrance to the 
grounds was surrounded by an eager and anxious 
throng who questioned closely every one coming 
out of the gate. Dr. Agnew and Master Harry Gar- 
field came out of the Executive Mansion 
just before dark. The latter seemed in great 
trouble, and his eyes were swollen with repressed 
tears. Dr. Agnew appeared very serious, and it was 
with a great effort of self-control and with an 
averted face that he sadly shook the sorrowing lad's 
hand as he got into his buggy and was driven off. 
Secretary Kirkwood and General Sherman came out 
of the physicians' room about nine o'clock, and an- 
nounced that the President had been sleeping for 
several minutes, which was renewing hope in 
the breasts of the attendants. Assistant Sec- 
retary Hitt, of the State Department, had 
telegraphed just previously ko Secretary 
Blaine and Minister Lowell that the Presi- 
dent's condition was of the gravest character, 
md that the physicians were very much alarmed. 
Among those present during the evening were ex- 
Sheriff Daggett, of Brooklyn; General Sherman, Sec- 
retary Kirkwood, Secretary Windom, Attorney Gen- 
eral MacVeigh, Second Assistant Postmaster General 
Elmer, William A. Cook, Commissioner Morgan, A, 
A. Aiiee, of the State Department; Lieutenant Hoxie. 
Commissioner of Pensions Dudley, Judge Hagner, 
Dr. W. Tindall, Rev. Dr. Power and First Comptrol- 
ler Lawrence. A prominent District official was 
standing near Dr. Agnew when he left and he no- 
ticed that the Doctor wore a particularly grave and 
Berions expression. To use this gentleman's exact 
words, "He saw a dead man in Dr. Agnew's eyes." 
A VEBY SICK STOMACH. 
Shortly after the evening bulletin was issued Pri- 
vate Secretary Brown came in his office and he was 
immediately beset by a number of newspaper men. "What time did the vomiting begin yesterday?" 
"Well, it occurred during the day, beginning in 
the morning and continuing until late at night." 
"I suppose that he threw up undigested food?" 
The Doctor looked at your correspondent with 
compressed lips as though he was astonished at 
such a question and then answered:- 
"My dear sir, he has not partaken of enough solid 
food to make an indication In the vomiting. That 
which he threw up was greenish matter, showing a 
disturbed condition of the gastric nerves." 
"You saw the letter that you wrote to the Pros 
ident's cousin in St. Louis, published to-day?" 
"Yes, I did. It was a private letter in the strict 
sense of the word, aud should not have been made 
public. Its publication places me in the position of 
saying that which would not have been stated had I 
known it would have been published. It is uatural 
for one to indulge in the most hopeful expectations, 
but at the same time one does not expect to see his 
opinions, addressed to a, private individual, given 
outas a matterof news." 
AN ATONIC CONDITION. 
A surgeon who has probably more closely watched 
the President's case than any other in Washington 
says that the latest news from the sick room would 
indicate an ato'nic condition or a total inability of 
the stomach to digest, resulting from extreme de- 
bility. Such a condition implies a giving way of 
the nerve poweis of the system, and it is a question 
now how much longer the heart can perform its func- 
tion. The case to night presents unmistakable signs 
of asthenia or great exhaustion, with a high pulse, 
pulse. Therefore it does not necessarily follow 
that there should be an increase of tem- 
perature. If blood poisoning should ensue 
that would be looked for, but it is doubtful 
whether there is enough vitality now to develop 
this condition. The respiration is also beginning 
to show the same influence that produced the 
stomach disturbance, namely, a lack of power 
chiefly of the pneumo-gastric nerve, which 
is the most important nerve of the 
body, and the one chiefly concerned in circula- 
tion and respiration. The morphia and nu- 
trient enemata administered to-day and to-night 
seemed to produce a good effect, which may be, 
however, only temporary. It may be, too, that 
some spiculte of bone in the track of the wound has 
all this time contributed to the general irritation, 
and it certainly, under these circumstances, is not 
to be expected that the ball has encysted. From all 
the indie itions at eleven o'clock it is reasonable to 
expect almost any result. A congestion of the lungs 
is likely to result also from asthenia. 
TOO MUCH QUININE ALSO? 
It is the opinion of one of the constant attendants 
upon the President that the surgeons have been ad- 
ministering medicines in larger doses than his 
stomach in its debilitated condition can stand with- 
out injury. Quinine has been freely administered, 
washed down by small quantities of brandy, 
which has not only been distasteful to the 
President but apparently prejudicial in its 
effect. The lime water and milk, which has also 
been freely given to the President to quiet his 
stomach, seems not only to have lost its palatable 
effect, but has become positively an irritant as it 
occasionally does in peculiar constitutions. The 
President is a mere shadow of his former 
self. He is not as large as the 
Rev. Dr. Power, his pastor, who is 
a man probably of about one hundred and thirty- 
five pounds. The wound seems to be doing well, 
and his principal complaint is with respect to the 
feeling of heaviness in the pit of his stomach, which 
is perfectly natural to a dyspeptic nature. The 
President has conversed very little to-day. I might 
say that he has not spoken at all except when ques- 
tioned by the surgeons. 
MBS. GARFIELD'S ANXIETY. 
Mrs. Garfield, while out of the sick room, could 
not entirely conceal her anxiety, though when she 
approaches her husband she maintains the utmost 
composure, almost amounting to apparent cheerful- 
ness. The President also makes special efforts to 
control any evidence of pain or suffering while she 
is in or about the sick room. Anerson in a position 
able to express an unbiased opinion says that 
Mrs. Garfield is greatly m need of a friendly ad- 
viser. She seems to be dissatisfied with the persons 
surrounding the President's bedside. Her confi- 
dence in Dr. Agnew and Dr. Hamilton, however, is 
unwavering, but aside from them she is not entirely 
reconciled to the others, so that she is at a loss to 
know which way to turn for that consultation a 
woman in her situation would naturally seek. This 
information touching the inside feeling in the 
White House gives a very fair description of tbe sit- 
uation. From Agent Lehman, who saw Mrs. Gar- 
field late this afternoon, your correspondent learned 
that she seemed bewildered, but not disheartened, 
at the unfavorable symptoms in her hus- 
band's case. She appeared to feel that everything 
was being done that could be done. There was a 
lack of ability in treating the case which perplexed 
her, an idea that the best had not been done, prob- 
ably because the doctors were afraid to pursue the 
same methods with the President that they would 
with an ordinary patient. Still she was hopeful of 
a favorable result and avowed her Intention of 
keeping up till the end. She was also 
worried at the manner in which the 
President has wasted, for he has lost 
fully eighty pounds. The skin is drawn tightly 
across his forehead and his face wears an expression 
of continual pain. Judge Advocate General Swaim 
came out of the sick room at half-past ten o'clock 
and stated to the family that the President was 
sleeping naturally and that he was Confident of a 
change for the better by morning. This had a 
tendency to reassure Mrs. Garfield, and she was 
persuaded to seek a needed rest. 
At a quarter past eleven all was quiet about the 
White House and the members of the Cabinet who 
had been in attendance all the evening left for their 
homes. At half-past eleven the lights were extin- 
guished, no one except the watchmen being visible, 
a feeling of relief being everywhere apparent. At 
this hour Assistant Secretary of State Hitt said that 
his latest advices from the sick room were much 
more encouraging than earlier in the evening and 
he had telegraphed to this effect to Secretary Blaine. 
Dr. Basil Morris, of the army, however, who was 
one of the first surgeons called on the 2d of July, 
said to-night that ho did not have any very late in- 
formation, but on what he had he did not think the 
President's case was an utterly hopeless ofie. 
"Can he pull through?" was asked. 
He answered:-"The President has already done 
so much in this direction that we can hardly doubt 
anything. The physicians have not givon him up 
and will not till he gets a great deal w.orse." 
At eleven o'clock the patient awakeneJ. He was 
then sponged off, his position changed, and he soon 
resumed his sleep. 
At twelve o'clock there were but three persons in 
the Private Secretary's room. He departed 
to ascertain the latest news from the sick 
room. After a brief absence he returned and said: 
"Gentlemen, I have a good midnight bulletin. The 
favorable conditions which began after the half- 
past six o'clock bulletin was issued still con- 
tinue, and the President is now resting 
comfortably. I went to the door leading to his 
room and listened. He was breathing very naturally. 
The doctors are fast asleep, the lights are out and 
everything is as still as the tomb." 
UNOFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
Executive AIansion, August 15-12 M. 
The President is said to be considerably better at 
this hour than when the morning bulletin was 
issued. He has taken some milk and a small quan- 
tity of beef exti act. He has also partaken ot some 
whiskey with egg, all of which he has retained. In 
response to an inquiry as to the cause of tbe 
President's vomiting. Private Secretary Brown said 
that It was due entirely to a weak stoma h, and 
while it was more or less aggravated by the wound, 
that it could not be attributed solely tc its effects. 
He added that the President had contracted dys- 
pepsia while he was in the army and had at 
no time since been entirely free from it; and 
that wheu he was in apparent good hea th, he 
was often troubled with nausea. Mr. Brown says 
that the surgeons are not at all alarmed at the 
President's present condition. During the last hour ' 
he has slept some, and appears to be stronger. 
It having been intimated that the operation per- 
formed on Monday last was in fact an attempt to I 
remove the ball, Mr.Brown was asked if the story had 
any foundation. He replied that it was entirely er- I 
roneous, adding there was no immediate intention 
of disturbing tbe ball. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive AIansion-2:15 P. M. 
Much anxiety is exhibited throughout the city re- 
garding tbe President's condition, and num 
bers of inquiries have been made at the 
AIansion throughout the day. The teeling 
throughout the country was similarly manifested 
by tne large number of press correspondents, who 
called at tbe White House to receive the half-past 
twelve P. M. bulletin for the respective papers which 
they represent. Aside from this, many requesis tor 
the "latest news" have been received from the 
several Executive departments. The temperature 
and respiration, as stated in the last bulletin, 
are generally conceded as favorable indica- 
tions, but tlie pulse, which is given as 
118. causes considerable uneasiness in tbe public 
mind. Since the issuance of the bulletin it has been 
impossible to confer directly with any ot the attend-, 
ing surgeons. Attorney General MacVeagh called a 
short time ago, a id as he was leaving the White 
House, said, in reply to an interrogatory, that 
Dr. Agnew attributed the unusually high pulse to 
the weak condition of the patient, caused by the 
nausea with which he has been troubled. The 
surgeons took the patient's pulse about fifteen min- 
utes to two o'clock P. M., when it was 112, being a 
decrease of six beats in less than two hours. At this 
hour the pulse is still decreasing. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive AIansion-9:30 P. M. 
Private Secretary Brown, who has just come from 
the surgeons' room, says that the President is still 
sleeping. He also says that tbe sleep is natural, and 
that no morphia had been administered to-day. Tne 
statement heretofore made to that effect is er- ' 
roneous. 
The patient's pulse has decreased ten beats, being 
at tbe present time about 120. No further trouble 
from nausea has been experienced. The surgeons 
estimate the temperature at this hour to be about 
normal. The indications are that the pulse is still 
subsiding, 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive AIansion, August 15-11:30 P. M. 
Although there has been a feeling of anxiety at 
the Executive AIansion all day, no alarm was 
felt regarding the President's condition until 
late this afternoon. The fact that none , 
of the attending surgeons have entered the ! 
business apartments of the mansion during the day 
occasioned an unfavorable suspicion which the 
evening bulletin proved was warranted. Since 
the bulletin was issued there has been a 
constant arrival of anxious inquirers at 
tno White House. The room of Private 
Secretary Brown has been crowded all the evening. 
Secretary Lincoln is in New York and Secretary 
Blaine is in New Hampshire. Both these gentlemen 
have been communicated with by telegraph concern- 
ing the serious condition of the President. Private 
Secretary Sweet said to-night that he expected Sec- 
retary Lincoln to return to Washington to-morrow. 
One of the attendants upon the President said at 
half-past ten o'clock to-night that he did not con- 
sider the President's condition necessarily alarm- 
ing, although it certainly warranted anxiety; that 
he had not vomited? during the past six hours 
and that his sleep had been perfectly natural. 
In the opinion of this gentleman every- 
thing is being done for the patient that 
professional skill can suggest and he leels 
quite sure that the morning will show an im- 
provement. The members of the Cabinet left the 
mansion tor their respective homes about eleven 
o'clock, at which hour the patient was still sleeping 
naturally and quietly. Drs. Bliss and Beyburn re- 
main at the mansion during the night. 
Assistant Secretary Hitt deemed it advisable at a 
late hour to-night to inform Secretary Blaine of the 
unfavorable change infthe President's condition, in 
order that he might return to Washington. 
The following cablegram was sent at half-past 
eight this evening:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
President's condition less.satisfactory. Irritability 
of stomach returned. Vomited three times since 
one o'clock. Temperature 99, six less than for sev- 
eral days; pulse 130, and respiration 22. 
HITT, Acting Secretary. 
The following was also sent a few minutes past 
eight o'clock:- 
"General R. B. Hayes, Fremont, Ohio: - 
"Have reached another very serious point in tha 
case. The conditions at this hour (eight P. M.) are 
of a character that causes great anxiety. We 
hope for better things in the morning. 
"H. C. CORBLN.'' 
boynton's hopeful letter. 
St. Louis, Mo., August 15, 1831. 
The Globe-DeiMcrat contains the following:-"Mr. 
C. O. Rockwell, of this city, brother-in-law of Presi- 
dent Garfield, yesterday received the following very 
hopeful letter from Dr. S. A. Boynton, who has been 
for many years the physician of the .Garfield lamilv, 
and is now in constant attendance at the White 
House:- 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 12, 1881. J 
My Deab Sib-Your favor of the 10th received. 
The newspapers get things mixed somewhat. The 
President is in much better condition now than at 
any time since the injury, ind is improving every 
day, with every prospect of going steadily on to re- 
covery. Since you left he was obliged to undergo 
a pretty severe operation, which .promises to be 
the last in the way of cutting. You need feel no 
anxiety, for his recovery is only a matter of time. 
In regard to nursing, we now have things well ar- 
ranged. Mrs. Edson takes him one night until three 
A. ,M., and General Swaiue follows her and re- 
mains until seven A. M. I then take him 
and remain with him until Mrs. Edson 
returns some time during the day, and then she 
and I take turns staying with him during the day. 
The next night I stay with him until three A. M.; 
then Colonel Rockwell follows me and remains 
until seven A. AI., when I again take him, and so it 
goes day after day and night alter night. 
"I read your letter to the Presi ;ent and Mrs. 
Garfield. They send their love and say you need 
not think of coming back, for he is getting along so 
well that he will not need so much care in a few 
days. He is weak, but is much stronger than when 
you left, and in very good condition every way. 
_"S. A. BOYNTON." 
gabfield's letter to his mother. 
[Hiram CorrespondenceCleveland Leader, August 14.] 
Mrs. Garfield, the President's mother, received to- 
day a letter from her son. It is the first time she 
has had a word from his pen since he was shot, six 
weeks ago. It is brief, but it is written so clearly 
and legibly that it speaks volumes in regard to the 
President's physical condition. Mrs. Garfield has 
been filled with anxiety since she heard of the 
last operation that was performed upon her 
son. Nothing could have so effectually cheered 
and comforted her as this evidence of his 
increasing strength as well as for his thoughtful 
love for her. She is at present spending a few 
weeks in Hiram at the home of her niece, Mrs. P. 
B. Clapp. Knowing that many hearts would be 
gratified with the good nows the letter contains Mrs. 
Garfield has consented to send it to the Leader for 
publication in its columns. Tbe following is a ver- 
batim copy of the President's letter:- 
Washington, D. C., August 11, 1881. 
Dear Mother-Don't ba disturbed by conflicting re- 
ports about my condition. Il is true I am still weak and 
on my back, but I am gaining every day, and need only 
time and patience to bring me through. 
Give my love to all the relatives and friends, and espe- 
cially to sisters Hitty and Mary. Your loving son, 
JAME8 A. GARFIELD. 
Mrs. Eliza Garfield, Hiram, Ohio. ■ 
Condition of the President. 
Our news from Washington is extremely 
bad. At no moment since he was shot has 
the President been in a condition so critical 
as now. It is evident that his state was un- 
satisfactory on Saturday night ; Sunday was 
a bad day ; Sunday night was still worse, 
and all day yesterday he was distressed 
with nausea and the effort to vomit, and 
his pulse ran up to startling figures. 
It will be noted that in all the 
late reports, and even more notably 
yesterday than before, his pulse and the 
record of the bodily temperature have 
parted company. They do not move 
together. With the temperature at 99 
or that immediate neighborhood the pulse runs up to 118 and 130. If this increased*' 
pulsation could fairly be regarded as due 
to the physical agitations consequent upon 
nausea, or even to the emotional elements 
of the case, the fact that the pulse 
mounts alone while the temperature 
does not would not be of grave significance. 
Indeed it might be interpreted, as it has 
been by one of the surgeons, as a favorable 
indication, since only the combination of 
high pulse and increased temperature could 
be accepted as evidence of new complica- 
tions with the wound and the pus. But we 
apprehend that the President may be 
in greater trouble now than could 
be produced by the u-mation of 
1 any new pus cavities, and we inter- 
pret the constant divergence of the pulse 
and the temperature as one of the evidences 
of that greater trouble. Upon what does 
increased rapidity of the pulsation depend? 
Not merely nor mainly upon excitement of 
the heart, nor upon those inciden's, whether 
emotional or otherwise, that may be 
supposed to excite it. It is proved 
by Marey's investigations of the spe- 
cial physiology of this subject that 
the rapidity of the pulsation is pre- 
cisely in proportion to the reduced resist- 
ance that the blood current encounters in 
the arteries; and the lessening of this re- 
sistance is an incident of a great change in 
thequality of the blood itself. This is why 
great debility and a high, thin circulation 
always go together, for the blood that 
can get through the vessels and through 
the whole system of minute arterial radi- 
cles with least resistance is a blood that 
does not nourish the body, does not supply 
the means for a vigorous performance of the 
different functions, does not maintain the 
vitality. Perhaps this is the explanation of 
the fact observed by some surgeons that 
cases in which the pulse and temperature 
are habitually at variance are eases that die. 
It is impossible to exaggerate the gravity 
of the latest facts in the President's 
condition if they are thus to be understood 
as the first signs of the failure of the great 
vitality that has stood this fight so well. 
There is a limit to all endurance; and 
though a man has stood the distress and 
exhaustive discharges of a wound for more 
than forty days with insufficient alimentary 
support, that proceeding must end some- 
where. Nature not efficiently assisted will 
give way ; and we apprehend that the 
facts reported may be the first taps 
of warning in th .direction. The relation 
of this condition of the blood to the symp- 
toms from the stomach is that the brain is 
not properly nourished by such blood. 
Both the nausea and the vomiting are con- 
sequent. not upon dyspeptic events, but 
upon the irritable, excited, disordered con- 
dition of an anaemic brain. The inhibitory 
cerebral influence fails and the stomach is 
without the control always exercised in 
health. If the anaemic state of the brain is 
related to the facts in this way a staggering 
pulse may be looked for next, as the heart 
also feels the cerebral failure. • Senator Dawes, of Massachusetts, called shortly 
after the bulletin was issued, and was informed by 
Mr. Brown, "The situation is very grave." He 
added that the bulletin was not as encouraging as he 
bal^hoped it would be. The fact that the President's 
temperature was abnormal on the low side was not 
at all cheering. It seemed as though the 
President had not the strength to in- 
crease his temperature. He thought it 
, would be more hopeful if his temperature were 
i higher. The bulletin did not have a very cheerful 
or encouraging effect when its contents were known, 
and many feared that a repetition of yesterday's suf- 
ferings was -imminent. The question was freely 
Uked, Can he stand many more days like yesterday? 
and the answer came back that he could not. There 
was very little encouragement extracted from the 
fact that he had not vomited since early morning, 
for it was generally conceded that there was nothing 
upon his stomach to vomit, not even water, as all 
nourishment had been injected within the past 
forty-six hours. This was looked upon as a last re- 
tort and lessened the hopeful feeling to a great ex- 
tent. 
ANXIETY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 
The scene to-night about the White House was 
like a chapter out of the history of the first days of 
July. In tront of the iron gates the crowd gathered 
twenty and thirty ranks deep, and peered in at the 
white building under the trees. There the pe >ple 
stayed from early twilight until the steeple clock 
had struck eleven. Within, the artillery soldier on 
duty marched up and down with his sabre resting 
against his shoulder, and down the lawn the tents of 
the military force on duty about the house showed 
under the half light of evening and the glimmering 
sparks of the fireflies. Passing in through the main 
hall and up the stairs there was found a gre.it crowd 
of people, most of them newspaper correspondents, 
waiting tho appearance ot the evening bulletin. 
Even among these gentlemen the spirit of depres- 
sion that rests over Washington like a pall was ap- 
parent. they talked in low tones and shook their 
heads ominously. At one side ot the room the tall 
form of "Bob" Ingersoll towered over the heads of 
the gentlemen around him, among them Justice 
Harlan and General Sherman. They, too, spoke in 
half whispers, and the head of the army, although 
। expressing himself as confident that the President 
wotill yet weather the difficulties that surrounded 
him, shook his head apprehensively. Even 
more in the White House than on the 
streets the gravity of the situation is apparent. The 
clerks and officers of the household move about de- 
spondently and watch the opening of the door of the 
Cabinet chamber as if expecting that each time some 
fateful message would issue. 
DK. BLISS' UNOFFICIAL VIEWS. 
A representative of the Herald met Dr. Bliss at 
the Baltimore and and Potomac Depot to-night at 
ten minutes past ten o'clock, whither he bad gone 
to meet Dr. Hamilton. The train was twenty min 
utes behind time, which gave a chance for a long 
chat with the Doctor. 
"I would thank you, Doctor, to give me a full de- 
scription of the patient and how he has rested to- 
day." 
"Well I do not know that I can give you every 
detail. A nurse is always on duty by his bed- 
side. If he is sleeping we take off our shoes 
when approaching him in order to make 
no noise, as the floor is not carpeted. There 
being merely strips of carpet here and there. I 
went in his room, which is kept dark. Just before I 
came here and took his pulse. I have a stop watch, 
and find no trouble in taking his pulse and 
respiration in absence of light. For example, 
I first stop the watch in the consulting 
room, then after entering the sick-room and 
feeling at the wrist of the patient, I will start the 
watch and let it run a half minute, as near as I can 
j idge. Upon re-entering the consulting room, 
which is lighted, of course, I can calculate 
the pulsations readily. When I just left the 
patient his pulse was 114. This same 
plan is followed in taking respiration 
at night. If the President is asleep we endeavor to 
do this without waking him. I usually take the 
pulse and Dr. Reyburn the respiration. If he is 
awake we do not allow him to turn for fear of twist- 
ing the body in the centre and thereby wrench it. 
In handling him we arc also careful to avoid strain- 
ing him and turn him on the sheet." 
"How does the President look?" 
"When he was stricken down he weighed 210 
pounds. According to n>y best judgment he has 
losLsixty-five pounds since then." 
'Avhat is his facial appearance?" 
"He is a bearded man, and does not show much 
change in expression. Of course there is not that 
freshness present which he had in health." 
"Is his face sallow and eyes sunken?" 
"No, not sallow. He has a pallor that any man 
would show who had been so sick as he has been 
for the past six weeks. His eyes have not percepti- 
bly sunken." 
"Is there much change in the pulse, temperature 
and respiration since the last official bulletin was 
issued?" 
"His pulse has lowered six beats and is much 
stronger. The temperature and respiration are 
about the same." 
"Does he say much?" 
"Very little. Wo do notallow him to talk much. 
When we take his pulse, temperature and respira- 
tion, and he is^wake at the time, he always 
asks us what they are. He will say it Is 
better or worse than the last time, just as the case 
may bo. When he is awakg he lifts his hand vol- 
untarily in taking the pulse. He rarely makes 
comments on his condition." 
"How do you account for this continued high 
pulse?" 
"Of course it comes from weakness. Now the 
pulse is brought up a little by the febrile rise, prob- 
ably about six beats. I think his pulse in his pres- 
ent debility won't run free from fever much over 
from 110 to 115. I do not suppose it will be much 
below this until he recuperates somewhat." 
"What was the President's condition when you 
left him a few minutes since?" 
"Better than last night at the same time. We are 
more hopeful. Kis condition has been very even 
all day and a slight improvement apparent. We say 
he is, of course, in danger. Last night his condition 
was critical. I do not think that term could be ap- 
plied approximately to-night. He has this difficulty 
now to meet. He must supply the natural waste of 
the body and the suppurating surface, and he must 
soon partake of food to do this." 
"Does this irritability of stomach come from a 
lack of nervous force?'' 
"Of course, his general debility adds to the de- 
rangements and so does the wound. The predis- 
posing cause of this is Inability of the organs to 
digest and assimilate food, or, in other words, a 
treacherous stomach. Add to this the strain snd 
repeated shocks upon the system and you 
have the great causes of this stomach trouble. 
Here is an important fact in the President's case. 
The wound looks better to-day than at any time be- 
fore. With the aid of a light we can now look into 
the original cavity of the wound. It has a depth of 
three inches, and to-day for the first time we no- 
ticed it was filled with granulating surface and very 
little sloughing of the cellular tissue. The wound 
is discharging freely and unobstructed." 
"What is the color of the discharged matter?" 
"It is as nearly perfect as can be judged from odor 
and microscopic observation." Yesterday there 
was a difficulty in the secretion for a few hours, and 
th.it was one of the bad symptoms in the case. 
This is corrected to-day and the discharge very 
satisfactory." 
MEDICAL STATEMENT TO THE CABINET. 
This afternoon the Cabinet, lacking the presence 
of the Secretary of State, Mr. Blaine, held an in- 
formal meeting for the purpose of obtaining a 
special statement from the attending physicians as 
to the real and exact condition of the wound and a 
statement of what the chances were for recovery. 
Dr. Bliss spoke for the doctors and said that it 
was his belief, divested of the feeling of hope 
that was so natural for him to entertain, 
that the chances of life and death were equally 
divided. "I could not say more than that, gentle- 
men, if I wore to study the case for months. 1 hold 
now, as I have always, that the case is not so bad 
that hope should be abandoned." 
"Well," asked the Postmaster General, "would 
not such an opinion as that produce a bad effect on 
the patient if it were generally accepted as honest 
by those who surround his bedside?" 
"It is those of us who are about the sick chamber 
that must divest themselves of the belief that there 
is a danger in the air which outsiders profess to 
sniff in every breeze. They, of all others, must bo 
full of hope." 
The Doctor then went into a long and rather 
technical description of the wound and the places 
affected as shown by the recent eliminations. In 
doing this he gave no information not already re- 
ported in whole or in part in the Hebald in the 
interviews of its correspondents with Dr. Bliss 
and others of the surgeons. The Cabinet then dis- 
cussed the situation at much length, although in 
a desultory way, but, as one of the Cabinet offlors 
remarked, without coming to a conclusion in regard 
anything. 
As the evening slipped along and a cooler breeze 
came over the Potomac Flats the members of the 
Presidential household went out for a whiff of the pure i 
air bn the heights near the Soldiers'Home. General i 
Swaim and Colonel Corbin spun off behind a fast 
trotting gray, and Colonel Rockwell in a sober coach , 
with his own family and Miss Mollie Garfield went 
quietly over the same road. 
As the time for the evening bulletin drew nigh the 
streets began to fill with people and the crowd about I 
the grounds of the Executive Mansion grew larger i 
and larger. The utmost interest was manifested in | 
the bulletin soon to be issued, and not since the days ! 
next succeeding the shooting has there been such j 
a feeling of excitement; It was expected to 
be issued at half-past six o'clock, the regular 
hour, but half an hour later nothing had been 
heard from the consulting physicians. Shortly 
after seven o'clock Dr. Bliss appeared at the door . 
with the bulletin, bearing the time mark of "6:30." ' 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
[bx telegbaph to the herald.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, August 16-8:3U A. M. f 
The President was somewhat restless and vomited 
several times during the early part ot the night. , 
•Bince three o'clock this morning he has not vomited 
and has slept tranquilly most of the time. Nutri- 
tious enemata are successfully employed to sustain 
him. Altogether the symptoms appear less urgent 
than yesterday afternoon. At present his pulse is 
110, his temperature 98.6 and bis respiration 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President has been tranquil aud has not vom- 
ited since the morning bulletin, but has not yet 
tallied from the prostration of yesterday afternoon 
as much as was hoped. The enemata administered 
are, however, still retained. At present his pulse is 
114; temperature, 98.3; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Offieial.] 
Executive Mansion-7 P. M. 
The President's symptoms are still grave, yet he 
leems to have lost no ground during the day, and 
his condition, on the wnole, is rather better than 
yesterday. He has vomited but once during the 
afternoon. The enemata was retained. At present 
his pulse is 120; temperature, 98.9; xespiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Immediately after this bulletion was issued Dr. 
Bliss remarked to ^representative of the press that it 
was a conservative statement of the case, and is, 
generally speaking, an indication of improvement.] 
EXCITEMENT IN THE FORENOON. 
The feeling of anxiety and apprehension which 
prevailed yesterday has not materially subsided. 
There was considerable interest manifested as to 
What the contents of the morning bulletin would 
be. By eight o'clock a large crowd bad assembled 
around the entrance leading to the White House 
grounds. Dr. Agnew aud Attorney General MacVeagh 
arrived early and passed into the private portion of 
the mansion. They were soon followed by a num- 
ber of prominent officials, who were impatient to 
know what the morning had brought forth. There 
was evident encouragement derived from 
the result of the morning consulta- 
tion, yet the anxious aud doubtful feeling 
among many still continued. From that 
time during the entire day the crowd around the 
gates remained, closely questioning every one who 
had occasion to pass in or out of the grounds. By 
twelve o'clock there were several hundred people 
congregated around the entrance waiting eagerly to 
hear the contents of the noon bulletins. The at- 
tendance of visitors was unusually large for that 
part of the day. Many of the bureau officers were 
represented by subordinates, who were instructed 
to bring the intelligence as soon as it was received. 
Mr. Justice Harlan, who was present, displayed his 
Impatience by first going to the bookcase in Mr. 
Brown's room, taking out a volume of the 
Supreme Court reports, hastily glancing over it and 
thence to the newspaper files. Several times he 
asked the attendants wheu the bulletin would be 
out. He was informed that it was being prepared at 
that time and would be issued in a few moments. 
There was considerable delay in putting it out. It 
was one o'clock before Mr. Brown came from the 
consultation room with the long looked for docu- 
ment in his hand. It has been customary 
lo issue the afternoon bulletin about a quarter past 
twelve and date it half-past twelve. While the 
knxious crowd were waiting it was reported that the 
President's pulse had gone up to 118, and the doc- 
tors were waiting tor a more favorable test, hence 
the delay. With every fleeting minute the uneasi- 
ness of the watchers increased. Colonel Irish, Chief 
of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; Major 
Brock and a goodly number of newspaper cor- 
respondents were among the throng. The perfect 
itillness and looks of concern were particularly 
noticeable. 
SECRETARY BROWN'S REPORT. 
Mr. Brown, upon appearing with a small piece of 
paper in bis hand, was immediately surrounded by 
a large audience with pencil aud paper in hand, 
who transferred his words to p«per and hurried off 
to impart the unfavorable news to anxious friends. 
_NEW Y01$, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1881. As it was read there was a long drawn breath ot re- 
lief among the listeners, and. although the feeling 
prevailed that it was not what it should be, it was 
not as bad as it might be; in fact, the state- 
ment in its interpretation was that it there was no 
improvement at all there certainly was no retro- 
grade movement. 
du. Lincoln's opinions. 
Dr. N. S. Lincoln, one ot the original surgeons in I 
the case, discredits the impression that the present 1 
prostration results from nausea or the dyspeptic 
tendencies of the patient. He claims that if dys- | 
r-..... o a carinna complication it wnntH R' 
1 shown itself earlier in the illness, when the attend- 
ing physicians were not solicitous as to the kind of 
food given the invalid. Yet at this late day, when 
tile physicians for the past two weeks have been 
stu liens in avoiding the administration of any 
nourishment that was difficult to digest, when every 
precaution has been exercised in this direction, we 
are told that the President's old complaint, dyspepsia. 
' is responsible .for his present critical condition. 
What is therefore hard to understand is why this 
complication did not arise when it was not taken 
into account in the treatment, but should now in- 
terfere with the patient's convalescing after having 
been carefully guarded against. It is the history of 
the case that, as the patient has grown weaker, less 
importance has been attached to the wound. The 
idea of the ball doing any injury has almost been 
eliminated, and the present trouble is attributed 
to what might be called fulminating dyspepsia, 
a sudden and crushiug blow of nausea. 
Even the probability of the ball having 
worked any harm is entirely lost sight 
of by the attending physicians. The simple fact 
that the physicians admit they do not know the 
course of the ball or its present location, coupled 
with the additional fact that the incisions made did 
not afford the relief hoped for, proves conclusively 
that they cannot ignore the strong indication that 
the ball must be credited with working some seri- 
ous injury. Whore this injury is located no one 
can now tell. 
AN IMPORTANT OBGAN INJURED. 
The very fact of the great prostration, a depres- 
sion too marked and serious to result from a mero 
shock of the ball passing harmlessly into the 
abdomen, showed conclusively that some important 
organ had been injured. Indeed, the ex- 
amination of July 2d proved this, which 
was the only real examination ever made 
of the wound, and the only reliable one. All other 
opinions have been speculative. It would seem that 
the surgeons in making the two incisions were fol- 
lowing the course taken by the pus and not the ball. 
When the wound was fresh there was an effusion of 
blood about it, and about this suppuration occurred; 
| and as this matter made its way where the least re- 
sistance was offered it went down through the tis- 
sue, afterward appeared between the eleventh and 
twelfth ribs, where the first cutting was done, and 
again showing itself where the second incision was 
made below the twelfth rib. There was no evidence 
that pus was present in either place until the two 
openings were made. This pus was making its way to 
a point where it could escape without difficulty. It 
was perfectly proper to make the openings, but to 
suppose that the pus necessarily followed the course 
of the ball is not warranted. This is true beyond 
doubt, for there could be no bettor evidence of its 
minor consequence than the fact that the reliet fol- 
lowing the first cutting was slight while no reliet 
resulted from the last incision. In face of these 
facts he was of the opinion that an important or- 
gan had been injured bv the ball. Referring to the 
length of time a man could be sustained on enemas, 
the Doctor stated that it depended in a great measure 
upon his condition. If he were strong, and had not 
wasted away to any extent, ho might be nourished 
for five or six weeks in this manner. If, on the 
other band, he was in a weak and debilitated con- 
dition, the time was comparatively very brief. 
However.it frequently happens that a weak stomach 
can be sustained by this treatment until it will par- 
take of food naturally. 
A DISCOURAGING DIAGNOSIS. 
The following opinion of an eminent physician 
may be accepted as a correct diagnosis of the Presi- 
dent's case:- 
•■The condition of the President's stomach is not 
alone accountable for his extreme exhaustion and 
the critical state he has been in for the last few days. 
There is apparently some other difficulty present 
that would account for his unfavorable symptoms, 
although the irritability of his stomach is an 
unfavorable sign and would tend to produce ex- 
haustion ot itself. This state of his digestive organs 
has been overcome to a great extent by the nourish- 
ment being administered by enemata and still his 
condition is just as critical, which shows that his 
stomach alone is not the cause of his trouble. Re- 
garding the value of nutritive injections, persons 
may be kept alive and in good condition 
for some time. It is possible that all these 
symptoms, including that of the stomach, is due to 
pysemia or blood poisoning. The reason for this 
supposition is that some other cause must be looked > 
to for his sudden change other than that of his 
dyspeptic condition. To be sure he has had no 
well defined symptoms of the pymmic state, 
but I mention this for the want of other 
probable causes. Internal hemorrhage, it is 
true, would produce just such symptoms as 
are now apparent, but owing to the lapse 
of time since the shooting we could scarcely expect 
bleeding to occur. The symptoms are too grave for 
dyspepsia, and have occurred too frequently for the 
gradual exhaustion of suppuration. Danger of death 
from this cause is not likely to appear for a week or 
so yet. An especially unfavorable symptom in the 
President's case is his rapid pulse combined with no 
elevation of temperature. It would be better for 
him if he had a high fever coincidently with the 
rise of pulse. At present the President seems 
threatened with a collapse, and it be should not 
have the strength sufficient to bring about a reac- 
tion he could scarcely live more than two or throe 
days longer." 
Several surgeons of the navy in discussing the 
present aspects of the case this afternoon said that 
it was clear the effects of the wound were now com- 
plicated by typhoid malarial fever, and the sooner 
this fact was recognized and the treatment adapted 
to it the better. 
DR. BBOADUS SAYS ''MALARIA." 
Dr. Broadus, of Louisiana, who is visiting in this 
city, whose practice as a leading physician in his 
section covers a period of thirty years and who has 
been long and prominently identified with the man- 
agement of the Howard Association, was asked to- 
day, in view of what information had been given 
out as to the pathology of th® ease, to what he 
would ascribe the present unfavorable condition of 
the'President. In reply the Doctor said:- 
•'I have carefully examined everything bearing on 
the President's case that has been given to the pub- 
lic. Much of my experience as a physician has 
been gained in the malarious districts of the South, 
and it has been a line of my practice 
to which I have necessarily been compelled 
to devote much thought. More than once it has 
been suggested that malarial poisoning has been a 
prominent factor in the causes which have reduced 
the President to his present condition. Case after 
case of intermittent fever has occurred in the White 
House while he has been lying wounded within its 
walls, and the cases have been attributed to fatigue 
and prostration with nervous excitement. Who can 
have been as much fatigued and prostrated, and who 
can have had as much nervous excitement as the 
President himself? 
"Why, then, must we entertain the idea that he 
has been proof against this insidious morbific influ- 
ence? We nave been informed by the attending 
physicians that suppuration is always accompanied 
by fever and that this fever always comes on hi the 
atternoon. This information is sufficient and well 
tuned for the masses, but it Is not sufficient for the 
medical men of the country. Evidently such knowl- 
edge did not satisfy the physicians in attendance, 
for at different times they have administered quiuia, 
thus manifesting an apprehension that there might 
be malarial complications. Eor what other condi- 
tion of things could or should they have admin- 
istered this drug in what is supposed to be anti- 
periodic doses? 
''From this fact it is evident that these gentlemen 
have concluded that there was no malaria in the 
case because the quinia did not put an end to the 
tever thus periodically recurring, and it woull have 
been natural enough that this conclusion should 
obtain but for one or two things which seem to have 
been overlooked. First, as far as we can learn from 
printed reports, whether official or otherwise, the । 
doses of quinia have been altogether too small 
to justify the belief ' that its use has proved 
that there is . no malarial poisoning. Second, I 
admitting that the quinia was administered 
tor some other purpose than to break the periodicity 
of the fever, and that for weeks the suppurating 
process was sufficient to account for the atternoon 
access of fever and exacerbation of all the symp- 
toms, has it not been evident for several days that 
the regular march of the fever has been interrupted, 
and that the President, instead of being 'better' 
every morning, 'his fever having passed off during 
the night,' has really been having two paroxysms 
of fever every twenty-four hours? 
"If the official bulletins may be relied upon (and 
we do implicitly rely upon their truthfulness), it is 
plain that the Pre-ident's case has been complicated 
with intermittent fever, latterly if not from the be- 
ginning, and that now the malarial poisoning is 
manifesting itself in the form of a double quotidian, 
with gastric congestion. If in any one day of the 
past two or three weeks forty or fifty grains of 
quiuia have been administered to the President 
without having produced a decidedly beneficial im- 
pression we may safely admit that there have been 
no malarial complications. But with 'three grains 
three times a day' the experiment (for it was a:i 
experiment) has been a marriage between homoeop- 
athy and allopathy without issue." 
Dll. PURVIS ON NUTRITIOUS ENEMAS. 
Dr. Charles B. Purvis, one of the. original physi 
cians called in, when interviewed this evening in 
re'eren e to tbs efficacy of nutritious enemas to 
bring the President to a point where he can partake 
of nourishment naturally, said that it was the very 
last resort, but was very often attended with the 
results desired. He said it was a practice very gen- 
eral among physicians, and that he had recently 
kept a woman alive for five weeks by this treat- 
ment, until her stomach was restored to a healthy 
action and would digest food. He stated that 
he used as an enema beef tea, milk, brandy rubbed 
in eggs, and occasionally cod liver oil and 
also rubbed her with the oil. "However," continued 
the Doctor, "a great deal depends upon the condi- 
tion of the patient, whether the vitality is low. 
If the vitality is weak of course the food is not near 
so readily taken up by the bowels as in a more fa- 
vorable state." 
"Take, for instance, the low condition of the Pres- 
ident, whose vitality has been decreasing for six 
weeks past?" 
"With tlie tendency downward that has marked 
his case I am afraid the enemas will not avail much. 
Indeed, his bed sores indicate a very low state of vi- 
tality, and shows clearly that he is suffering ter- 
ribly for want of nourishment." 
"Do you attribute the downward tendency of the 
patient to want of appreciation on the part of the 
physicians to guard against the loss of vitality?" 
"I think the proper treatment to have been pursued 
would have been to have begun nutritious enemas 
so far as the rectum would have allowed when the 
first symptom of chronic gastritis was exhibited. 
This would have worked to the patient's advantage 
in addition to the small amount of food he retained 
naturally." 
MBS. EDSON STILL HOPEFUL. 
Mrs. Dr. Edson, the President's nurse, does not 
seem to share the gloom that prevails with some 
persons at the White House; on the contrary, she is 
actually hopeful. She was with the President until 
three o'clock this morning. She tneu took a rest 
until nine o'clock, and in a few minutes afterward 
she was at his bedside. This afternoon she left the 
room for fifteen minutes. Speaking about the Presi- 
dent she said: - 
"I am not as despondent as I was five weeks ago. 
This latest trouble comes from a rebellious and ex- 
ceedingly sensitive stomach. It can, in my judg- 
ment, be conquered, though, of course.it will take 
time. We will do it by giving the stomach absolute 
rest. This will strengthen it so that it can perform 
its duty. Hurrying it up is out of the question. Wo 
can assist but not dictate." 
"You are certain the wound is not the cause of the 
trouble?" 
"Absolutely certain that the President was a trifle 
bilious, and this is what started the revolt against 
nourishment. That bile has now been thrown off 
and the stomach is getting to be itself again." 
"Then you don't think he is in danger?" 
"Ob, yes, be is in some danger, for we have to deal 
with a very sensitive stomach. But really the dan- 
ger is not as much, m my judgment, as some sup- 
pose it is. Should the stomach succumb for two or 
three days there will be a great deal of danger, but 
there is not so much now. Still there is no telling 
what change an hour will make. I will remain with 
the President till nearly daylight in the morning. 
If there 16 no attempt to give him nourishment the 
stomacb will finally get quiet. The wound is doing 
excellently." 
ATTORNEY GENERAL MACVEAGH QUESTIONED. 
The Attorney General has been reported as greatly 
discouraged at the President's condition and as not 
taking a very cheerful view of the case tor some 
time past. He says that is a mistake. "I admit I 
was discouraged, and, to a considerable extent, dis- 
heartened at the intelligence received yesterday, just 
the same as almost every other citizen was. The in- 
dications were rather unfavorable you know." 
"It was intimated that you derived certain infor- 
mation from the consulting surgeons, while they 
have been your guests, that has not been as cheerful 
and encouraging as would strengthen your belief in 
the President's ultimate recovery." 
"Such is not the case. Drs. Agnew and Hamilton 
are friends of ours, and we seldom talk to them on 
the subject. We derived all our information from 
the bulletins. The doctors may talk among them- 
selves, but it is not before the family." 
"General, are you f eeling more hopeful to-day than 
you were yesterday?" 
"Not any less so, I assure you. There has been a 
little febrile rise in the President's temperature 
since the afternoon bulletin, and that is a very good 
sign." 
"It is the opinion of a great many that the Presi- 
dent is so weak and exhausted that he has not suffi- 
cient vitality to produce a rise in his temperature." 
"A layman's opinion on that subject is utterly 
worthless. Your source of information about the 
facts is the same as mine. AH else is idle specula- 
tion." 
LATH NEWS FROM THE SICK ROOM. 
At eleven o'clock Private Secretary Brown paid his 
last visit for the evening to the President's room. 
Up to that hour there had been no recurrence of the 
spells of vomiting, and the President's pulse had 
fallen somewhat lower than 114-the figures when last counted at ten o'clock. His respiration ap- 
peared to be free and natural, his temperature about 
normal, and ba was sleeping quietly without the 
aid ot narcotics. 
Dr. Hamilton was met upon his arrival at ten 
o'clock by Dr. Bliss, and in view of the change for 
the better in the President's condition he decided 
not to go to the White House, but was driven at ! 
once to the residence of Attorney General AiacVeagh. 
Dr. Agnew has not yet determined when he will 
leave the city, but it is probable that he will remain 
here until to-morrow evening, perhaps longer, ac 
cording to the changes that may occur in the Presi- 
dent's condition to-morrow. 
UNOFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE STATEMENTS. 
Executive Mansion-12:15 P. M. । 
Dr. Bliss entered Uis Executive Mansion a few | 
moments ago to attend the noon examination. Upon | 
oeing approached by a representative of the press 
he said, in a general way, that he considered the 
patient better than yesterday, whereupon the fol- 
lowing dialogue ensued: - 
Rkpokteb-Well, Doctor, what are the real 
chances? 
Bliss-The chances are indefinite. 1 have not 
seen the patient for an hour or so, but he was I 
better than yesterday when I last saw him, and, of 
course, we take encour gement from that. 
Rkpobteb- The midday examination will be very 
important, will it not? 
Bliss-Ob. yes. For instance, if the temperature 
should fail much below the normal point, the case 
would look quite b .dly, particularly so if the pulse 
should rise. 
Rkpobteb-Do you expect this? 
Bliss-No, we do not; but, of course, we cannot 
predict with any degree of certainty what will be 
the result. 
Repobteb-You do not give the case up, then? 
Bliss (emphatically)-No, no; we do not give it up. 
Rkpobteb-Have any intimations been given the 
family to prepare for tne worst? 
Bliss-No, sir. It hasn't come to that. 
The Doctor then proceeded to the sick chamber, 
appearing perfeetly calm and composed. 
Executive Mansion-1:15 P. M. 
Dr. Reyburn, as ne was leaving the White House, 
was asked it he considered the half-past twelve bul- 
letin as indicating a cause tor alarm. He replied:- 
•'There is no perceptible change in the President's 
condition since morning." 
DISCOURAGING INDICATIONS. 
Executive Mansion-2:30 P. M. 
The last bulletin has cast a gloom over the at- 
taches ot the Executive Mansion, and the greatest 
anxiety prevails. The change which has occurred 
is even noticeable in the expression and conversation 
I ot Private Secretary Brown, who has from the lirst 
J entertained one of the most sanguine opinions that 
| the President would recover. Secretary liunt, when 
asked, a few minutes ago, if he could say anything 
favorable regarding the present condition of the 
patient, said, in a tone which showed that he 
was deeply affected, that there was absolutely 
nothing to say ; that everything that could be sa.d 
was now visible from the outside. The extreme 
quiet which pervades the Mansion, even in the 
offices occupied by Hie clerical force, is almost op- 
pressive. Conversations are carried on in mono- 
tones, and a general feeling of anxiety and actual 
alarm is plainly perceptible. The most sanguine 
are apparently fast losing hope, and callers may be 
seen leaving the Mansion with a look of despair 
upon their countenances. 
Dr. Bliss, late this afternoon, said that he felt 
confident that the wound was doing as well as it 
possibly could, and that it had healed to within 
about three inches of the mouth of the last inci- 
sion. He feared no further trouble from the wound, 
am. said:-"The only thing to be overcome now is 
the irritability of the patient's stomach, which we 
are do*ng our best to master. That is all 1 have to 
say." < 
SENDING THE NEWS TO EUROPE. 
Executive Mansion-2:45 P. M. 
Assistant Secretary of state Hitt, who just came 
from the private part ot the house, was asked if he 
had any favorablenews to communicate, in response 
to which lie s lid :-"I am very sorry that I have not. 
in f »ct, I know nothing of the late condition of the 
patient. Although I have been inside the surgeons 
to d me nothing important." Mr. Hitt has sent the 
following cablegram:- 
Lowell, Minister, London: - 
The President's condition causes groat anxiety. 
RestlefS and vomited early part of night. Tranquil 
to-day, but not rallied as much as hoped. At 12:30 
pulse 114; temperature, 99.3; respiration, 18. 
Stomach refuses nourishment. 
HITT, Acting Secretary. 
The following cablegram was received by the Brit- . 
ish Legation this afternoon: - 
Drummond, British Legation, Washington:- 
Queen sorry for President's relapse. Inquires 
after him. PONSONBY, Osborne. 
REASSURING THE CABINET. 
Executive Mansion, An glut 16-5:10 P. M. 
1 he consultation ot the Cabinet to-day was with 
regard to the President's condition. It was a pre- 
arranged a Hair and was for the purpose ot hearing 
in a body a statement as to the probable outcome 
of the present crisis from one of the attending sur- 
geons. Immediately after the members assembled 
Dr. Bliss was summoned and explained the situa- 
tion in substantially the same manner as he had 
before during the day. He reassured the Cabinet to 
such an extent that the meeting had no official 
significance, and the members lei t the mansion about 
five o'clock, in apparently better spirits. 
Assistant Secretary Hitt says he has not heard 
that Secretary Blaine has started for Washington, 
and cannot say when he will arrive. There is at 
this hour a more hopeful feeling at the While House. 
too much ice water. 
Executive Mansion-10 P. M. 
The most sanguine were forced to yield to the 
universal indications during the early afternoon, 
but previous to the issuance of the seven o'clock 
bulletin the expressions of Dr. Bliss had become 
quite well known and iheir effect was very notice- 
able. The one good feature of the bulletin is the 
rise in temperature, which is six-tenths of a degree 
higher than it was at noon and five-tenths above 
normal, which is an indication that there is still 
some material left, however slight, for the fever to 
work upon. The vomiting referred to in the official 
bulletin is explained to have been vorv slight, and 
was the result of the patient's drinking ice water. 
It appears that after drinking he expressed a desire 
to bo turned upon bls side, and the d sturbance of 
his body is supposed to h»ve irrita ed the stomach 
again, which is row extremely weak. The only 
nourish meet the patient has had to-day lias 
been by means ot enemata, which, as shown 
by the bulletin, have been retained. While 
the evening bulletin has had the effect 
ot warding orf all apprehensions of a crisis during 
the night there is still grave tear that the morn- 
ing will not bring much encouragement, owing to 
the extremely debilitated condition ot the patient. 
It has been impossible to ascertain anything at all 
from the sick room since the evening bulletin was 
issued. This is considered an unfavorable indica- 
tion, as the surgeons usually have been quite com- 
municative-at least to Cabinet officers. A member 
of the Cabinet just said that up to this hour noth- 
ing had been learned from tne surgeons since the 
bulletin was issued. 
Assistant Secretary Hitt says he has not yet 
heard when Secretary Blaine will arrive. It is 
understood to be a fact, however, that he is on his 
way now. 
Executive Mansion-10:15 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss just came from the sick room, on his 
wav to the depot to meet Dr. Hamilton, wnen the 
following conversation occurred between several re- 
porters and himself: - 
"How is the President now?" was asked of him. 
"No worse; he is asleep now." 
"Do you feel as confident, as two hours ago?" 
"Yes; I feel a little better." 
"Has any morphia been administered thia even- 
ing?" 
"None at all." 
"Has there been any vomiting this evening?" 
"None at all." 
"Are the enemataretained?" 
••Yes." 
"And how much nourishment is thus retained?" 
"Enough to keep him going until the stomach 
can regain its strength?" 
Then you feel that it will do so?" 
"I hope so." 
•'You feel encouraged since the bulletin was 
issued?" 
"I think we all do." 
Dr. Bliss also stated that he thought from a casual 
examination made a few minutes previous that the 
President's pulse was about 114, his temperature 
about 98.6 or slightly above normal, and his respira- 
tion 18 or 19. • 
11 P. M. 
The Mansion has just been closed for the night 
and all the visitors have dispersed. Secretary 
Brown has returned from the surgeons' quarters 
and reports the President sleeping quietly at this 
hour; also that his pulse has grown less frequent 
within the last two hours, and that no vomiting has 
occurred since four P. M. 
The following cablegram was sent to-night;- 
Lowki.l, Minister, London*:- 
Since noon slight rise in temperature. Has 
vomited but once during afternoon. Nourishment 
by enemata retained. Pulse now, seven P. M., 120; 
temperature, 98.9; respiration, 19. His condition 
on the whole rather better than yesterday. 
HITT, Acting Secretary. 
Condition of the President. 
In proportion to the meigreness of the 
official bulletins is apparently the abund- 
ance of tire crop of rumors which give ex- 
travagant statements of the progress of the 
case. Although there may be small foun- 
dation for some of the stories that' involve 
details not touched in the official reports 
they all indicate the anxiety and eagerness 
of the people to hear and canvass every par- 
ticular. In the details of the bulletins 
there i ; no comfort for the popular sympa- 
thy. The pu.se keeps its bad pace, the 
usual channels of nutrition do not act, and 
the method resorted to to sustain the 
patient's vital forces, while a good expe- 
dient for an occasional extremity, may at 
any moment fail entirely. Yet the support 
thus administered did seem for a moment 
yesterday to have alleviated, though ever 
so little, the bad symptoms. It is not per- 
ceptible, however, how the dreadfully worn 
patient is to rally from his well nigh hope- 
less condition. as the case may be, and then it is seen what the' 
night has brought forth. This morning the 
wound was found to be in good condition, ex- 
cept that the exudation of pus was scarcely 
perceptible, but there was little or no inflammation. 
The enemata was given as usual, and when the 
President had been lifted from the position he had 
occupied all night and the bed had been somewhat 
freshened by beating the pillows, he said he was 
quite comfortable, speaking in a whisper, for he 
cannot raise his voice above a breath. 
THE CAPITAL FEVERISH. 
By this hour the anxiety in the city began to 
manifest itself. Outside the gates a crowd of a thou- 
sand people or more had gathered in eager fear 
for the result of the morning consultation, but 
anxious withal to receive it. Its words when it ar 
rived brought some hope, although they were, in- 
deed, cheerless enough, because they said but little 
from which to draw a grain of comfort. 
"His general condition appears more hopeful than 
at this time yesterday," and "He passed a tranquil 
night, sleeping most of the time." "Sleeping! why, 
of course he is sleeping. He can't do anything 
else. And as for being tranquil, why he 
can't help himself," growled a pessimist, who 
waited at the gate lor the news, and then stumped 
off to hie desk among the cash bags of Uncle Sam 
in the Treasury Department. 
HOPE GAINS GBOUND. 
Notwithstanding the dissatisfied feeling, which 
so generally prevailed because of the vague infor- 
mation contained in the bulletin, it was not 
long before the apprehension of an immediate 
fatal ending began to lift. The personal gossip of 
the White House began to come into the streets, and 
then Guiteau's mad act in the jail by assaulting his 
keeper acted as a counter excitement. The sun got 
higher, but the air still remained cool and all these 
influences had their soothing effect upon the excite, 
ment. At noon Dr. Bliss said the President was 
better beyond a doubt, and Dr. Agnew, who fights 
very clear of being brought to express his 
views, indirectly but nevertheless forcibly, in- 
dorsed the statement. Dr. Boynton also said that 
he was encouraged and that the case was not hope- 
less by any means. At half-past twelve the noon 
bulletin was Issued and great encouragement was 
drawn from the fact that the nutritive enemata was 
retained and that there had been no vomiting up to 
that hour. For the elapsed forty hours life had 
been entirely sustained by the use of the injections, 
the only thing that passed the President's lips in 
that time being occasionally a little cracked ice and 
sometimes a little water, a teaspoonful and no 
more. 
BEEF EXTRACT ADMININTERED NATURALLY. 
It was however determined, as just noted above, 
to give him some food, and one drachm of fluid ex- 
tract of beef, being placed in a cup and cooled by im- 
mersing the cup almost to its top in a basin of ice 
water, was offered him. The result was anxiously 
watched for. A return of the vomiting would have 
been deemed one of the most serious aspects the 
case could have assumed. For a time the Presi- 
dent's stomach appeared to be uneasy, and twice 
or thrice there was an interior retching, which 
seemed to be the preparatory protest of the stom- 
ach before violently rejecting what was given it. 
Then he lay still and presently slept soundly. At 
forty minutes past one, just an hour afterward, the 
same amount and kind of food was prepared as be- 
fore and given him. as Dr. Bliss brought it he 
said to the President, referring to the previous 
offering: - 
"Kept it down?" 
"Yes," was the triumphant, although whispered, 
reply. 
"Beady for more?" 
"Oh, yes, indeed." 
THE SUBGEONS WATCHING THEIR EXPERIMENT. 
In administering this food all the attending as 
well as the two consulting surgeons were present, 
and when the President had fallen asleep his waking 
was waited for with the deepest anxiety. It was a 
critical time in the case, for if vomiting ensued the 
worst was at hind. On the contrary, if the stomach 
NEW YORK HERALD 
and before, in fact within ten days after 
the shooting, he ate meat and gruel and manifested 
a fine appetite for milk and other good substantial 
articles of food. This food was given him after 
much hesitation and consultation among the doc- 
tors. The result of the trial was so satisfactory 1 
that they relaxed somewhat the severity of ordinary ! 
professional reticence and spoke of the eminent 
sufferer's condition with comparative freedom, 
but declined to discuss the history of the 
treatment of his case. To-day the wind has blown 
cool and fresh down the valley of the Potomac, 
driving away the miasmatic odors that float about 
and poison the air near the White House, and there 
is a relief from the terrible heat which has rested 
upon the capital for weeks. To this fact may be 
attributed in some measure the improvement, 
small as it Is, in the President's condition during 
the early hours of the day. 
MES. GARFIELD AT THE BEDSIDE. 
In the morning he was very weak, and when 
his wife came in to make her morning visit 
he could barely move the pale, thin 
hand that lay over the counterpane in 
recognition of her presence. Ordinarily, he is 
awake and waiting for her coming, and extends his 
hands to greet her when she leans over and kisses 
him on the brow. To-day a caressing motion of 
the white fingers and a smile that flitted over the 
weary face was the response to her wifely greeting. 
These morning visits have hitherto been quite long 
ones, and when Mrs. Garfield came in as sho 
invariably did her husband was awake- 
somewhere about sunrise. She remained for 
some time, aiding the nurse in putting 
the room to rights, smoothing the pil- 
low and washing the patient's hands and face. 
In the performance of these duties she has, how 
ever, awakened the anxieties of the President be- 
cause she will again be a mother in November. In- 
! deed, ever since Mrs. Garfield's return from Long 
। Branch on the eventful 2d of July, the day the 
, shooting took place, her health has been far from 
good; but with the Spartan resolution which she 
seems to possess in common with her husband, 
she has kept in good spirits, remaining the watchful, 
helpful wife, and exciting anew the admiration that 
her friends have always had for her lovely charac- 
ter. It is, therefore, in accordance with her hus- 
band's wish tha^she does not spend as much time 
in the sick chamber as she used to, and this morn- 
ing her visit was very brief. 
THE GLEAM OF HOPE AT MOBNING. 
Shortly after six o'clock the physicians arrived io 
hold their regular morning consultation. Dr. 
Agnew, in company with Attorney General 
McVeagh, coming on foot, and Dr. Hamil- 
ton with Dr. Bliss in the latter's buggy. The 
other doctors were already there. The ex- 
amination, so they briefly reported independently 
of the bulletin, revealed a gratifying change for the 
better, not so marked perhaps in itself as in the 
promise of future improvement. During the night 
the President had remained in about the same con- 
dition as he was at the time of issuing the late bul- 
letin. Toward the morning, however, the pulse, 
which had been as high as 121 six hours before, be- 
gan to fall and at half-past six it was at 109. As a 
natural result of the presence of the doc- 
tors and the excitement attendant thereon 
it rose a little and then again fell, and was recorded 
at the hour of half-past eight o'clock at 110, with 
the temperature 98.3 and respiration 19. These 
figures in themselves were sufficient to give a little 
encouragement, but the President's own feelings of 
hopefulness conduced almost as much to that 
result. 
THE PRESIDENT'S STOUT HEART. 
He smiled in salutation to his physicians, and so 
far as bis feebleness would permit indicated that his 
courage was good, even though the body 
was very weak. These morning examinations 
are usually the most thorough that are made in the 
day, although all of them are, of course, carefully 
conducted and are as thorough as necessary; but it 
is at these that the wound receives its first dressing 
after twelve hours of development for good or bad, 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
TAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW tflRK, THURSDAY. AUHUST IS, 1881 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEBALD. 1 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, August 17-8:30 A. M.) 
The President has passed a tranquil night, sleep- 
ing most of the time. He continues to retain the 
nutritive enemata, and has not vomited since the 
last bulletin. His general condition appears more 
hopeful than at this time yesterday. Pulse, 110; 
temperature, 98.3; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President's condition has not materially 
changed since the last bulletin. He has been tran- 
quil and has slept some, has not vomited and the 
nutritive enemata are still retained. Pulse, 112; 
temperature, 98.7; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President's condition is even better than it 
was this morning. There has been no vomiting 
during the day and the enemata continue to be re- 
tained. Moreover, a teaspoonful of beef extract has 
been twice administered by the mouth and not re- 
jected, and small quantities of water swallowed from 
time to time excite no nausea. The wound continues 
to do well. At present his pulse is 112, temperature, 
B8.8; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
QUEEN VICTORIA TO MRS. GARFIELD. 
The following cablegram was received here this 
afternoon:- 
To Mrs. Garfield, Washington, United States:- 
I am most anxious to know how the President is 
to-day, and to express my deep sympathy with you 
both. THE QUEEN, 
. Osborne. 
MRS. GARFIELD'S REPLY. 
The following reply was sent:- 
Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Osborne, Eng, 
land:- 
Your Majesty's kind inquiry finds the President's 
condition changed for the better. In the judgment 
of his medical advisers there is strong hope of his 
recovery. His mind is entirely clear, and Your Ma- 
jesty's kind expressions of sympathy are most 
grateful to him, as they are gratefully acknowledged 
by me. LUCRETIA R. GARFIELD. 
SECRETARY BLAINE'S REPORTS. 
At five o'clock this afternoon Secretary Blaine 
Bent the following:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
At halt-past tour P. M. the physicians report the 
President as in better condition than at any time 
during the past forty-eight hours. He has retained a 
very small quantity of liquid food in his stomach. 
Hope is somewhat revived. BLAINE, Secretary. 
The following was sent to-night:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
At half-past ten o'clock to-night the President's 
condition has not essentially changed. His situa- 
tion, though more hopeful than yesterday or the 
day before, is still extremely critical, and fills every 
one with deep anxiety. BLAINE, Secretary. 
A DAY BEGUN WITH HOPE. 
The President showed signs of improvement 
to-day. As a result there were congratulations and 
rejoicing about the White House. How serious his 
condition is, however, cannot be more forcibly illus- 
trated than by the fact that this rejoicing sprung 
from the fact that he was able to take and 
retain upon his stomach two drachms- 
about a tablespoonful-only of Liebeg's extract 
of beef cooled with ice. Two weeks ago retained the food that had been given the patient 
the most favorable results of gaining strength might 
be predicated. The vomiting might be expected at 
Ihe time of the President's waking from his sleep 
but when he was aroused his stomach had no 
qualm*, and the next portion of food he accepted 
with some show of relish. From the degree of im- 
whinh the doctors attach to the food and 
the President's stomach it may be thought this is 
the chief difficulty which they have to encounter 
and one in comparison with which the wound is an 
unimportant matter. Such is indeed the fact with 
regard to the two troubles with which the President 
is combating. Dr. Hamilton is reported to have 
said that the serious fact in the case 
is, and tne one from which apprehension ot a 
serious nature must continue to arise, that the 
President has long been a victim of dyspepsia, and 
that it is very, very hard to successfully cope with 
any malaay allied with it for dyspepsia. He knew 
but one method of cure, and that was abstaining 
from food, and that the distinguished patient should 
not be allowed to do. After the President's 
stomach had been tested with the second portion 
of extract of beef it was decided not to give 
him any more at present, and possibly no more 
, until it had been thoroughly digested. Then Dr. 
Bliss came out from the sick chamber and was quite 
communicative. He said that to-day there were no 
symptoms of blood poisoning-not one, in fact, 
that could be tortured into the appearance of a 
symptom. Further than that he would reiterate 
what he bad previously said-that the low condition 
of the patient was due entirely to the condition of 
the stomach. Now that it had retained the small 
quantity of food that had been placed upon it he 
looked, as did his professional associates, for this 
trouble to quickly succumb to the course of treat- 
ment that had been entered upon. 
IMPROVEMENT AT SIX O'CLOCK. 
From two o'clock until five o'clock, when the sur- 
geons reassembled at the White House, the President 
rested on in comparative comfort. He has not ex- 
perienced any pain, except now and again a sharp 
twinge of pain in his feet, and, save from exhaus- 
tion, he does not suffer. The afternoon remained 
very cool and pleasant, and as the sun went down 
the air was almost chilly. He asked them by point- 
ing to the windows to close them and it was done, 
after which he slept again until the physicians came 
into the room. He was then, as he had been during 
the morning, quite cheerful; but even while they 
were present he dozed into sleep, awaking with a 
start and seeming surprised at the presence of the 
doctors. He was not in the leist flighty, 
however, and soon recognized the fact that 
he had been asleep but a few minutes, in fact. The 
examination was soon made, however, and the phy- 
sicians withdrew to frame the most hopeful bulletin 
of the day. It presented that the condition of the 
patient was even more favorable than in the morn- 
ing-a very unusual thing-for in the evening the 
febrile rise is looked for, and that there had been no 
vomiting, and the wound was doing well. This 
done the physicians soon left the White House, ex- 
cept Dr. Heyburn, who keeps the night watch. 
SECRETARY BLAINE RETURNED. 
Secretary Blaine arrived on the limited express at 
four o'clock and was met at the depot by Secretary 
of War Lincoln, who drove with him at once to the 
White House, where he was joined presently by 
Assistant Secretary Hitt. There he met Drs. Boynton 
and Barnes, who were at the time in the Executive 
Mansion, and after a short conversation with them, 
which relieved his mind very much, he said, he 
went to the Arlington Hotel and took up his quarters 
there temporarily. He said that he had left 
Augusta, Me., at three o'clock yesterday and 
travelled with the utmost celerity, barely making 
the connection with the south bound train at New 
York in the morning. Now he will stay, however, 
until the danger is over or the end comes. He at 
once indited a despatch to Minister Lowell, and in 
the evening returned again to the White House, 
where he met and had a long conversation with Mrs. 
Garfield. 
A HOPELESS CABINET. 
Ina conversation with Postmaster General James 
to-day, and Second Assistant Postmaster General 
Elmer, the former said yesterday, for the first time, 
he gave up hope and thought perhaps the end had 
come. Now, however, he was reassured, and he 
believed firmly that the President would get better. 
It is pretty generally credited that yesterday the 
■ members of the Cabinet were told by the physicians 
that the President was on the verge ot death, and 
that it was in consequence of this information that 
the extraordinary Cabinet meeting held at four 
o'clock was assembled. To this fact, however, the 
Postmaster General did not refer in the short 
interview I had with him. To-uight all the 
members of the Cabinet remained at the 
White House until a late hour. The second 
subject of importance in their informal councils 
was the behavior of Guiteau in the prison and the 
terrible struggle he had with one of the guard 
while the others were steeping. Attorney General 
MacVeagh was able to give an official statement of 
the facts, as told elsewhere. 
EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON. 
In the city to-day and to-night there has been 
much excitement, reminding one of the earlier 
days of the attempted tragedy. The local news- 
papers, both morning and evening, have issued 
extra sheets at frequent intervals and whenever the 
least morsel of news could be gleaned at the Execu- 
tive Mansion. At eleven o'clock to-night the news- 
boys are crying the late editions containing the 
meagre statement that the President is sleeping 
comfortably. Indeed the capital city is more 
perturbed than it has been at any time since 
the shooting. At the White House to-night every- 
thing is quiet, although the strain of deep anxiety 
is apparent in every surrounding and on every 
hand. The private secretary's office is filled with 
newspaper correspondents, who have been arriving 
from every direction for the last few days, and the 
deepest concern for the morrow is manifest on 
every hand. In the hotels and street corners the 
situation is canvassed with the same interest as 
marked the early days in the history of the case. 
MESSRS. AGNEW AND HAMILTON TO REMAIN AT HAND. 
It is thought that neither of the consulting sur- 
geons, Dr. Hamilton or Agnew, will leave the city 
until a decisive change takes place in the Pres- 
ident's condition--in fact, until he shall 
either succumb to the terrible pressure that 
would long ago have extinguished the life light of 
a weaker man, or shall bi on the straight road to re- 
covery with no places before him at which to turn 
aside and with no possibility of turning back. 
Since the last danger has been imminent the Gar- 
field boys, Harry and Jimmie, and young Don Rock- 
well, who is their almost constant companion, have 
ceased their studies. Miss Mollie Garfield has come 
back to the White House and remains with her 
mother, occasionally going to take a drive in the 
cool of the evening. This she did to-night in com- 
pany with Colonel Rockwell's family. 
Mrs. Garfield, the President's mother, remains in 
Ohio, but ready to start for her son's bed at a mo- 
ment's notice. It has been arranged, however, that 
she shall not be summoned until the last moment, 
as her health is now very poor, and besides that she 
has charge of the President's two youngest sons, 
Abram and Irving, who remain with her, but will 
come on at the moment of the last extremity. 
DB. BOYNTON'S STATEMENT. 
Dr. Boynton, the President's family physician, in 
conversaion to-night said the President's condition 
was as good as could be hoped for under the circum- 
stances; that there was a perceptible steady im- 
provement, though the process was, of course, very 
slow. 
"It is not true that the President vomited this 
afternoon. He was given a teaspoontul of beef tea 
late in the forenoon, and when another teaspoonful 
was administered an hour and a half later it caused 
nausea, but I can say positively that the Presi- 
dent did not vomit. The President does not 
show any desire for nourishment. Anything like 
food is repulsive to him. He turns from it." 
"Do you think the physicians will attempt to give 
him more nourishment to-night and to-morrow?" 
"They have concluded not to offer him anything 
until his stomach is in a condition to take it. They 
propose to continue the enemata until they tone 
the stomach up to a point where the President can 
partake of food naturally without any distress re- 
sulting therefrom." 
"Are the doctors satisfied with the progress made 
by the President in the last twenty-four hours?" 
"The patient has improved as much as they could 
reasonably expect for the past thirty-six hours." 
"Has the President expressed himself as feeling 
better since yesterday?" 
"I asked him myself to-day if he did not feel 
stronger, and he replied that he did." 
NO TROUBLE WITH ICE WATER. 
"How much water is administered to him. Doc- 
tor ?" 
"Every time he awakens he is given three tea- 
spoonfuls of water and a small piece of ice. If he 
is awake for a long period this is repeated at proper 
intervals. I know all about this, for I attend to that 
duty myself." 
"Does the water assimilate readily?" 
"Perfectly. The water and the ice cause him no 
trouble whatever." 
"How is the wound coming on?" 
"Splendidly. It has progressed more favorably 
within the past two days than it has for any week 
during the illness. There is no difficulty in that 
direction." 
"Then the great objective point is to correct the 
disorder at the stomach?" 
"Exactly. The physicians feel that if they over- 
come this stomach trouble the President will con- 
valesce rapidly and there will be no further re- 
lapses." 
"Of course Mrs. Garfield is again reconciled and 
confident?" 
"Oh! yes; she is again in good spirits. She felt 
more anxiety for the past two days than at any 
other period since the President was shot." 
"The physicians are doubtless quite confident to- 
night in face of the favorable day passed by their 
patient?" 
•'They are hopeful. Of course the President is 
not out of danger, and will not be until the disar- 
rangement of the stomach is satisfactorily mended." 
MBS. EDSON AND MBS. GASFIELD. 
Mrs. Dr. Elson, the President's nurse, continues 
hopeful. In speaking of the case to-day she said:- 
"Really, I have nothing new to say. I told von yes- 
terday that I was hopeful and thought that this 
stomach trouble could be bridged over. Others then 
thought differently, but to-day proved I was right. 
All I can say now is that I am more confident than 
ever. The President has had several bad spells 
since he was shot, but none of these spells 
lasted more than three days. I felt satisfied that 
this would not last any longer. He has done nicely 
to-day so far, and we were much pleased to hear him 
say he relished the beef extract we gave him about 
noon. The stomach did not reject it. That which 
was subsequently given him was also retained. We 
hope by careful treatment to get his stomach strong 
again and have every reason to believe we will suc- 
ceed." 
"Was Mrs. Garfield alarmed much in the past 
three days?" 
"I don't think she was affected as much in that 
way as during the other bad spells he has had. I 
felt so thoroughly convinced that the President 
would pull through it that I convinced her that the 
danger was not as great as some friends appre- 
hended." 
"Are there any malarial symptoms at the bottom 
of this last relapse?" 
"We do not think there are, though I can under- 
stand how physicians who are not on the Spot can 
honestly think so. Mrs. Garfield called my atten- 
tion to the fact yesterday, that none of those about 
the White House who have suffered from malarial 
attacks slept there. They all slept in other parts of 
the city. Then again no one who does sleep in the 
White House has suffered in the least 
from malaria. This and other reasons convinces 
me that malaria has played no part in the Presi- 
dent's illness. The wound has done well all along. 
Much of the soreness and pain has disappeared. 
Dr. Hamilton was much pleased with the appear- 
ance of the wound to-day, and so told the President. 
The President remains perfectly quiet, and has 
talked but very little for several days. He said he 
felt much better this afternoon." 
Mrs. Edson referred to the fact that though one or 
two of the doctors and many of the employes of the 
Executive Mansion had suffered somewhat from the 
strain that had been on them, Mrs. Garfield and her- 
self, the only women who had been allowed in the 
sick room, and who had spent more hours there 
than all others, were as well to-day as when the 
strain on their energies had begun. Mrs. Garfield 
has improved steadily, and to-day looked even better 
than when she came to the White House from Long 
Branch. 
CONTINUED PUBLIC EXCITEMENT. 
The feeling is rapidly gaining ground that the 
President's critical condition is attributable to 
something more than mere dyspepsia, and the gen- 
eral public marvel at the surgeons not being able to 
discover the cause of the irritation, or, if they have, 
why it has not been made known. Among those 
present to learn the result of the afternoon examina- 
tion were Mr. Justice Harlan, Colonel Irish, General 
Sturgis, Major Bruck and several other officials. 
There was quite a largo crowd congregated 
around the entrance to the President's grounds 
and at the corner of Fifteenth street and New York 
avenue to receive the contents of the afternoon bul- 
letin, and upon learning the purport they gradually 
dispersed. During yesterday and to-day very little 
work has been accomplished in the various execu- 
tive departments, owing to the nervous and excited 
condition of the employSs. A prominent official of 
the Treasury Department expressed himself as be- 
ing completely unnerved. To use his exact words, 
"I can hardly hold a pen in my hand. I feel as 
though something terrible was about to hap- 
pen. When 1 see one bulletin 1 am temporarily 
relieved; but in a few minutes the same old feeling 
returns, and I am just as nervous until the next one 
is issued." At the Navy Department there were 
none of the usual transfers of officers made, and at 
the War Department the same state of affairs existed. 
When the evening papers came out their contents 
somewhat rallied the drooping spirits of the public, 
but by half-past six the same anxious feeling pre- 
vailed, and an anxious crowd had assembled in the 
vicinity of the White House to glean the latest in- 
telligence from the evening bulletin. 
HABMONY AMONG THE PHYSICIANS. 
In regard to the consultations held by the sur- 
geons at the White House it is learned that there are 
two surgeons constantly in attendance upon the 
President. When the others arrive for the purpose 
of holding the usual consultation before issuing the 
bulletins, the surgeons who were left in charge 
state all of the occurrences during the 
interim. These meetings for general consulta- 
tion are entirely informal. Dr. Bliss always 
presides. After hearing the statements of 
the surgeons and nurses in charge, there is a 
general expression of opinion as to what course 
should be pursued to meet any contingency that 
may have arisen since the last consultation. After a discussion of any subject that may present 
itself Dr. Bliss says, "Well, gentlemen, shall such 
and such a course be followed or would it be advisa- 
ble to do so aud so?" and their actions are usually 
governed by the opinion of the majority. So far 
they have almost uniformly agreed to and sanc- 
tioned all that has been done in treating the Presi- 
dent's case without a dissenting opinion. They do 
not sit around a table or go through the routine of 
balloting. It is said that their opinions have been 
unanimous and the consultations remarkably cor- 
dial. 
GONE TO SLEEP. 
Just before the White House was closed for the 
night Dr. Bliss came out from the President's room 
to write a telegram. Ho said:-"The President at 
this hour (eleven o'clock) is doing very well. Up to 
this time he has had no recurrence of nausea; his 
pulso has dropped down to 110 and is firmer and 
healthier in tone." 
"Do you propose giving him any more nourish- 
ment to-night?" 
"I don't think we will venture to do so. We are 
feeling our way gradually, aud do not think it would 
be wise to attempt to give him anything more until 
to-morrow. He is now sleeping naturally and quietly 
without the aid of morphia or other opiates. In 
fact he has been asloep nearly aH the time since the 
evening dressing." 
"You regard his condition as improved?" 
"Yes, decidedly improved, and with every pros- 
pect of a continuation of the favorable symptoms 
to-morrow." 
So the day closes here, with something more of 
hope than last night, but with every one very, very 
anxious, as the situation justifies, and great fears 
for the morrow. 
UNOFFICIAL rULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion, August 17-7:45 A. M. 
Dr. Bliss reports the President's pulse at 110, and 
that he feels encouraged at the general condition of 
his patient this morning. 
Executive Mansion-10:30 A. M. 
In conversation this morning on the President's 
condition. Dr. Boynton said the prospects were 
considerably brighter aud that the patient 
is resting comfortably. In i-eply to an 
»>.. exiiLained that tha enemata 
which were being administered consisted princi- 
pally of diluted extract of beef, a yolk of au egg aud 
whiskey, the whole being dissolved and slightly 
heated. Dr. Bliss expressed the opinion that the 
President's stomach was gradually becoming 
stronger, aud referred to the fact that the nourish- 
. meut was being retained as proof thereof. The 
Doctor still remains hopeful, and saaKJiere is no 
reason for giving the President's case up yet. 
NO BLOOD POISONING. 
Executive Mansion-11:30 A. M. 
Dr. Bliss in a second interview this morning was 
asked whether there was anything in the President's 
condition to indicate that pyaemia or blood poison- 
ing was the cause of the President's unfavorable 
symptoms. He replied very' emphatically in the nega- 
tive, and said there was no connection whatever be- 
tween the w'ound and the present troubles; that the 
unfavorable symptoms were due entirely to the con- 
dition of the patient's stomach, and that the at- 
tending surgeons were all quite confident that the 
treatment adopted would soon remedy tlBs. 
Executive Mansion-*,! P. M. 
The President's mail has increased verv mate- 
; rially since the relapse, and the number oi'sugges- 
tions as to how the unfavorable turn in the case 
should be met is innumerable. One correspondent 
says that if transfusion of the blood should be deter- 
mined upon ho is ready to give half or all of his 
blood, if necessary, to sustain and build up 
the President. Previous to the midday dress- 
ing Dr. Agnew was asked concerning the 
condition of the President. to which he 
responded, "He is better to-day." When questioned 
further the Doctor said, "There is nothing furtner 
to say than is contained in the bulletin, which is 
stated over my own signature, together with the 
signatures of the other surgeons." The Doctor was 
pressed for a reply to a question as to whether he 
considered that the patient had an equal chance for 
recovery. He said, "It is a bid plan to speculate 
on chances. The bulletin tells the story that the 
President is better to-day. Good morning." 
Executive Mansion-2 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss just came from the patient's room, and 
before leaving the mansion stated that the President 
had taken nourishment twice since the midday 
dressing had occurred-viz., at fifieen minutes to 
one and twenty-five minutes past one. It consisted 
or cooled infusion of beef mixed with a few drops of 
muriatic acid. The patient is given but a te»spoon- 
ful at a time. What has been administered thus far 
has been retained, and the improvement anticipated 
by it has been realized. The President, shortly 
after the first doss was taken, expressed himself as 
feeling better, and his pulse indicated great im- 
provement, having become stronger. 
Executive Mansion-2:45 P. M. 
In conversation this afternoon regarding the 
statements made by Dr. Hatumond relative to the 
treatment of President Garfield, in which he se- 
verely criticizes the ability of the attending sur- 
geons, Dr. Bliss said it was too bad that Dr. Ham- 
mond should say such things, and referred to the 
inconvenience he had gone to when the Doctor was 
in trouble to assist, him. The longer the speaker 
dwelt upon the subject the warmer he' grew, and in 
conclusion he said that the statements credited by 
the press to Dr. Hammond were simply infamous 
and untrue. 
WHO TELLS THE TBUTH? 
Executive Mansion-4:20 P. M. 
Up to this hour everything has apparently been 
going on bicely in the sick room. Colonel Corbin 
who came from the private part of the house a few 
minutes ago, was ^sued what the indications were. 
He said "Well, pretty good." The question was 
tbeu asked if there had been any return of nausea. 
The Colonel said, "The President has vomited once 
this afternoon aud his pulse is slightly higher than 
it was shortly after tiie nourishment was adminis- 
tered. Still there is hope yet." 
Executive Mansion-4:45 P. M. 
One of the attending 'surgeons says the President 
has had a very good day and has been benefited by 
the nourisment administered. In reply to a ques- 
tion whether there had been auy vomiting to-day 
the Doctor said, "No; the patien|»has retained the 
nourishment administered during the day." When 
last taken, a short time ago, the patient's pulse was 
114. 
Executive Mansion-5 P. M. 
Owing to the contradictory information obtained 
during the last hour with regard to the President's 
vomiting a note was just sent to Dr. Bliss, who is 
now in the surgeons' room, informing him that a 
gentleman who had recently been in the private 
part of the house had said upon leaving the 
mansion that the President had vomited ouce 
tnis afternoon and tbit his pulse was slightly 
higher. Dr. Bliss in reply wrote, "There has not 
been any vomiting to-day." Secretary Blaine says 
he has found things more encouraging than he ex- 
pected to. 
Executive Mansion-9 P. M. 
The President Iras been asleep nearly two hours. 
No recurrence of nausea in any degree. No morphia 
has been administered. His pulse at this hour is 
about 110. 
Executive Mansion-11 P. M. 
While all the information obtainable to-night is 
of a very favorable character and shows a rapidly 
increasing opinion that the patient will rally, 
there is no doubt he is still in a very critical condi- 
tion, and should his stomach become irritated in 
the least degree the outlook would be almost in- ; 
stantly changed from a favorable to a decidedly 
gloomy one. 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 17-Midnight.) 
At this hour everything is quiet in the sick room. 
Dr. Bliss and the members of the President's house- 
hold have retired tor the night. 
Condition of tlie President. 
"Hope is somewhat revived," says Mr. 
Blaine's telegram to Mr. Lowell, and that 
is about a fair summary of the President's 
condition. There is in the details just a 
suggestion of improvement, which all must 
apprehend wdl prove delusive, for the peo- 
ple have grown used to painful disap- 
pointments. There have been so many oc- 
currences of marked improvement and so 
many sudden relapses, each additional one 
worse than the other, that everybody nat- 
urally speculates upon the point to which 
this tends. Il the President could not rally 
in three weeks, when time had lully elapsed 
for the curative operations of nature to be 
in full play, how shall he rally in his 
seventh week, broken down by protracted 
suffering, but in no better condition with 
respect to the bullet? As he lies now, be- 
tween life and death, with that jagged, bad 
bit of lead in him, with his wound still 
suppurating, with chronic pyaemia, per- 
haps with an insidious peritonitis, we 
should be glad to be able to believe that 
improvement was possible ; but where is 
the point of support from which any favor- 
able turn is possible now that did not exist 
four weeks since? NEW YORK HERALD 
to occur. However, it is well to allow this putres- 
cent matter to escape in this manner, and it may 
result to the advantage of the patient. Taking 
everything into consideration the patient's vitality 
Is very low. Nature is continuously working 
against putrefaction, and while the blood is healthy 
there is no danger from this source. But just so 
soon as the blood becomes impoverished it is easily 
overcome by putrefactive tendencies, and suppura- 
tion is the result. The very fact of rapid progress 
of granulation in the wound is evidence that sep- 
tictemia is present to a very limited extent. 
SUFFERING OF THE PRESIDENT. 
Dr. Boynton, the President's family physician and 
also a cousin, came into Private Secretary Brown's 
room to-night about half-past eight o'clock. He 
Baid the feeling of the attending physicians as to the 
outlook was very hopeful. 
"They think the inflammation that has taken 
place in the right parotid giand can be overcome. 
But it is no trifling matter." 
•'Is it the result of septictemia. Doctor, in your 
opinion?" 
"Undoubtedly that-septictemia, mark you, not 
pytemia." 
"Does the President experience much pain from 
this swelling of the parotid glapd?" 
"He suffers considerably from it. It is a source of 
almost constant pain." 1 
"Does he complain?" 
'"Never whimpers. He stands it like a Spartan." 
"Will the doctors allow suppuration to take its 
Course before opening the abscess?" 
"Of course they will not open it until it is in proper 
condition to be cut. They are putting on a combi- 
nation of iodiform and collodion and also using ho 
applications. These are applied very frequently- 
when he is awake almost constantly; when asleep 
we do not disturb him." 
"Who discovered this trouble with the gland?" 
"I noticed it last night when bathing the Pres- 
ident. 1 discovered a fulness near the ear and re- 
ported it. By this morning it had assumed quite 
large proportions." 
"What does the President think of this unex- 
pected trouble?" 
"He mentioned it a few moments ago-that it was 
too bad this new complication arose. I assured him 
that it was not very serious, except the discomfort I 
resulting from it. I told him further that there was 
nothing alarming in it." 
THE FOOD QUESTION. 
"Did he show any desire for food to-day?" 
"Well, not what you might term desire. Food 
was not repulsive to him to-day, as it has 
been for a day or two back. He took 
nourishment naturally to-day. I asked him 
about noon how he would like some milk 
porridge, and he replied that be thought he could 
take some. I spoke to Mrs. Garfield in reference to 
it, and she immediately made a small quantity of 
it herself. When it was ready I gave it to the Presi- 
dent. He swallowed an ounce and a half of it. A 
few minutes ago he partook of more, and experi- 
enced no discomfort from it. He told me that he 
relished it more than anything he had eaten since 
he took to his bed." 
"What is the President's condition to-night ?" 
"His whole condition has improved to-day. The 
stomach is beginning to retain food, which I con- 
sider a very good sign." 
Dr. Boynton says that he does not want to be un- 
derstood as criticising the treatment of the case in 
any way. Indeed he does not think it could have 
been more wisely handled; but the fact is the patient 
was overfed. There was a laudable desire on 
the part of the physicians to build up the strength 
to meet the demands of suppuration and healing of 
the wound. Consequently the President was too 
zealously plied with rich food, and it proved more 
than his stomach could well bear. He was nauseated 
before Saturday with heavy food, and on that day he 
was given a dose of brandy that capped the climax, 
and be threw up everything and a severe fit of 
vomiting followed. 
A PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSIS. 
A prominent surgeon gives as a diagnosis the fol- 
lowing:-"The noon bulletin is the first of all that 
have been issued, if we except the relapse of July- 
23, that has given evidence of blood poison- 
ing. The inflammation of the parotid gland, 
considering the whole history of the case, 
is certainly a symptom of pyaemia or 
the result of feeble circulation in a debilitated 
heart. lu explanation of the inflammation of the 
parotio gland in a case like the President's the 
process js first a stagnation of blood-thrombus- 
in the capilaries or veins, then inflammation of the 
part succeeds, and finally suppuration or 
an abscess. At this stage the additional 
danger of resorption occurs, further aggravating the 
case. The bulletins do not throw sufficient light on 
the appearances of the wound by which the outside 
medical man could form a definite opinion, for if 
the wound is dusky or unhealthy looking and there 
should be a cessation of the discharge, accompanied 
by -the other symptoms, such, in my opin- 
ion, would be almost a positive indication j 
of blood poisoning. Now, there is evidence that 
something more exists than appear in the bulletins, 
for if Dr. Bliss was inoculated with the pus from 
the President's wound would it not be reason to say 
that the President was also inoculated or impreg- 
nated with ib when the last incision was made. If it 
exists the fraction of the ribs probably contributed to 
its causes, the excessive suppuration constantly 
tapping his strength and further predisposing to 
it, producing also an enfeebled heart. As is stated 
before the inflamed gland is a symptom of blood 
poisoning, and it would not be surprising should 
the.President hold out that other enlargements or 
abscesses follow. This subject has been dis- 
cussed so extensively that it is scarcely 
necessary to say anything more. You may 
add, however, in cases of blood poisoning that are 
not acute the symptoms are sometimes those of 
ordinary traumatic fever, and it is here where the 
surgeon is often puzzled in distinguishing it. Even 
the appearances of the wound are often also indis- 
tinguishable from those of an ordinary healing 
ulcer. Recovery from this condition is more likely 
when the case has become chronic.'-' 
ANXIETY OF THE SURGEONS. 
At the White House to-night repeated efforts were 
made to ascertain why the attending physicians had 
deemed it best to omit all reference to the inflam- 
mation of the parotid gland, which was first men- 
tioned in the noon bulletin to-day. Dr. Reyburn 
was the only one of the regular physicians who 
could be reached, and when he was questioned as to 
the omission he replied:-"Our reason for 
not mentioning it was simply this. We 
want to wait to see what it is be- 
fore we say anything further on the subject." 
Later it became apparent that there was some di- 
versity of opinion as to what particular treatment 
should be adopted in this new phase of the case. 
1'rom information from the sick room it was 
gathered that early in the day it had at first been 
thought best to allow the swelling to run its course 
and to hasten suppuration by the aid of applica- 
tions. At a later hour it was determined 
best to "scatter" the inflammation and pre- 
vent the swelling from coming to a head 
and the treatment was accordingly changed. It was 
also learned that the enlargement was becoming 
hourly more marked and so painful that it was 
probable that it would seriously interfere with the 
chances of the President passing a quiet night. At 
eleven o'clock, an hour at which the President has 
heretofore been sleeping quietly, it was learned that 
he was awake and restless from the pain, and that 
the prospect of a wakeful night loomed up 
before him .unless resort was had to an 
anodyne. Several efforts were made during the 
course of the evening to get an authoritative state- 
ment from the doctors but a strict reticence 
was observed, even when it was represented that 
silence would be construed into an indication that 
the situation, so-far as regarded this new feature in 
the phase, had become so grave that it was not 
deemed best to make public anything inregard to it. 
R ROADWAY AND ANN STREET 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
proprietor. 
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, AUGUST JO, 1881. 
[BY TELEGBAPH TO THE HERALD.^ 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 18-8:30 A. M.J 
The President has passed a very comfortable night, 
Bleeping well the greater part of the time. There 
has been no further vomiting and the nutritive 
enemata are still retained. This morning his pulse 
is slower and his general condition better than 
yesterday at the same hour. Pulse, 104; tempera- 
ture, 98.8; respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, * 
J. K. BARNES, ERANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President is suffering Aom discomfort this 
morning from commencing inflammation of the 
right parotid gland. In other respects his condi- 
tion is somewhat improved, and especially his 
stomach is becoming less intolerant. He has asked 
for and retained several portions of liquid nourish- 
ment, much more than he could swallow yesterday. 
The nutritive enemata continue to be used with suc- 
cess. At present his pulse is 108; temperature 98.4; 
respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President has done well during the day. He 
has taken additional nourishment by the mouth 
this afternoon with evident relish and without sub- 
sequent nausea. There is some rise ©^temperature, 
but his general condition is rather better thau at 
this time yesterday. Pulse, 108; temperature, 100; 
Inspiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. j. WOODWARD, 
CABLEGRAM SENT TO EUROPE. 
The following cablegram was sent this afternoon 
by the Secretary of State:- 
Washington, August 18-2 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
At two o'clock P. M. the President shows a slight 
improvement in his power to retain and digest food, 
but his general condition is not strongly reassur- 
ing. BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 18-11P.M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The condition of the President at eleven o'clock 
to-night shows improvement. He has swallowed, 
retained and apparently digested nine ounces of 
liquid food during the day-asking for it himself 
and relishing it. The swelling of the parotid gland 
has created some uneasiness in the public mind, 
though it is not regarded as especially discouraging 
by his medical advisers. BLAINE, Secretary. 
EVIDENCES OF SEPTICAEMIA. 
To-day adds another complication to the Presi- 
dent's ca<e. This time it is an inflammation of the 
parotid gland, the principal salivary gland, situated 
beside the front and lower portion of the ear. If 
this inflammation goes on and suppuration sets in 
It proves beyond a doubt that septiemmia of at least 
a mild form is present and has been for weeks past. 
Putrescent matter in the blood gives rise to what is 
Balled septictemia, and the results of septicemia are 
these suppurating places. They are, however, con- 
fined to no particular part of the body and may 
show themselves almost anywhere in the limbs and 
joints. The fact of this suppuration being lo- 
cated in the parotid gland must cause 
the patient considerable pain, being surrounded by 
sensitive nerves that are affected by the swelling. 
It is a very uncommon place for these suppurations ana no one dares prophesy after the experp 
ence of the nearly seven weeks gone by 
Cabinet officers and heads of bureaus were at their 
posts in the departments to-day, and affairs have 
again taken a business shape. This is always a good 
straw to judge of the feeling, for it takes but little 
exMtement at the White House to spread along the 
line, and demoralization soon follows. All infor- 
mation at the White House to-night is of a hopeful 
tenor, but the morrow is waited for with great con- 
cern. 
A CHAT WITH MB. BLAINE. 
As your correspondent was leaving the room of 
Private Secretary Brown, at half-past ten o'clock 
to-night, he was saluted by Secretary Blaine, ac- 
companied by Mrs. Blaine and General Sherman, 
who were just then coming out of the Cabinet room 
on the way to their homes. Walking along with 
Mr. Blaine, I asked him: - 
•'Will you be able to make a more favorable show- 
ing to-night than you did in your afternoon de- 
spatch to Lowell, London?" 
Mr. Blaine answered:-"I don't know yet, but I 
expect to. I will not have the information 
on which to base my night despatch to 
Loweil until eleven o'clock. I have a tele- 
phone running from the surgeons' room in the 
White House into my office at the State Department 
and one into my room at home, and I have an ar- 
rangement with the surgeons by which they give 
me at that hour the result of their observations 
taken at that moment. So you see what I send to 
London at nearly midnight is entirely reliable and 
authentic." 
I remarked, "You are very conservative in your 
despatches." 
"Yes," said Mr. Blaine; "I do not believe it is 
right to color the statements in the slightest degree. 
It is a crime, I think, to say one word that is not 
absolutely warranted by the facts. Besides which 
.you will observe that I use no technical phrases or 
terms. They ought not to be used at all. They con- 
fuse and mislead the people tor whose information 
they are intended." 
Mr. Blaine evaded a question calling for his opin- 
ion as to the President's chances. He remarked in 
sympathetic tones, however:-"It is a sad case. 
Sometimes I use my telephone to call up the 
surgeons in the middle of the night. I am so anx- 
ious to know how he is getting along." 
As I bade the Secretary good night I asked if he 
had heard whether or not the President had taken 
any nourishing food this afternoon. He answered 
with evident satisfaction, "Yes, he has taken nine 
ounces of nourishing food and retained it." 
A MIDNIGHT REI>OBT. 
Dr. Bliss has just said to a number of journalists 
in substance this:-"I do not feel any cause for 
alarm in the swelling gland. The pain has disap- 
peared and the swelling itself is subsiding. It is 
not pyaimia and has no relation to pyaemia. 
It will not interfere with the President's pros- 
pects of recovery or impair his strength." Dr. 
Bliss spoke in a very earnest, confident 
manner, and beyond question was sincere in his 
statement. Private Secretary Brown, who but a 
few moments since left the doctors' room, reported 
a very cheerful and confident feeling there, &c. He 
undoubtedly reflects the most sanguine opinion of 
the doctors. He said:-"The surgeons say that 
there is no danger from this swelling of 
the gland; that it is not the result of 
py®mia. Why should pyamia have appeared 
in the non-absorbent glands when it could have 
manifested itself in the absorbent glands, which are 
so much nearer? The doctors say there is no 
pyaemia and that his general condition is improved. 
He has received as nourishment to-day the equiva- 
lent of half a pound of nutritious food." 
General Sheldon to-night, who has had a talk with 
Mrs. Garfield, also expresses confident hopes, al- 
though he says ho understands that the swelling in 
the neck is the result of a modified form of pyaemia, 
that it is likely to break, and is, in fact, an abscess. 
THE PABOTID GLAND. 
A recognized medical authority writing of the 
Parotic Gland says it is the largest of the salivary 
glands, seated under the ear and near ths angle of 
the lower.jaw. It is composed of many separate 
lobes, giving rise to excretory ducts, which unite to 
form one canal, called the Parotid Duct, Steno's 
Canal-the Dudus Superior or Superior Salivary 
Gland of some. This duct, after having advanced 
horizontally into the substance of the cheek, 
proceeds through an opening into the buc- 
cinator muscle and terminates in the mouth 
opposite the upper second molaris. About the 
middle of its course, it sometimes receives the ex- 
cretory duct of a glandular body, situate in its 
vicinity, and called the accessory gland of the paro- 
tid. In the substance of the parotid are founds 
number of branches of the facial nerve, of the 
transverse arteries of the face and the posterior 
auricular. It receives also some filaments from the 
inferior maxillary nerve and from the ascending 
branches orf the superficial cervical plexus. Its 
lymphatic vessels are somewhat numerous, and 
pass into ganglions situate at its surface or behind 
the angle ot the jaw. The parotid secretes saliva, 
and pours it copiously into the mouth. 
IS IT BLOOD poisoning? 
A prominent physician who was approached and 
asked what this inflammation of the parotid gland 
meant, said:-"I don't care to say anything about 
it- but I will say, however, that it tends to compli- 
cate the case in a very bad way. It marks the pres- 
ence of septic matter in the blood, and call it pyra- 
mid or septicsemia it is not. a' reassuring symp- 
tom «• 
"Are the other symptoms of the cases such as 
would indicate that it was pyaemia?" 
"It has been asserted that they are not, but in 
my practice 1 have had cases where pyaemia in its 
incipiency was not indicated by a chill or rigor, but 
where there was merely a prostration, accompanied 
by a low fever of an intermittent character and 
where the peculiar sweetish odor of the 
breath was absent. In the case that I 
recall the patient had become greatly re- 
duced. The wound was discharging freely, 
and the pus presented the usual healthy appear- 
, ance. In this case also, as in that of the President, 
the patient was very weak, and the effect of the pus 
poisoning did not reach a climax until a great reduc- 
tion of the system had taken place, and it took some 
time for it to culminate in the death of the patient, 
who lingered nearly a week after the first symptoms 
made their appearance." 
THE DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 
Fear was mingled with hope during the latter half 
of the day at the Executive Mansion, though the 
day opened bright enough. The President awoke 
shortly after daylight seemingly refreshed by his 
sleep, which has been divided into two parts. He 
went to sleep about eleven o'clock last night and 
slept pleasantly until about two, the greater 
portion of it« being sound sleep. Waking 
at two o'clock he asked for a small 
piece of ice, which he allowed to melt 
in his mouth and then dropped quietly to sleep 
again. It was after four o'clock when he woke. 
Several times during the night the physicians on 
duty, who laid down in the consulting room, in- 
quired of Mrs. Edson, who was his solitary- 
watcher until two o'clock, whether he was sleep- 
ing. Being answered in the affirmative they 
did not enter the room. At that hour Mrs. 
Edson was relieved by Major Swaim. Mrs. Edson 
then tock a rest, and by halt-past six o'clock 
was back again and put everything in shape for the 
visit of the physicians, which was momentarily ex- 
pected after that hour. Drs. Agnew and Hamilton, 
who slept at the residence of the Attorney General,, 
were the first at the White House oi those on the 
outside. They walked to the Executive Mansion' 
passing along the streets slowly. Dr. Agnew being 
engaged in informing Dr. Hamilton of the progress 
of and changes in the case while he was away. 
fibst examination or the patient. 
By seven o'clock the physicians had all gathered. 
Surgeon General Barnes being a few minutes late. 
The room of the distinguished patient was then 
visited. The President recognized Dr. Hamilton, 
and, making an Effort to grasp his hand, remarked, 
"I am glad to see you." By this time Dr. Bliss 
had begun the preparations for the morning 
examination of the wound. As the ban- 
dage was removed from it it was hand- 
ed to Dr. Hamilton, the President in the 
meantime having been turned over in bed, resting 
on his face. The wound was soon exposed, and was 
examined with interest by both Drs. Hamilton and 
Bliss, the others contenting themselves by standing 
at the other side of the bed and looking on. It was 
found to be still doing well. Then it was washed 
with an antiseptic fluid, portions of the pus being 
secured by Dr. Woodward for the usual micros- 
copic examination which follows each of the 
dressings. By these examinations it is learned how 
the granulation is progressing and its character arid 
extent. A new bandage was applied, and with as 
little delay as possible the President was turned 
and then lifted while still lying in the sheet and 
a new mattress put in the place of that used during 
the night. The dressing occupied in all about 
twenty minutes. Mrs. Garfield then came into the 
room-she had.been there previous to the dressing 
also. Her first question was, "Are you perfectly 
comfortable?" The President replied that he was. 
discussing his diet. 
The physicians withdrew to the consultation 
room, where about a half hour was spent in dis- 
cussing the question of nourishment. The decision 
was reached that some beef tea could be given in 
the natural way several times during the day, pro- 
vided there were no signs of a return of the vomit- 
ing, and that the nourishment by enema should 
also be continued. The bulletin was then drawn 
up and signed. The first quantity of beef 
tea given him was about a tablespoonful, 
divided in three portions. It was-cooled, and had 
been spiced slightly so that it tasted better than 
that which had heretofore been taken by him. This. 
over, the next question was how the day could be 
passed pleasantly for the President. Mrs. Garfield 
sat on one side of the bad and Mrs. Edson on the 
other. The conversation began on the telegrams sent 
by the Queen and others, expressing their gratifica- 
tion on his recovery so far. The President, though | 
a careful listener, said but little. He probably knew 
the test that he was putting his stomach to and 
would make no effort which would agitate that or- 
gan. No mention was made during the entire day 
of the subject of nourishment, and the first the 
President knew of any intention of giving him any | 
was when it was handed to him. The morning 
passed without special incident until .Dr. Ag- I 
new came in the room again and bade the 
President goodby, stating that he would go to I 
Philadelphia, but would return in two days. As 
Dr. Agnew left Mrs. Garfield followed him out of 
the room. In the corridor outside Dr. Aunew as- 
sured Mrs. Garfield of his* confidence in the Presi- 
dent's condition, saying he felt satisfied that he 
would find him much improved on his return. 
This cheered Mrs. Garfield up considerably and she 
returned to the bedside. 
EFFECT OF THE NOON BULLETIN. 
Upon going in the President told her he felt a 
slight pain in the region of the right ear. Tnis was 
the first notice of any inflammation of the parotid 
gland,.which played such an important part during 
the rest of the day. But the President made no fur- 
ther complaint of it till the physicians returned for 
the noon examination. To them he spoke of it 
again. The consultation held before the noon bulletin j 
was issued was more extended than usual, and as 
a result the bulletin was three-quarters of an hour 
late. It was written, like all of the others, by Dr. 
Woodward, whose effort has been to frame all so 
that they would be satisfactory to the medical men 
as well as the non-professionals who read them. 
Often they have failed to give satisfaction to either. 
The physicians did not know when they formulated 
it what an excitement it would produce, but they 
ascertained something in that direction in a 
very brief time. The introduction of a new phrase 
has always had that effect, but they had forgotten it. 
In a half hour numerous telegrams were received 
asking for the exact meaning of the symptom re- 
ferred to in the bulletin, and whether it was regarded 
favorable or unfavorable. These questions came 
from newspaper correspondents and others, 
but they were not satisfactorily answered. 
Physicians who were not in the case 
gave their theories and definitions when 
asked for them, but the demand was made on the 
President's physicians. Medical works were over- 
hauled in all quarters, but the definition of the 
symptom was so general that it was found it would 
cover a case of mumps or lockjaw almost as well as 
it did that from which the President is sup- 
posed to be suffering. The general information was 
secured, however, that this glandular swelling does 
not take place unless the blood is in a debilitated or 
impoverished condition from some cause, though it 
is just as likely to be a consequence from typhoid 
malarial fever as anything else. 
PUBLIC QUESTIONING. 
What the public wanted to know was whether it I 
indicated a pyajmic condition of the blood, or 
whether or not the dreaded blood or pus poison- 
ing had commenced, existed or was end- 
ing. These questions remained unanswered 
by the physiaaaus who have charge of 
the case. As the afternoon progressed there was a 
return of the fever, which has been absent for sev- 
eral days. The temperature of the body rose and 
the President became thirsty, asking more fre- 
quently for cracked ice. Mrs. Garfield brought him 
a tablespoonful of milk, the first he has had for five 
days. He drank it with evident relish and it was re- 
tained by the stomach, as was also a tablespoonful 
of beef extract, which he took soon afterward. 
Later on in the afternoon the President took more 
beef extract, and this concluded his nourishment 
for the day. Nearly double the quantities will be 
given to-morrow provided the stomach recovers so 
that it will not revolt on the slightest suggestion of 
^nourishment. The nourishment taken by the Pxesi 
dent to-day, however, has not been enough to more 
than sustain lite; it certainly did not repair the 
wastage that took place in the discharge of pus. ' 
But it was something in that direction, and prob- 
ably put the stomach in condition to receive a larger 
quantity later without danger of convulsing what 
is a treacherously sensitive organ. 
EXCITEMENT SUBSIDING. 
All external indications of excitement have sub- 
sided, and tranquillity once more prevails through- 
out the city. However, there is still a lingering 
doubt depicted in the faces one sees about the bul- 
letin boards. Hope has told a flattering tale so often 
during the past weeks that it will require many days 
of progress before the public will feel satisfied that the 
future is full of promise. The White House was 
almost deserted to-night, and the bulletin boards 
about the city were less eagerly scanned. Visitors 
at the Executive Mansion camo and went with little 
flurry and anxiety. The Cabinet officers show a de- 
cided change of spirit, and anxiously await 
the developments of the next few days. 
■Hope, not confidence, is the ruling power, UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, August 18-11:30 A, M. j 
The indications are that everything is proceeding 
nicely in the sick room. Dr. Agnew left for Phila- 
delphia on the limited express. He will probably 
return to-morrow, in order that Dr. Hamilton may 
go to New York on Saturday. Private Secretary 
Brown accompaniedlhe Doctor to the train and says 
he talked very encouragingly of the President's 
chances. Previous to leaving the mansion Dr. Ag- 
new had a talk with Mrs. Garfield and informed her 
that he felt perfectly secure in being temporarily 
absent; that if an emergency should occur he could 
easily be summoned. At this hour the President is 
resting quietly. About three-quarters of an hour 
ago he took a small quantity of koumiss, which was 
given him by his wife. Up to this time no bad ef- 
fects have been experienced from it and the patient 
is sleeping. 
Executive Mansion-12:20P. M. 
The President has again taken a small quantity of 
koumiss and retained it. He relishes tho nourish- 
ment and asks for more. He has partaken several 
times during the morning. At present there are 
no indications of his being disturbed by nausea. 
Executive Mansion-2 P. M. 
As Dr. Hamilton was leaving the White House ten 
minutes ago he said, in response to the questions of 
a representative of the press, that he could not con- 
veniently explain the cause of the inflammation of 
the parotid gland at this time, but he said it was 
perfectly proper to state that it was not an indica- 
tion of any serious complication, was not an un- 
usual occurrence in such cases, and that it caused no 
alarm whatever to the attending surgeons. 
Dr. Bliss, in response to interrogatories on the 
subject of the inflammation of the President's pa- 
rotid gland, agrees with Dr. Hamilton that there is 
no occasion for alarm, as it is not an unusual occur- 
rence in cases where patients become greatiy debil- 
itated. He says it is not indicative of pyaemia or of 
fever. 
Executive Mansion-4:50 P. M. 
The President is quiet, and, with the exception of 
experiencing considerable pain from the inflamma- 
tion of the parotid gland, is quite comfortable. He 
has taken koumiss at intervals all day and has re- 
tained it. It is generally maintained by the sur- 
geons that the inflammation of the gland is not an 
alarming feature. 
HOPE RENEWED. 
Executive Mansion-10:30P. M. 
The morning bulletin was generally conceded at 
the Executive Mansion to be the most favorable 
which has been issued since the President's relapse. 
Dr. Agnew's departure tor Philadelphia proved to 
be the signal for a decidedly better feeling in all 
quarters, and convinced many doubtful ones that 
the case was progressing satisfactorily. Previous 
to leaving the White House the Doctor as- 
sured Mrs. Garfield that he did not con- 
sider his presence necessary, as everything was 
going on as well as possible. This aclw^wledament 
from the consulting surgeon was looked upon as 
an extremely faaraxateJe indication, and all who heard 
I of it experienced renewed hope and viewed the situa- 
tion as being undeniably better than could reason- 
ably have been expected twenty-four hours earlier. 
The patient has been improving ever since the first 
teaspoouful ot nourishment was taken, and this fact 
was proved by his firmer pulse. 
Before the. noon bulletin was issued the President 
had partaken of koumiss on four different occa- 
sions, and expressed a desire for more. Of course 
the nourishment was administered in very small 
quantities. Previous to administering the first 
quantity of koumiss Mrs. Garfield was sitting by 
the patient's bedside, when he expressed himself as 
feeling comparatively well, and inquired it 
it was net desired to try the strength of the stom- 
ach again by permitting him to have some nourish- 
ment, and expressed a desire for koumiss, where- 
upon his wife gave him the first portion. The tact 
ot the President having suggested the administra- 
, tion of nourishment is considered by the attending 
surgeons as an indication that the irritability of the 
| stomach is subsiding, and that in consequence the 
patient commences to crave food. 
Considerable anxiety was exhibited about half- 
past twelve o'clock on account of a slight delay in 
the noon bulletin. The contents or the bulletin 
when it was read, at a quarter past one o'clock, did 
not allay the anxiety, because of the announcement 
it contaiued iu reference to the inflammation of the 
parotid gland, and until the assurances ot the con- 
sulting and attending surgeons were obtained to the 
contrary great apprehension was telt that a new and 
serious complication had been encountered. 
Dr. Hamilton was the first ot the surgeons ap- 
plied to for information regarding the inflamed 
gland, but beyond the statement that it was noth- 
ing of a serious character the Doctor was disinclined 
to talk. He intimated that he could not explain the 
affection to a non-professional in the brief time he 
had at his disposal, and left with the remark that it 
was nothing to cause alarm. 
DH. BLISS EXPLAINS. 
W^n Dr. Bliss left the Mansion, about a quarter 
before three P. M., he was met at the front entrance 
by several members of the press. His attention was 
called to tho various rumors which had been circu- 
lated since the midday bulletin was issued in con- 
nection with the inflammation of the President's 
parotid gland. These rumors were to the effect that 
it was an indication of pyaemia, low fever and other 
complications of a more or less serious nature, and 
also that mortification had set in. 
The doctor said it was very curious to him that in 
view ot tho tact that pyaemia was such a specific 
disease that some^ieople will insist that the Presi- 
dent has it, while the attending surgeons have thus 
far been unable to discover any indication of it 
whatsoever. 
••This inflamation,'' tho Doctor continued, "is 
nothing unusual in cases where patients have be- 
come greatly debilitated. I have seen it many times 
in cases ot gunshot wounds.'' 
"Then it is not pyaemia. Doctor?" 
"Oh, no I" 
"Is it an indication of fever, typhoid or other- 
wise?" 
"Not at all. It is an affection which need not 
cause the slightest alarm." 
The Doctor with this remark stepped into his car- 
riage and drove from the Mansion. 
These assurances ot tho attending surgeons were 
placed on tho newspaper bulletin boards throughout 
the city and carried by one person to another to 
such an extent during the early afternoon that the 
extreme anxiety occasioned by the announcement of 
the fact, diminished very considerably before night. 
General Swaim says inasmuch as the President has 
retained the koumiss he has taken to-day his 
stomach is proven to be gradually strengthening, 
and this being the case, in his opinion, the crisis has 
Peen passed and the patient will now continue to 
improve. 
WHAT DB. BEYBURN SAYS. 
Early this evening Dr. Keyburn was asked his 
opinion of tho President's condition, whereupon 
the following dialogue ensued:- . i 
"The President is doing very well." \ 
"Does he experience much inconvenience from 
Hie inflammation referred to in tho noon bulletin? 
"He lias considerable pain in his neck, which is 
the result of the inflamed gland." 
"Well, Doctor, what is the cause of this inflamma- 
tion? How do you explain it?" 
"IX is the result of extreme debility. 
"Do not similar symptoms manifest themselves 
in typhoid fever?" 
"They do; but inflammation of the parotid gland 
frequently occurs in eases where patients are in a 
state of excessive debility from other causes." 
"Has the President taken nourishmant at all dur- 
ing the day ?'' . 
"Yes, sir. He has been taking koumiss in small 
quantities all day." 
"Has he experienced any trouble in retaining it? 
"None whatever. He has retained it all." 
"Do you think the President is better to-day than 
he was yesterday ?" 
"He is as )vell as we could reasonably expect, and 
I think he is getting along nicely." 
At the time of this interview, previous to the 
issuance of the evening bulletin, the patient's 
pulse, although not taken accurately, was not 
thought to bo any higher than when the noon bul- 
letin was issued-namely, 108. 
After the evening bulletin came out there was a 
perceptible feeling of gratification among those who 
came to the Executive Mansion to await it. 
Dr. Keyburn, when asked what he thought of the 
increased temperature, said, "It cannot be con- 
sidered as an unfavorable indication, inasmuch as 
it shows that the patient has considerable vitality 
left." 
"On the whole, Doctor, do you consider the Presi- 
dent better to-day than yesterday?" 
"Yes," replied the Doctor. "He is better to-day." 
"Do you still keep up the enemata. Doctor." 
"Oh, yes. We will not discontinue the enemata 
yet awhile." 
"Has the President taken anything besides kou- 
miss to-day ?" 
"Yes, he swallowed two tablespoonfuls of milk 
gruel, which was prepared by Mrs. Garfield." 
"Did he retain it all?" 
"Every bit of it." 
septicaemia not pyemia. 
Dr. Boynton, who remained in Secretary Brown's 
room a short time this evening, was asked how he 
accounted for the inflammation of the parotid gland, 
in reply to which he said, "I think it is scpticsemia- 
it certainly is not py»mia." 
During the course of further conversation the 
Doctor explained his version of septicaemia, which 
was in substance that it was caused in this case by 
the condition ot the patient's blood. According to 
his theory the same affection is liable to occur in 
cases of diphtheria, typhoid or scarlet fevers, and, 
in fact, in any disease which renders the blood un- 
healthy. The Doctor was asked if he apprehended 
results from the new complication. 
"Oh, no," sai l he. "It has spent its fury, and I 
think it will pass away now." 
The Doctor did not attribute the inflammation to 
the condition of the wound, inasmuch as the par- 
otid gland is not an absorbing but a secreting gland. 
It is true, however, that the discharge from the 
wound might influence the irritation to a certain 
extent. 
According to the theories advanced by the attend- 
ing surgeons and other prominent memb-rs of the 
medical profession, however, the case may ba sum- 
med up with the statement that the parotid 
gland secretes the saliva, and when no nourish- 
ment is taken in the natural way tor a 
time there is no demand made upon the saliva, and 
it therefore naturally secretes itself in the parotid 
gland, and after remaining there too long causes in- 
flammation. According to this theory it is fair to 
assume that tho seeds of the complication were 
sown during the time the patient was unable to take 
nourishment in the natural way, and now that he 
has been able to retain what he has swallowed the 
saliva is drawn upon again and the irrita- 
tion will probably gradually decrease. Of course, 
there are different views of the subject; but this 
theory, compared with the number advanced, ap- 
pears to be the one most generally accepted by those 
who have watched the case closely. 
The latest Information received from the private 
part of the mansion indicates that the surgeons are 
hopeful the President will pass a comparatively 
comfortable night. He was resting quietly at eleven 
o'clock, and though he has taken considerable 
nourishment to-night there has been no return of 
nausea. 
Condition of the President. 
With some hopeful indications in the gen- 
eral aspect of the President's case it is sud- 
denly clouded again by the appearar.ee of a 
new complication, or rather by a new mani- 
festation of an old complication, for the 
parotitis is simply one more consequence 
of the pyaemia, the onset of which was 
noticed on the 23d of July. It will be 
observed that the surgeons in attend- 
ance seem to regard this last trouble 
as somewhat trivial and as altogether un- 
likely to affect the favorable progress of the 
patient. It is contemplated in that way in 
the bullet ns. Dr. Hamilton is reported in 
one of the "unofficial bulletins" to have 
said to a reporter "that he could not con- 
veniently explain the cause of the inflam- 
mation of the parotid gland at this time, 
but he said it was perfectly proper to 
state that it was not an indi-- 
cation of any serious complication- 
was not an unusual occurrence in such 
cases and that it caused no alarm what- 
ever to the attending surgeons." 'Ihese 
assurances would perhaps have more weight 
if similar ones m <de earlier in the case had 
been more completely verified ; but even 
with that qualification the public will be. 
glad to bear from men near the patient a 
judgment so sanguine. For our part we do 
not perceive what cause that could possibly 
be other than serious could at this moment 
be making trouble and exciting inflamma- 
tory action in the glandular system. In the 
first place we do not believe that in a case 
of this nature any iact is trivial or unim- 
portant, for in a man who at the end of 
forty days has to be kept alive by the injec- 
tion of nutritive material every departure 
from the normal state of an organ rises 
to the proportions of a great event-since 
it may always prove the fatal ounce 
added to a burden that was just 
supported and no more before that 
addition. But what other rxplanation 
can be given of this trouble with the 
parotid gland than that it is an- 
other consequence of the pyaemic contami- 
nation of the system? Although we saw 
the first indications of this trouble 
on the 23d ult. in the rigors and 
colliquative sweats then reported, saw 
it subsequently in the typhoid state 
that followed, saw it in the intoler- 
ance of the stomach and the troubled pulse 
and temperature, yet the very positive 
declarations of the attending surgeons that 
there was no pyaemia was to be respected. 
But this tendency to the formation of an 
abscess in a distant organ is almost like a 
demonstration of the presence of the poison 
in the blood. It is an effect of this condi- 
tion of the blood that it does not nourish 
the organs, but that %it becomes 
instead a source of irritation, and provokes 
inflammation and suppurative action. Pus 
in the joints, pus in the glands, pus in the 
parenchymatous organs are only so many 
necessary results of pymmia. We shall be 
rejoiced if the sanguine view ot the sur- 
geons is sustained, but this sign seems to 
us the worst of all yet noted. We trust 
that the next fact may not be the appear- 
ance in the lungs of such trouble as is now 
in this gland. 
DR. BUSS DENIES THE CHICAGO STORY. 
. Executive Mansion-2:15 P. M. 
The publication or an alleged extract from a lettei 
written by Dr. Bliss to a friend in Chicago, in which 
he is quoted as saying that he holds no interviews 
with newspaper correspondents, but that they in- 
sist upon inventing false and foolish con. 
versations with him, and concluding with, 
"Don't think the President's surgeons and 
physicians are shallow fools because the 'press 
gang' here try to make them out such,'' has >>een a 
subject of considerable comment among members 
of the press during the day, and, in order to obtain 
the facts in the case, the article was clipped from a 
morning paper and sent to Dr. Bliss, with a request 
that he should say in writing whether or not h« 
wrote the letter referred to. The response of Dr. 
Bliss is as follows:- 
In reply to your note requesting to be informed 
if the enclosed slip from the Chicago Evening Journal 
was written by me I have to state that the paragraph 
is an entire fabrication, and is only one ot the many 
false and cruel attacks upon me since I have occu- 
pied the position as surgeon in charge of the Presi- 
dent. I have not, heretofore, thought proper to 
make any puolic denial of these heartless attacks 
upon my character, and do now only in reply to 
yourkind note of this date, because you seem to 
think it of sufficient importance to call my attention 
to it. Very truly yours, D. W. BLISS. 
DB. CAliNOCHAN'S VIEWS. 
THE PRESIDENT'S PRESENT TROUBLE NOT ALI 
THE RESULT OF DYSPEPSIA HAS THE BALI 
MOVED TOWARD THE CAVITY OF THE PERI- 
TONEUM ?-LOCAL CAUSES PRODUCING IBRD 
TABILITY OF THE STOMACH. 
[New York Commercial Advertiser, August 18.] 
Notwithstanding the glamour of encouragement 
which pervades this morning's bulletins, although 
the frequency of the President's pulse has been 
slightly modified and he contrives to retain on a re- 
bellious stomach almost minute particles of beef 
extract, koumiss and water, it cannot be denied that 
there exists ample oause for the ill-concealed 
anxiety, both of the physicians who frame those 
reports and the prayerful nation which receivea 
them. 
This last is the gravest of the complications which 
have till now aggravated our President's case. 
While it is proper to hope for a fortunate issue it 
must be confessed that the conditions which might 
justify this hope are wofuily small. 
A reporter of the Commercial called on Dr. J. M< 
Carnochan at his office this morning. 
The Doctor was louud busily preparing for an 
operation, and at first begged to be excused. After- ward he consented to discuss the President's pres- 
I ent condition in its general aspect, and the reporter 
proceeded:- 
"Doctor, from what do you think the nausea, 
' vomiting and irritability of the patient's stomach- 
as stated in the reports of the last few days-can 
proceed?" 
"I am afraid that local causes as well as constitu- 
tional influences are producing the irritability of 
the stomach, and to an extent greater than might be 
supposed to be produced by mere dyspepsia. Dys- 
pepsia is a very generic term, and we scarcely know 
what is meant by the expression as used in the re- 
ports." 
"What causes do you consider may be at work?" 
'•In the first place, the presence of the bail, which 
from having struck a rib with the force of breaking 
it, must be of irregular shape-jagged and rough, 
Then there is the suppurating character of th< 
wound, its undoubted purulent absorption to I 
greater or leas extent, and the influence upon th* 
blood of the prolonged administration of ether." 
'•You mention the ball as one ot the sources of th< 
irritation whi ch is being radiated through the ner 
vous system upon the stomach. What ot that?" 
''1 look upon that as of much importance, espo 
cially as the ball-which at one time may have been 
in a position perfectly innocuous-may have moved 
towards the cavity ot the peritoneum, or toward 
one of the more important viscera contained in that 
cavity." 
"In what way would these sources reach the 
stomach?" 
"Ail these influences act upon the nervous cen- 
tres, and would thence bo reflected through the 
pneumo-gastric nerve upon the stomach." 
"Then you look upon other causes than those of 
mere dyspepsia as producing the irritability by 
which the President is now distressed? Are nausea 
and vomiting symptoms usually accompanying sur- 
gical injuries during their progress?" 
"They are very common complications after se- 
vere surgical injuries or severe surgical operations 
that do not progress favorably." 
"Do you consider the antecedent dyspepsia with 
which the President seems to have been troubled as 
bearing any influence on the present condition of 
his stomach?" 
"If the stomach had heretofore been in a morbid 
condition it might reasonably be supposed to be a 
weak point in the general system and consequently 
might be more easily impressed by external agencies 
of an injurious character." 
'•But the President has been very free from nausea 
and vomiting previous to this last relapse?" 
"That is one reason why it might be inferred that 
thecauses above mentioned are now at work, and 
that they might be considered more active in the 
production ot the gastric symptoms than any ante- 
cedent abnormal condition of the digestive organs." 
"Then you consider nausea and vomiting, the 
tymptoms attributed to dyspepsia, as caused rather 
by the local conditions now existing than by the 
mere organic condition of the stomach?" 
"Yes." 
"What influence have those views on your opin- 
ion of the future progress of the President's case?" 
"I must say, not a favorable one. If dyspepsia be 
merely the cause of the present relapse there might 
be some hope of relief, but if-as I believe-the other 
causes ere still dominant in giving the type to his 
present condition, theie is but small room for hope 
of their effective removal in his present exhausted 
State." 
"Do you look upon the President's state, then, as 
hopeless ?" 
"If he were a hospital patient such as I often 
meet with, more or less enfeebled by previous ir- 
reguiarities, I should regard the case as hopeless, 
but from the previous excellent condition-as we 
are told-of the President's health, and ot his abso- 
lutely correct hygienic habits, a small ray of hope 
may be entertained." 
Dll. AGNEW'S RETURN HOME. 
PpiLADELPHIA, AllgUSt 18, 1881. 
Dr. D. Hayes Agnew arrived from Washington on 
the limited express this afternoon, looking very 
much worn. He politely but positively refused to 
say anything regarding the President's case. He 
went in the evening to his country seat at Haver- 
ford to rest. The last vigil has evidently told on 
him severely. He expects to return to Washington 
to-morrow. NEW VORK HERALD 
of the physicians, and I should not now if the doc- 
tors had not concluded it best to make mention of 
it in their noon bulletin. While admitting the blood 
poisoning, tho doctors say that the supuuration 
which will follow the inflammation caused by an 
abscess will probably relieve tho system ot the 
poison." The facts thus set forth will doubtless be 
of as mi*ch interest as any bulletin that has been 
issued. 
FIRST BULLETIN OF THE DAY. 
Despite the fact that there are those unmistakable 
signs of blood poisoning, the President has passed 
to-day mor s comfortably than any since the last 
prostration. Last night ha slept well, awaking at 
rare intervals, and Anally arousing himself in the 
morning to ray be was much refreshed and that he 
would keep awake for a while or until he fell asleep 
again. This was his little joke. Presently the doc- 
tors began to arrive, and shortly before seven o'clock 
all of them except Dr. Agnew were present. The 
patient was quite cheerful and pleasant, said he had 
slept well and called each ot the surgeons by name 
and shook hands with Dr. Hamilton, who happened 
to be near. Mrs. Garfield had already paid her early 
visit and had spoken with hor husband a few cheer- 
ful words and asked Dr. Boynton, who was near, 
what tho results of '.he night's vigil had been. Dr. 
Boynton replied in substance as just indicated, and 
that moment Dr. Bliss' voice was heard in the cor- 
ridor leading to the chamber occupied 
as the consulting room. Mrs. Gurfield 
came out at once and joined them. After 
they had concluded their examination and before 
they had framed the rei-ort for their half-past eight 
o'clock bulletin she asxed and received their assur- 
ance that this blood poisoning no longer threatened, 
as it had nearly all the day before, to prove tho fatal 
factor in this extraordinary case. Mrs. Garfield, 
much relieved, went back to tho bedside and assisted i 
in giving her husband his usual sponge bath. The 
first bulletin presented that the parotid gland had 
not increased and was free Irom pum and that gen- 
erally the President was more comforta- 
ble than he had been on the day before. ; 
It explained further that nutritive enemata had 
been given as usual and a very small portion of 
liquid food had been taken and retained on the 
stomach. The food taken consisted of about a 
drachm ot liquid extract of beef and a swallow of 
the prepared milk called koumiss, which has been 
such a stay and support to the patient's stomach 
in the days when it was thought that he might pos- 
sibly be approaching convalescence. 
EXTREME WEAKNESS OF THE PATIENT. 
After the other doctors had gone-Dr. Woodward 
taking with him, as usual, some ot the discharge 
from the wound for microscope examination, 
whereby something of the amount of granulation 
may be determined-the President slept a little, and 
at intervals asked for a swallow more of the liquid 
beef food. He was able on one occasion, on culling 
for the food, to take the cup in his hand and carry 
it to his mouth, but the effort was too much, and 
bad not Dr. Boynton, who happened to come into 
tho room just then, caught the hand the teaspoon- 
ful of food that it contained would have gone down 
and over the Presidential night shirt and bosom. 
As the morning sun came up it was apparent that 
the day would be hotter than any of the week, and 
this fact was the starting place for fears that it 
might prove disadvantageous to the suffei^r. Hot 
it certainly was, but fortunately the wind blew from 
a cool quarter, and the extra wagon load of ice with 
which it was proposed to start the Jennings cooler 
was not made use of. At ten o'clock the 
President was sleeping again, and continued 
for an hour without moving and with- 
out any restlessness. When he awoke he 
said his neck hurt a little, and for a time it was 
thought that the swelling in the parotid gland was 
going to make some iur.her trouble, despite the 
promises it had made in the earlier morning to dis- 
appear. It was found that the soreness was only a 
'•kink" that had been caused by sleeping too long in 
one position, and after the patient had moved his 
head about a little it entirely disappeared. 
INCREASED FEVER AT NOON. 
At half-past twelve o'clock the physicians came 
once more to hold their regular consultation and ex- 
amination. 
"Getting better, ain't I?" said the patient, as they 
entered. 
After they had felt his ^ilse, tested his temper- 
ture and discovered what his respiration was they 
concluded to answer in the affirmative. I he bulletin 
issued at that time was a hopeful one. It was given 
a more encouraging color than the one issued in 
tho morning. It presented that there was a per- 
ceptible improvement during the last twenty-tour 
hours, and the swelling of the parotid gland had 
diminished, they thought; at any rate it did not 
pain him any more. Both pulse unit temperature had 
risen, the former from 100 to 106; the latter from 
93.4 to 98.8. This change was immediately regarded 
by many as indicating a return to the state of affairs 
existing ten days or two weeks ago, when every night 
brought its marked febrile symptoms and every 
morning showed their decrease. Those were the 
prevailing conditions when tho last attack began, 
and out of them, it is said by many good physicians. 
arose the serious difficulty of the time. Therefore 
these symptoms are watched with the deepest anx- 
iety. However, Dr. Bliss seemed to think that their 
possible appearance amounted to nothing, and he 
dismissed with a "Pooh, pooh!" a sub- 
ject which other and eminent doctors are 
inclined to consider with concern. When became 
out from the consultation room be spoke with some 
degree of freedom about the other phases of the 
case, and in a general conversation with the corre- 
spondent, who questioned him, said; - 
"Oh, yes; he's getting on splendidly-splendidly." 
It may be remarked, en passant, that Dr. Bliss' 
standing reply to, "How's your patient?" or, 
"Wliat's the condition of the President?" is invari- 
ably, "Splendid," or, "Splendidly." 
DB. BLISS ON THE GLANDULAR ABSCESS. 
"Does he experience any pain from the inflam- 
mation of the gland?" was asked. 
"None to speak of." 
"Has the swelling decreased any?" 
"Yes, it has almost entirely subsided." 
"You don't apprehend any further annoyance 
from the parotid gland?" 
"Ob, no." 
"How is tbe pulse this evening, Doctor?" 
"From 109 to 104 boats, and comparatively firm." 
"Is the temperature any higher?" 
"No, the temperature and respiration aro about 
normal." 
"What nourishment has tfee patient taken to-day?" 
"He has taken from fourteen to sixteen ounces of 
koumiss and milk gruel." 
"Does he still relish the gruel?". 
"Yes, he appears vary fond of it." 
"Do you expect to administer anything besides 
this?" 
"Wo may give him something more later in the 
day." 
"Will it be milk?" 
"Oh, no; wo cannot let him have raw milk yet." 
And the Doctor thus replying hurried off to his 
buggy ana was driven away on his regi^p round of 
visits, for bo keeps up with his practiceso far as he 
can. 
Dr. Hamilton came with him down the stairs, bow- 
ing politely in response to salutations, but declined 
to speak further than tho expressions contained in 
the bulletin, as it to say, "Them's my sen- 
timents, too." It was then after one o'olocK, 
and the Doctor proceeded at once to pre- 
pare for his journey to New York on 
tho three o'clock train. He will return almost 
immediately, however. His errand is to give his 
attention to a very important case iu your city. 
Meanwhile Dr. Agnew will return and remain during 
his confrere's absence, although be too is engaged 
iu the treatment of a serious surgical case near 
Philadelphia that requires all the time and attention 
he can give it. As the afternoon wore on the oc- 
casional reports that drifted out of the aick chamber 
were of an encouraging character. 
WHAT ABOUT THE SICK STOMACH? 
To-night the bulletin which closes the public rec- 
ord of the case for to-day says nothing about the 
condition of the President's stomach. For that 
reason it is considered very unsatisfactory, and the 
doctors could no longer point to their report as pre- 
senting exactly what they thought the public ought 
to know. Notwithstanding this omission iu the re- 
port, tho fact is that the stomach is behaving tolera- 
bly well, and holds on to the small quantities of 
food that are given it with commendable tenacity. 
It has, however, been the particular sub- 
ject ot treatment this afternoon, and although 
the patient has taken food at intervals, he has twice 
b en forced to push it aside when it was brought to 
him. He himself has taken a deep interest in this 
phase of his sickness, seeming to care more about 
it than he over did for tho wound itself. At Qrst he 
took just such food as was given him, and swallowed 
tbe medicines that were brought without question. 
Now, when food is offered, he "consults with him- 
self," and although accepting whatsoever in the 
nature of medicine is offered bejrequently refuses 
the food, and, as I have just said, pushed it 
away twice to-day-not fretfully, however, for 
during all his weary confinement his sunny dis- 
position has never been clouded, and he has made 
no complaint nor has he repined. The parotid giand 
remains swollen, and the doctors have discovered 
that tho impressions they had with regard to a re- 
duction of it at noon were incorrect. The bulletin 
says it was not painful and tho President rested 
easily. '|'his suggested the inquiry to Dr. Bliss if it 
caused any discomfort whatever. He replied "No" 
iu a manner that implied that it was something of 
an inconvenience to the patient, although not much. 
The fact that the pulse had not risen'was regarded 
as a favorable sign, but the rising temperature 
awakens apprehension. Taken lull and large, tho 
feeling about the White House to-night may bo bes^ 
described as panicky, although expressions of hope 
prevail, as indeed they always do, except iu the 
hours when the fatal extremity seems just at band. 
NEW TREATMENT FOR SEPTIC.EMIA. 
If the inflammation ot the parotid gland really 
results from sc-ptictemia it is likely to prove a source 
of great discomfort 'o tbe patient and annoyance to 
the physicians. The nature of this putrescent mat- 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1881. 
{MS TEI42GBAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 19-8:30 A. M. J 
The President slept much of the night, and this I 
morning is more comlortable than yesterday. The 
swelling of the right parotid gland has not increased, 
since yesterday afternoon and is now free from pain. 
Nutritive enemata are still given with success, and 
liquid fpod has already this morning been swal- 
lowed and relished. Pulse, 100; temperature, 98.4; 
respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President's condition has perceptibly im- 
proved during the last twenty-four hours. The 
parotid swelling is evidently diminishing and it has 
not pained him since last night. He is taking to- 
day an increased quantity of liquid food by the 
mouth, which is relished, and produces no gistnc 
irritation. His pulse is now 106; temperature, 
98.8; respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD,' 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-G :30 P. M. 
The President has been easy during the afternoon 
and the favorable conditions reported in the last 
bulletin continue. The swollen parotid gland has ' 
not been painful, the temperature is the same, the 
pulse rather lesk frequent than at this hour yester- 
day. Pulse, 106; temperature, 1G0; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD. 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
kb. beaine's despatches to Europe. 
The following was sent this afternoon:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
At half-past one o'clock this afternoon the con- 
dition of the President is better than at any time in 
the past four days. There Is an increase of hopeful 
feeling in regard to his recovery. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 19-11 P. M, 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
In the judgment of his physicians the President 
has gained since last repoit. He has taken during 
the day twenty-two undoes of liquid food with rel- 
ish and without apparent tendency to nausea or in- 
digestion. Other symptoms are not essentially 
changed. Pulse and temperature possibly a little 
better. The swelling of the parotid gland has not 
increased and fear of its suppuration has somewhat 
diminished. At this hour the President is sloping 
quietly. ' BLAINE, Secretary 
additional hopeful signs. 
The forty-sixth day of the President's illness is 
marked by no new complications, and therefore fur- 
nishes another date for renewed hope. Let it be 
understood, however, that bis condition is very pre- 
carious. A change of an hour may awaken again all 
those apprehensions which his present improve- 
ment is dispelling. Fear and hope succeed each 
other almost hourly. Even here, where the influ- 
ence of the bulletins are most quickly felt, their 
words of cheer are not accepted with any great 
degree of confidence, nor are they generally 
credited as giving the exact condition of the patient. 
The people here turn to sources of more detailed 
information furnished in loss technical phrases. 
This is not always easy to obtain, for the members 
of the household hesitate about showing themselves 
either in the streets or in the executive offices, which 
are always crowded with correspondents who are on 
the qui vire for the lightest word of news.Neverthe- 
less such sources of information are to be reached, 
and the columns of authentic news sent 
over the wires from here, almost any of 
which is as important as anything in 
the bulletins if not as concise, prove it. An ex- 
ample ot this is more forcibly furnished by the 
news brought by Governor Sheldon from the White 
House, which gave important facts concerning the 
last development in the President's condition in 
reference to the swollen parotid gland. After saying 
that the President's condition was encouraging ha 
added that General Garfield was not suffering much 
from the inflammation of the parotid gland, and 
the physicians did not apprehend any serious re- 
sults from it. They came to the conclusion when 
they discovered the inflammation that ho was 
suffering from blood poisoning, but concluded to say 
nothing about it. "The intention was not to bul- 
letin the fact about the parotid gland," said Gov- 
ernor Sheldon, "and Mrs. Garfield told mo to say 
nothing about It when she told me of the conclusion 
I ter is. mJjJtUfqyT-*<> find'its way to bo many 
portions of the body that so soon as one abscess is 
discharged others follow in quick succession. While 
it is essential for the safety of the patient that this 
septic matter should be drained from the system in 
the opening of tile abcesses as they show them- 
selves, yet it would still be better it pyiemic 
contamination were not visible at all. Putrefaction 
in any form shows that the blood is not healthy and 
strong enough to resist septic tendencies. But it 
seems that the attending physicians have abandoned 
the idea of letting the inflammation progress to 
suppuration and then draining it from the. system. 
They are dissipating th* inflammation as it arises, 
and thereby removing the cause of suppuration. 
This treatment is thought well of by out- 
side physicians in the event of its origin- 
ating ironi local causes, such as a cold; 
but to pursue this course when the inflammation 
comes from septicaemia is something novel in sur- 
gical practice. Upon the theory that an empty 
house is better than a bad tenant, it is claimed that' 
the purulent matter in the blood should be allowed 
to gather and then be released by incisions. A sur- 
geon of large practice in this city had a case some 
time since where putrescent matter formed in the 
parotid gland. The patient recovered and experi- 
enced no inconvenience from the loss by this organ. 
These abscesses, when forming at the joints, espe- 
cially largo joints, like the knee, work considerable 
injury, sometimes stiffening the joint and disabling 
the limb. 
MBS. edson's belief in gasfield's becoveby. 
Dr. Susan Edson said to-day, in speaking of the 
late complication in the case-the inflammation of 
the parotid gland-that it was troublesome and very 
painful to the* patient. 
"On Wednesday night Dr. Boynton was sponging 
off the President's face and neck and he noticed 
him wince under the slight pressure as if something 
hurt him. We thought at first it was merely 
a slight stiffness of the muscle, and his 
neck was rubbed a little. But after awhile 
the swelling became apparent, and he 
has since suffered considerably from it. It 
hurt him to swallow, and, besides, the inflammation 
and swelling will not allow him to turn his head 
about as he would wish." 
"What was the treatment?" 
"Hot cloths have been applied constantly with a 
view to reduce the inflammation and not allow it to 
spread. The physicians have not regarded this 
swelling as complicating the case any, except that it 
is unfortunate to have it happen just now in the 
l>atient's weak state. If it should head and burst it 
would be 'good riddance.' " 
"Why was the koumis given him yesterday in pref- 
erence to any other nourishment?" 
"Simply because he wanted it. Dr. Bliss named a 
half dozen different things that he could partake of 
with safety and the President expressed a desire for 
the koamis in preference to anything else. The 
Doctor told him that he would just as soon see him 
take something else to start with, but he again said 
he thought he would like that best. He would gladly 
have taken more than the two spoonsful he was 
given, but was satisfied with the good effects 
that small quantity seemed to have. That and 
about three spoonsful of milk porridge 
was thought, with the beef extrapt, to be a very 
satisfactory portion tor one day, after tbe intense 
loathing he has shown for food for several days 
past. We always regard it as a favorable symptom 
of a healthy reaction in the stomach when he speaks 
of food without any repugnance, and while without 
being hungry in the least degree expresses a relish 
for the small quantities of which he partakes several 
times. Yesterday he said he felt quite comfortable, 
but regretted the face swelling. 'Why,* he said, 'I 
have not any pain now. It it was not for this gland 
swelling I could sit up a little to-day.' In spite of all 
the sickness lately ; the knowledge that the wound 
is healing so nicely gives him great satisfaction and 
hope- Take it all in all he bore himself through the 
bad symptoms of the past week just as bravely and 
patiently as all along. He does not ask to have the 
bulletins read to him any longer, but inquires just 
the same as ever about the state of his temperature 
and pulse. Of course he has not talked much 
lately. Mrs. Garfield spends nearly all the time 
with him now. He likes to have her near him; 
misses her immediately if she should happen to 
leave him for a little while, but insists now and then 
tnat she must take a rest during the day. He 
■watches tne time closely, and will never rest if he 
knows Mrs. Garfield is up after her usual hour for 
retiring at night." 
"You are still hopeful, then. Doctor, of the Presi- 
dent's ultimate recovery?" 
"Yes; myopinion is that he will recover. Ido 
not say when, simply because I do not know; but I 
believe he will get well yet." 
"How is he looking?" 
"Well, this swelling does not improve his facial 
appearance much, but otherwise his skin is moist 
and looks well. It was a kind of a blessing in dis- 
guieo after all, for it diverted bis mind from his 
stomach just as that trouble took his mind from 
his wound. The first trouble, the stomach, weakness 
helped the wound, and now this helps the stomach- 
a kind of nature's remedy as it were." 
PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S DYSPEPSIA. 
To-day Captain Henry, Marshal of the District 
and an old friend of the President, talked with your 
correspondent about the patient's habits of life, and 
more particularly about his dyspepsia. He was an 
old army friend as well, and the two men have been 
intimate for years. "The President," said Marshal 
Henry, "has always been a delightful table com- 
panion. Ho would eat and talk while the others ate 
and listened. No sooner did he come to the table 
than ho began to be entertaining. No one could in- 
terest a table circle like he, and his one little social 
vanity, it it may be so called, was that he delighted 
to shine in conversation, and he always did. This 
was a trait of his earlier days as well as of 
the latter times. I think it was devel- 
oped chiefly at college. In those plain 
New England boarding houses in collegiate 
towns they rarely gave more time to a meal than 
twenty, or at most twenty-five minutes, and as a 
rule they ate from first to last of the meal, and then 
got away from the table as quickly as possible. 
Thus while they ate Garfield talked, bolting his food 
between remarks, and us a result we find him to-day 
a confirmed dyspeptic." 
"Did he ever taik to you about the condition of 
his stomach?" 
"Oh, yes; we have talked of that often and often, 
and ho has always readily admitted that his trouble 
grew out of his own carelessness. I said to him 
once, 'Why do you talk so much while you eat? 
You do not masticate your food properly.' He said 
he knew that, but he would almost as soon have 
a bad stomach as bo quiet at meal ti mes 
He told me then that he was frequently 
required by the pressure of business to go direct 
from the table to his desk and forced to apply him- 
self at once to the work in hand, and that as he 
leaned over his papers his head has burned and 
throbbed so that ho had to lie down for an hour or 
two and have his temples bathed with cold water." 
WANTS TO GO TO MENTOB. 
"Have you seen the President since he was 
wounded?" 
"Not to talk.to him at any length." 
"Do you know whether he talked about his dys- 
pepsia?" 
"No, I do ndt. But he talks about home, lie is 
so homesick that I do not know what he will do if 
presently something is not done to bring him in as- 
sociation with the old farm.'' 
"Have you spoken to him about that?" 
"No; but to-day Mrs. Garfield, in a long conver- 
sation, said that he was hungry for Mentor and that 
he hates the White House. She says that as soon as 
he is able to make the land journey he shall be taken 
to Mentor and remain there until he can walk 
around and bo altogether well." 
"It has been said that he should go to the Sol- 
diers' Home when he could be moved (if he ever got 
well enough to move)?'' 
"No; be wants either to take a short sea trip or to 
go to Mentor. He thinks-or, rather, before this 
last relapse he thought-that he could be carried to 
the river, where he could be taken on board the Tal- 
lapoosa or Dispatch, by going in a large hammock 
carried by twenty mon or so walking in regular 
step. In fact, the General of the Army had 
some men drilling to so transport him. 
The General said he could be carried with- 
out knowing be was moving, provided his 
eyes were kept closed for any distance which cue 
squad of men could walk. He begged Mrs. Garfield 
to take him to the Soldiers' Home, but she said 
that when he left the sick chamber to take a jour- 
ney it would be to Mentor, if it were not for a short 
sea voyage." 
"Since his last relapse has he had any letters of 
his mother or sister read to him?" • 
"None. He asked Mrs. Garfield to-day how his 
mother was and it s.be had written to him regularly. 
He was told that she had, and they asked him if they 
should read him what she had written." 
"'Read me the last letter, please,'be whispered 
in reply. When they had done so he was asked if 
they should read any more, and he indicated not 
thou. But he has heard all of those that were re- 
ceived from his mother." 
REDUCED IN FLESH. 
"When you saw him the other day what im- 
pression aid you get of the change in his appear- 
ance?" 
"Well, his face does not show it so much as you 
might imagine. Mrs. Garfield, talking about him, 
said that be was much wasted away in the body, 
bu that he had been down two or three weeks be- 
fore showing any signs of losing flesh. Then he 
lost flesh very fast." 
"And has ho lost as much as sixty pounds ?" 
"I dare say that he has lost seventy-five-perhaps 
more." . 
"Is it true that his voice has gone?" 
"No, although he speaks only in a whisper as a 
rule, which can be heard half way across the room. 
When he does speak the tones of his voice, although 
very low, are quite distinct. Since this last spell he 
has not spoken above a whisper. One of the things 
which impresses me most forcibly as to his weakness 
is that he has never since he was shot asked to be 
read to. Formerly the first thing he sought to have 
done for him when he came home was for his wife 
or somebody else to read to him. Not even 
when he seemed to be on the road to re- 
covery did he care to have anything read 
except the letters of his mother and 
family. Sometimes he expresses a desire 
to see some of his old friends. He often asks about 
Hindale, the president of Hiram College, and won- 
ders when he will see him or some of his other old 
friends. This he has not done so much in the last 
three days. To-day he has laid quiet most of the 
time, often putting his baud to the back of his neck, 
which seems to give him some pain." 
"Has Mrs. Garfield ever felt that he would not 
live-has she ever given up hope?" 
"Not once. Nor did she on Tuesday give up hope 
when everybody else in the White House thought 
there was none. To-day she came from the sick 
chamber smiling. I know she has deep apprehen- 
sions, but she conceals them well, and certainly has 
never relinquished hope altogether." 
MARSHAL HENRY DELIGHTED. 
When Marshal Henry again came out of the private 
portion of the Executive Mansion about half-past 
eight o'clock this evening, he said the President was 
doing very nicely. "The doctors have just informed 
me that he is progressing more rapidly than was 
really expected. He has taken considerable nourish- 
ment to-day with apparent relish, and it has been 
retained without causing the least discomfort. The 
President is resting comfortably and there is every 
indication of his passing a good night. I am 
highly pleased with the information I have just 
received. It is a great deal more encouraging than I 
had anticipated. While everything looks so cheer- 
ing and favorable now, it will be many days before 
the President is entirely out of danger. There may 
arise new complications which will throw him back 
again, but the doctors say there is not the slightest 
indication of such a thing. The doctors are not too 
sanguine over the rapid strides he is making toward 
recovery, but they entertain the brightest hopes. I 
am highly pleased with what I have heard to-night, 
and I only trust that every one else feels as confi- 
dent as I do." 
dr. Boynton's evening report. 
Dr. Boynton, speaking of the condition of the 
President to-night, said the patient's bowels were a 
little disturbed to-day, but were kept in check. This 
was not, "however," severe enough to cause any 
uneasiness. When asked how the kidneys per- 
formed their functions he replied that they worked 
quite naturally and showed no unfavorable signs. 
The Doctor also stated that the attending physicians 
weredoing all in their power to dissipate the inflam- 
mation of the parotid gland and their efforts 
in this direction were meeting with flatter- 
ing success, tor the swelling has gone down to such 
an extent that is not over one-third the size it was 
last night. The soreness has disappeared, and the 
President now feels scarcely any pain from this 
source this evening. The pain was vory severe, 
though, up to this morning, causing the patient to 
pass a very restless niyht. 
"Do you think," asked your correspondent, "that 
it is good treatment to scatter this inflammation 
rather than allow it to suppurate and then be dis- 
charged?" 
"Of course," answered the Doctor, "it would be 
better to discharge it in this way if it did not draw 
so hoaviiy on the patient's vitality. A thorough 
pnocess of suppuration would do more harm than it 
could work good. The hot bags of water and the 
other applications are doing the work well. The 
President talked very little to-day. Of course this 
new complication has mads him quieter than be- 
fore. He has taken more than doable the quantity 
of nourishment he partook of yesterday and it has 
not caused the slightest trouble. His food has been 
equal parts of koumiss and milk, porridge and a lit- 
tle bef tea. The enemata are still kept up. They 
will be continued for soma time to come. There is 
a marked improvement in the patient's condition 
this evening and he is doing very well," 
MEDICAL CRITICISM. 
To-night the physicians who were deprived of 
the advice and attendance of the consulting sur- 
geons considered the criticism in the London Lan- 
cet of the President's condition cabled here to-day. 
They agreed that, eminent as the authority was, 
correct as were the deductions predicated on what 
it knew, there was some light to be given oven to 
the Lancet. a matter of fact the doctors have 
become very impatient of newspaper criticism. 
While they profess to ignore it they do not seem 
able to find in the eminent organ of their profes- 
sion the editorial support that seems to be unani- 
mously withheld in this country. 
MESSAGE FROM THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCH. 
The following communication has been received 
from the Patriarch of the Armenians in Turkey:- ' 
Mr. President-Providence, which watches over 
the days of virtuous men in the service of free 
countries, has saved the illustrious President of the 
United States from the cowardly attempt against 
his life. As a servant of the Armenian Church, 
who prays daily lor all the chiefs of Christendom, 
I hasten to express to you my most sincere 
felicitations. The Armenian Church, so little I 
known in America, is an ancient Church which, in [ 
Asia and in the midst of non-Christian peoples, has observed with a heroic perseverance the Gospel or 
Christ and that spirit of religious tolerafcce which 
the Armenians consider as the basis of truly under- 
stood Christianity. This Church has consolation in 
its misfortune on seeing the fortunate liberty en- 
joyed by other Christian nations, and it rejoices in 
their prosperity. As a representative of the Arme- 
nians of Turkey I am happy to avail myself 
of this occasion, Mr. President, to be the 
channel of conveyance to you of the sentiments 
of high admiration which my nation feels for the 
government and the people of the United States » 
government which lealizos all the dreams of friends 
of liberty and a people whose philanthropy obeys 
the highest precepts of religion and morality. In- 
voking the benediction of Heaven upon you and 
upon the people whose destinies you so nobly rule, 
aud praying the All Powerful to hold your precious 
life in His keeping, I have the honor to be, Mr. Presi- 
dent, your humble servant in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
ARCH BISHOP NERCES, 
Armenian Patriarchate, Constantinople, Coum- 
cavon, July 23, 1881. 
APPREHENSIONS STILL FELT. 
To-night, at the hour of closing these despatches, 
the feeling of apprehension and fear is apparent on 
all sides, and particularly in official circles. Al- 
though there is no certain knowledge afloat upon 
which to rest a hopeless opinion nevertheless there 
are rumors, and as the last bulletin is read and 
studied the reason for them is not so far off. It is 
also true that the physicians of the city, including 
those who meet and talk with the attending sur- 
geons daily, find themselves entirely unable to 
join in their hopeful opinions, and one of them re- 
ferring to it noted how no advanced a little but re- 
ceded more. In a record of the daily variation of the 
pulse as kept in the Herald Bureau it is BL'own 
that during the past thirteen days, in which time 
thirty-nine bulletins were issued, it fell below 100 
only four times. One of these minimum showings 
was this week, and the other three belong to the 
first three days in the morning.and noon reports of 
last week. 
ANOTHER EVIL TO BE FEARED. 
The next complication in the President's case to 
be feared is a looseness of the bowels, symptoms of 
which have already appeared. It was to be ex- 
pected for the reason that it is peculiar to the con- 
dition he is in, and may be probably aggravated by 
the enemata which would be expected to produce a 
partial paralysis of the muscular fibres of the rec- 
tum and possible involuntary discharges. Such 
a conditio u is reasonable ground for further 
apprehension. It is to be remembered that food 
has beeu administered during the past forty-eight 
hours in the usual way, while enemata have also 
been continued. It becomes a question whether the 
latter can be longer retained. In a very short time 
it will bo developed how serious this new trouble is 
in the President's case. It is expecting too much 
of nature that food can thus be continued per orem 
and per anum. He must either be nourished 
by enemata or by tho stomach. The double 
function is not provided for physiologically. 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETIN. 
Executive Mansion, August 19-11 P. M. 
Said one of the attending surgeons, when ap- 
proached with a question on the subject this even- 
ing, "The President has made sensible improve 
ment to-day." 
Dr. Boynton, in conversation regarding the Presi- 
dent's condition, says he is improving gradually. 
"How is the trouble in the parotid gland?" was 
asked the Doctor. 
"It is apparently diminishing." was his response. 
"Does the patient experience any annoyance from 
it still?" 
"Yes, it causes some pain yet, but the swelling 
has subsided so that it is scarcely perceptible." 
"Do you apprehend suppuration from it?" 
"Possibly; but it is uot probable, now that the 
inflammation has been scattered." 
"Does the President manifest a desire to eat?" 
"He has nothing like a sharp appetite yet, but he 
takes his nourishment without hesitancy." 
"He still enjoys the gruel Mrs. Garfield prepares 
tor him, I suppose?" 
"Yes." 
" What do you regard as the most important fea- 
ture of the case at present. Doctor?'-' 
••The condition of the stomach is undoubtedly 
the most important feature now." 
"I suppose it is rather early to expect any per- 
ceptible increase in the patient's strength?" 
"Yes, he is still very weak. ' 
DR. BLISS THINKS OTHERWISE. 
This afternoon Dr. Bliss was asked if the Presi- 
dent had auy malarious symptoms. "No," said he, 
"none at all.' 
"Has he had a comfortable day generally speak- 
ing?" 
"Yes, herhas had a very comfortable day." 
"Has he slept much?" 
"Considerably." 
"And still retains the food without any annoy- 
ance?" 
"^es, sir." 
-Do you expect any suppuration fromithe inflam- 
mation of the parotid gland?" 
"Why, the inflammation is subsiding, and there is 
no pus in it; there's nothing to suppurate." 
'•Isn't there danger of its appearing in another 
locality 1" 
"Wo do not think so." 
The Doctor was pressed for his theory of the in- 
flamed gland and did not deny that it was a fair 
assumption to believe that the saliva had secreted 
in the gland to an unnatural extent during the time 
the patient was not taking nourishment through 
his mouth. 
"But," said he, "I have my own theory about it. 
It is unimportant to the public, however. You will 
remember that I told you at the commencement it 
was an unimportant complication, excepting the 
annoyance it caused the patient, and my predictions 
have already been verified." 
Dr. Bliss told the President's barber to-day<hat he« 
would soon be able to resume his duties on the 
patient. 
Dr. Bliss left the White House a few minutes 
before ten o'clock to meet Dr. Agnew, who arrived 
at ten minues past ten P. M. He said before leaving 
the mansion that the President was very quiet; that 
ho had taken twenty-two ounces of koumiss and 
milk gruel during the day, and would probably take 
more later. The enemata are still continued with 
satisfactory results. 
"The discharge from the wound," the Doctor said, 
"although considerably reduced in quantity, still 
flows as freely as is necessary, aud the pus is of a 
perfectly healthy character." 
In reply to a question relative to the administra- 
tion of morphia. Dr. Bliss said that the President 
had uot been under the influence of opiates for more 
than a week. 
All the members of the Cabinet were at the White 
House to-night aud had the case fully explained to 
' them by Dr. Heyburn. The Doctor said that while 
I it was possible for compileitions to occur, there 
were no indications of any at present, and that the 
patient was doing as well as could be expected. The 
pulse to-night is 10G and the temperature and respi- 
ration about normal. 
The house was closed before eleven o'clock, and 
the prospects are that the patient will pass a coni' 
fortable night.. 
[Unofficial.] 
Executive Mansion-Midnight. 
At half-past eleven to-night Dr. Bliss was ques- 
tioned concerning a rumon in circulation here to- 
night to the effect that the wound ha.l been probed 
within a day or two to a depth of eleven inches. 
The Doctor replied that there was no truth 
in the rumor, that nothing like a probe had 
entered the wound since the curved in- 
strument was inserted when the last surgi- 
cal operation was performed, nearly two weeks 
ago. A c eansing tube only, he said, had been 
inserted at each dressing of the wound, and this had 
never entered beyond a depth of three and a hatf 
inches from the mouth of the last incision. - 
WHAT DR. HAMMOND HAS TO SAY IN ANSWEB 
TO HIS CRITICS-HIS OPINIONS RELATIVE TO 
THE PkBSIDENT's CONDITION. 
A reporter of the Herald called yesterday upon 
Dr. William A. Hammond at his residence. No. 43 
West Fifty-fourth street, to see what reply he had to 
make to the strictures published in a despatch from 
Washington upon the position he is alleged to have 
taken in his comments relative to the case of the 
President. The Doctor was in a very ge'nial mood. 
He expressed his willingness to give his side of tin 
case, and in doing so said it would simply be a plain 
and succinct statement of incontrovertible facts. 
"Of course I have lived long enough, "remarked 
the Doctor, "not to give any attention to the many 
animadversions made against me, springing, as they 
most always do, from envy or jealousy. But somt 
of the statements in this special Washington de- 
spatch are too serious to pass idly by, and I am 
therefore, glad to give you the facts. In the first 
place comes the assertion that I sent two telegrams 
asking to be retained on the medical staff in attend- 
ance on the President. This is false. On the morn- 
ing after the assassination, simply from motives of 
duty and respect, I sent a telegram to Postmastei 
General James, a personal friend of mine, asking, 
'Can I be of any service?' At the same time I sent 
another telegram to the Secretary of War, an offi- 
cial telegram, also asking, 'Can I be of any 
service?' In this despatch I signed my name aa 
'Surgeon General, United States Army, retired.' To 
both telegrams I received answers thanking me for 
my kind offer of services, with a further statement 
that physicians were then in attendance and holding 
a consultation. I did not know when I sent the 
telegrams that doctors were in consultation. I had 
no desire to be in the case. Nor have I had any 
such desire since. For the past seventeen years 1 
have not practised surgery, except in my specialty, 
My services I offered from kindness to and respect 
for the President, whom I have always regarded pt 
a friend. I only did what I considered to be a part 
of my duty as an officer of the army. In all my 
statements upon the treatment of the President ] 
never said one word disapprovingly of either Dr. 
Hamilton or Dr. Agnew. I regard them as first class 
men, aud have the utmost respect lor them socially 
and professionally, and believe they are as compe- 
tent to manage the case as anybody. 
THE FIRST GREAT ERROR. 
"The grievous errors were committed before they 
came into the case. The first great error was a neg- 
lect to make a thorough examination of the wound. 
There was neglect to remove the pieces of cloth and 
broken bone, a neglect to discover that any ribs 
were broken and a neglect to find the ball and to 
remove it if possible. They found a wound oppo- 
site the President's liver and assumed that the ball 
had gone through the liver and into bis peritomtal 
cavity. Acting on that assumption, they announced 
that the President had one chance in a hundred of 
liviug, and consequently made no thorough explo- 
ration. If the wound had been in his liver and the 
bullet in his peritomtal cavity their treatment 
would have been all right. As it was, they went 
by guesswork, as shown by the fact that 
the bullet did not touch the liver and 
the peritonital cavity was uninjured. These were 
mistakes; but I have never said that they did them 
knowingly. They were mistakes from proper mo- 
tives, but nevertheless mistakes. I never indulged 
in any invectives or harsh language toward the at- 
tending surgeons, and if any such appears attrib- 
uted to me they are interpolations and not my 
language. I did say this, that Dr. Barnes had not, 
in my opinion, treated a case of gunshot wound 
since the Mexican war, and that when Dr. Bliss said 
the President was not suffering from dyspepsia he 
simply spoke bosh, and so it is. In this 
special despatch it is stated that I was re- 
stored to the army and placed on the retired 
list as Surgeon General and Brigadier General 
< without pay or allowance. That is true, but I 
waived the pay and allowances and made no claim 
to them, I am on the retired list exactly as any 
| other officer is, with restoration of my full rank in 
the service. The idea that I can be tried for disre- 
| spect to my superior officer. Dr. Barnes, is pre- 
eminently absurd. I am his superior officer, and I 
owe him no more official respect than I do to any 
other junior officer. Neither is he entitled to the 
sbghtest social or delicate consideration in any way. 
Courtesy end delicacy from me to him would be 
idiotic superfluities of which I don't propose to be 
guilty. I have never said anything as to his private 
character and neither have I any disposition to do 
so at'present. As to Dr. Woodward, I did say that he 
had not treated a case of gunshot wound in 
the last eighteen years, and I may say any 
other wound. I placed him in the position he now 
occupies, a position he has filled to his honor and 
credit, for he is a very scientific and able man and 
he will be the last one to contend that he is a mili- 
tary surgeon in the ordinary acceptation of the 
word. I know who the author of this despatch is. 
It bears unmistakable evidence of its origin. It 
comes irom a medical officer of the army. Dr. Basil 
Norris, who is on duty in Washington attending 
officers and their families, a position to which I as- 
signed him nearly twenty years ago. It is evident 
that he has been there too long. If there is any 
court martikl in the ease it will be on him for his 
disrespect to mo, his superior officer, and if 
any one is guilty of conduct unbecoming 
an officer and a gentleman it is a man 
who makes false charges against a brother officer 
and dare not put his name to them. In an interview 
by a reporter with Dr. Bliss, published yesterday, 
the Doctor is quoted as saying that he aided me 
when I was in trouble. Perhaps he did, and if he 
did I am very much obliged to him. But as it seems 
to be in order at the present time to remind one of 
services rendered, perhaps Dr. Biiss will call to mind 
a very important service which I once rendered him 
and a far greater service than any he was able to 
render me." 
HE NEVER SAID THE PRESIDENT WAS CERTAIN TO DIB. 
"And now as regards the present condition of the 
President and h:s treatment, I wish to say, as I have 
said before over my own signature, that I 
believe since Drs. Hamilton and Agnew have 
been in attendance on the case the treatment 
has generally been judicious and the exceptions to 
tills occurred during their absence. I believe the 
treatment now is judicious, and has been so except 
during the first forty-eight hours of the treatment. 
I have never said the President was certain to die, 
and I do not believe now, when he is at his very 
worst, that he is certain to die. The attending sur- 
geons during the first twenty-four hours gave him 
one chance in a hundred of recovering. I have 
never , put his chances as low as that, and do not 
think they are as low as that now, and 1 regard them 
now worse than they ever have been; but I think it 
is an insult to the medical profession and to the 
people of the United States for Dr. Bliss to reply, 
when asked ii the inflammation of the parotid 
gland had any relation to pyaemia to reply, 
'None whatever; it has no more relation to 
pyaemia than if his nose was to bleed. Thus far not 
the first symptom of pyaemia has.maae itself ap- 
parent. I think he has passed all danger of pyremia.* 
Such statements cannot help but make those who 
know better express the opinions they entertain. 
Now, it is just as possible for a surgeon in New 
York to tell what constitutes pyaemia as for any sur- 
geon in Washington to do it. I have talked witli a 
great many surgeons in this city on the subject, and 
I have not met a single one but believes that the 
President has py&mia. I have been abused per- 
sonally by D*. Bliss and his adherents„and I have 
submitted to it pretty quietly ,up to this time, 
but 1 am not disposed to do so much longer. 
I have felt strongly in this matter be- 
cause General Garfield before he was mad« 
President showed himself to be my friend, 
and I believe in sticking to a friend. I have fell 
that he was not properly treated in the first in- 
stance. I have not hesitated to say so, and I will not 
hesitate to say so till I get satisfactory evidence to 
the contrary. Then I will take it all back and not 
till then, and confess that 1 was mistaken." 
. Septicaemia. and Pyaemia. 
Dr. Bliss, who is almost as remarkable 
for a buoyant tone of mind in adverse cir- 
cumstances as was the late Mr. Tapley, of 
'happy memory, says that the President is 
"getting on splendidly," that the trouble 
with the parotid gland has "almost entirely 
subsided," and that the gland will cause no 
further annoyance. That is good news, 
unless it is to be apprehended that the evil 
suppressed at that point will reappear at 
some other; and this possibility is not to 
be forgotten as presenting the essential 
point of the real difficulty as to this com- 
plication, for an inflamed salivary gland 
may be of no great moment if the trouble is to end when that gland is well, but must 
he of moment if it is indicative of poisoned 
blood, for then the trouble will reappear 
elsewhere. Is there pyaemia? 
It appears that two of the doctors ad- 
mitted to the President's bedside now admit 
that he has pyaemia, but they prefer to call 
it by what they seem to imagine the milder 
name of septicaemia. Dr. Hamilton is re- 
ported by the Evening Post to have "ad- 
mitted to a friend" that there was septi- 
caemia, and Dr. Boynton said the President 
had septicaemia, "not pyaemia." Now, what 
is there in this distinction? If one says 
that a patient has septicaemia, but not 
pyaemia, this is simply . a declaration 
that the patient's blood is poisoned 
by the absorption of some putrid or 
putrescent material, but that that mate- 
rial is not pus. Well, as a matter of 
fact, what other putrescent substance is 
there involved in this case than what is 
to be found in the wound, and if anything 
is absorbed from the wound who shall say 
that it is not pus? It does not, of course, 
make the slightest possible difference what 
the offending substance may be. Any 
tissue or fluid of an animal nature that 
putrefies and is absorbed poisons the sys- 
tem in substantially the same way. Ihe 
facts are the same, the symptoms are the 
same, the results are the same, and the 
names merely involve a theory that pus is 
not the only cause of a difficulty once sup- 
posed to be caused by it alone. They are 
used as synonyms-pyaemia (pyohemie) was 
Piorry's word ; septicaemia was Vogel's 
word; ichorrmmia was Virchow's word. 
Each investigator give the same group of 
symptoms a different name. 
But it appears that Dr. Hamilton not only 
admitted that this trouble was present, but 
"left the impression that the reason why 
the statement was not made in the bulletins 
was becausa it might excite unnecessary 
alarm, and also because of the adverse crit- 
icism which might be expected from those 
physicians who have been continually as- 
serting that the President was suffering 
from blood poisoning." This explanation 
explains, but it is not creditable. 
They should not have cared for crit- 
icism, and the Herald, which first 
called their attention to the existence of 
the pyaemic symptoms-and was laughed at 
by them-is not inspired by the kind of 
motives that could have induced one to 
laugh at them in turn when they at last 
were compelled to admit their error. 
But if, as Dr. Bliss holds, the trouble in 
the gland has been dispersed, then what be- 
comes of the point made by Dr. Hamilton 
in the conversation referred to, that "the 
poison might be expected to pass from the 
system trough the abscess" which was to 
form in the gland? If the poison was to 
pass out in that way, why disperse the 
congestion and prevent the abscess? 
medicine and surgery who is more reticent 
in speaking of his professional experience 
or criticising the course of treatment pur- 
sued by others than the venerable Dr. 
John L. Atlee, of this city. Although he 
was the first to practically demonstrate the 
safety and success of that most critical and 
difficult of surgical operations, ovariotomy, 
his repugnance to having his name paraded 
in the newspapers has been such that re- 
porters long since learned to give him a 
wide berth in collecting information of 
even his most noted cases, and they sought 
their facts from friends of the patients or 
other physicians who had been present at 
his operations. 
It was therefore with some misgivings 
that the editor of The New Era ventured 
the effort to elicit the views of Dr. Atlee in 
regard to the condition and treatment of 
the President, in whose recovery we knew 
he has all along felt a deep interest, 
amounting at times to painful anxiety. 
Besides, ever since the President's illness, 
and particularly during the crises through 
which he has passed, we have, times without 
number, been asked what were Dr. Atlee's 
views of the treatment and his opinions of 
the chances of recovery. Having been 
deeply impressed with the views of Dr. 
Broadus, of Louisiana, who has practiced 
thirty years in the malarial regions of the 
South, and who gave it as his decided opin- 
ion that malarial poisoning has been a 
prominent factor in the causes which have 
reduced the President to his present condi- 
tion, and recollecting that Dr. Atlee had 
some discouraging experience with "White 
House malaria" many years ago, we were 
particularly desirous of ascertaining, if 
possible, his views on this important point. 
Last evening we found the doctor in his 
office, having j nst returned from Chester 
county, where he had been summoned by 
telegraph in the morning, to relieve a 
brother physician from a painful disa- 
bility with which he had been prostrated. 
Only a few dajs ago Dr. Atlee returned 
from a two weeks rest at Sea Girt, which 
he regards as the most delightful quiet 
summer resort on the Atlantic coast; and 
it would be difficult for a stranger to re- 
alize that the well-preserved and active 
gentleman before us had been pursuing the 
practice of medicine and surgery for a 
period of over sixty-one years; but such is 
nevertheless the fact, the doctor having 
passed his eighty-first birthday last No- 
vember. 
After prescribing for several patients who 
had been awaiting his return, we ventured 
to ask- 
"Doctor, what do you think of the Presi- 
dent's condition, his treatment and chances 
of recovery?" 
The White House Malaria. 
"I notice by the latest official bulletins I 
have seen that the President is doing well 
and has perceptibly improved during the 
past twenty-four hours, and that he is 
taking an increased quantity of nourish- 
ment without subsequent nausea or indica- 
tions of gastric irritation. The healing of 
the wound, all accounts agree, is progress- 
ing favorably, and there is nothing con- 
nected with its condition to account for the 
continued fever and the great prostration 
of the past few days. There are good 
reasons for believing that the President is 
suffering from the malaria which is known 
to prevail in the vicinity of the White 
House, and that had he been removed to 
some healthy locality, such as the Soldiers' 
Home, he would now be far advanced to- 
ward convalescence. The fact that several 
of the attendants at the White House have 
been stricken down with malarial fever 
shows that malaria prevails there, and 
there is no valid reason for supposing that 
the President, in his prostrated condition, 
has escaped from its morbific influence; 
on the contrary, some of the most marked 
symptoms in his case can be accounted for 
in that way." 
Illustrations of Malarial Folsonlng. 
" I understand, Doctor, that some years 
ago you had experience with the deadly 
effects of the malaria which surrounds the 
White House at this season of the year ?" 
"Yes; the case of the poor President 
recalled the fact that about the first of 
July, 1858, I performed the operation of 
ovariotomy on Mrs. Diebitch, of Washing- 
ton, removing an ovarian cyst weighing 
49f pounds. The operation was performed 
here in Lancaster, and was one of the most 
successful I ever had, the patient possess- 
ing a remarkably vigorous constitution. 
She returned to Washington in excellent 
health. Unfortunately, her residence was 
about midway between the Potomac river 
and the White House, and about this sea- 
son of the year she was attacked with ma- 
larial fever, and although she was skillfully 
treated by the family physician, Dr. Alex. 
Garnett, the disease proved fatal. There is 
every reason for believing that had she not 
been subjected to the malarial influence of 
the Potomac, she would have remained well. 
"I recall one or two local cases which 
bear on this subject of malarial poisoning. 
In the year 1823, when I was one of the four 
physicians to the Lancaster County Hos- 
pital, that institution was so crowded with 
laborers who had been working on the 
Conestoga navigation, then in course of 
construction, and were stricken down with 
malarial fever, that a number of them 
had to be put in the basement of 
the Poor House building. One of the 
other physicians, then serving his 
quarterly turn, became prostrated him- 
self with the disease, and I was called to 
take his place. He complained to me that 
the usual remedies failed to take effect and 
that the patients were daily growing worse. 
An investigation satisfied me of their 
unhealthy surroundings, to which I at- 
tributed the obstinacy of the disease. I 
at once caused the attic of the hospital 
to be cleared of the rubbish stored there, 
had it thoroughly cleansed, new beds put 
in, and some dozen or more of the worst 
cases carried to their new quarters. A 
great improvement at once began to mani- 
fest itself; they rapidly convalesced, and 
were discharged cured. Thus, prompt re- 
moval from the exciting cause of the dis- 
ease did what the best medication had 
failed to accomplish. 
"And in 1851, when they were making 
the excavations for the east reservoir, the 
breaking up of the ground caused malaria, 
as it frequently does, and the disease took 
an endemic form, as many as fifteen per- 
sons having been under treatment at one 
time in the immediate neighborhood. 
"Knowing how .important a factor the 
presence of malaria is in a case of prostra- 
tion like the President's, and that there 
are few worse localities for generating it 
than the vicinity of the White House, I 
think the only mistake of the medical at- 
tendants of the President is that they do 
not cause his removal to a more healthy 
locality." 
The Surgical Treatment Endorsed, 
"I-cU, Doctor, you fully approve of the 
treatment the President has received in all 
other respects." 
"Yes; there has been, in my opinion, no 
mistake made in the surgical treatment the 
President has received, and the adverse 
criticisms upon the doctors in that respect 
have been uncalled for and unjust, and 
sometimes foolish. The attending and con- 
sulting physicians have shown more than 
mere professional devotion to their patient. 
They are able, skillful and experienced 
gentlemen and deeply feel their responsi- 
bility, in view of what the whole country 
expects of them. Several of them are per- 
sonally known to me, and I have felt justly 
indignant at the criticisms that have been 
passed upon them." 
The Doctor uttered the closing remark 
with more than his usual animation, show- 
ing that he deeply felt what he said. 
Acute Parotitis Dangerous. 
"There seems to have been considerable 
differences of opinions among medical men, 
and some apprehension in the public mind, 
in regard to the inflammation of the parotid 
gland. Do you regard it as a serious com- 
plication in this case ?" 
"I have seen many cases of parotitis-a 
large majority of which occurred during the 
existence of malarial or bilious fever ; and 
where the inflammation was very acute, it 
frequently proved fatal. But I am glad to 
see by the last reports that in the Presi- 
dent's case the inflammation is subsiding." 
The President Should be Moved. 
"Doctor, do you think it practicable and 
safe to remove the President in his present 
weak condition?" 
"Undoubtedly: With a properly con- 
structed palanquin or litter,' borne on the 
shoulders of a detachment of veteran ma- 
rines, he could be moved so gently that he 
would scarcely be conscious of having been 
disturbed. I have known patients to be 
moved in that way, after the most debili- 
tating operations had been performed, with- 
out the least injurious effects, and that too 
without having the advantage of men 
trained to keep step with the precision 
of machines, as the United States ma- 
j x hmmt, Mdisor. 
BHTKiUB AT TUX POST OmOL AT hANCAHTICb, 
▲a S»eond-Cl*«s «ail MaUav. 
SATURDAY EVENING, AUG. 20, 1881. 
THE NATIONAL PATIENT. 
DR. ATLEE ON WHITE HOUSE MALARIA. 
He Endorses the Surgical Treatment of the 
President, and Thinks the Only Error 
Was In Not Removing Him 
From the White House. 
Doubtless there is no other member of 
the medical profession who has attained to 
equal eminence in a life-long practice of ' rines are. I repeat that, in my judg- 
ment, the failure to remove him from the 
White House was the only mistake in the 
management of the case, and it is not too 
late to rectify it. The government is very 
censurable for not having long ago taken 
measures for improving the sanitary con- 
dition of the vicinity, regardless of cost; 
for it is not a fit place for the President of 
a great nation to live in during the malarial 
season, even when in robust health." 
"Have you seen the reported interview 
with Dr. Broadus, published on Tuesday, 
in regard to this malarial poisoning ? His 
views seem to accord very closely with your 
own ?" 
The Doctor said he had not, and we read 
as follows from the Herald of Tuesday: 
Dr. Broadus Also Says "Malaria." 
Dr. Broadus, of Louisiana, who is visit- 
ing in Washington, whose practice as a 
leading physician in his section covers a 
period of thirty years and who has been 
long and prominently identified with the 
management of the Howard Association, 
was asked, in view of what information 
had been given out as to the pathology of 
the President's case, to what he would 
ascribe his present unfavorable condition. 
In reply the doctor said: 
"I have carefully examined everything 
bearing on the President's case that has been 
given to the public. Much of my experi- 
ence as a physician has been gained in the 
malarious districts of the South, and it has 
been a line of my practice to which I 
have necessarily been compelled to devote 
much thought. More than once it has 
been suggested that malarial poisoning has 
been a prominent factor in the causes which 
have reduced the President to his present 
condition. Case after case of intermittent 
fever has occurred in the White House 
while he has been lying wounded within its 
walls, and the cases have been attributed 
to fatigue and prostration with nervous 
excitement. Who can have been as much 
fatigued and prostrated, and who can have 
had as much nervous excitement as the 
President himself ? 
"Why, then, must we entertain the idea 
that he has been proof against this insidi- 
ous morbific influence? We have been in- 
formed by the attending physicians that 
suppuration is always accompanied by 
fever and that this fever always comes 
on in the afternoon. This information 
is sufficient and well tuned for the 
masses, but it is not sufficient for the 
medical men of the country. Evidently 
such knowledge did not satisfy the physi- 
cians in attendance, for at different times 
they have administered quinia, thus mani- 
festing an apprehension that there might 
be malarial complications. For what other 
condition of things could or should they 
have administered this drug in what is 
supposed to be anti- periodic does ? 
A Medical Marriage Without Xssue. 
"From this fact it is evident that these 
gentlemen have concluded that there was 
no malaria in the case because the quinia 
did not put an end to the fever thus periodi- 
cally recurring, and it would have been 
natural enough that this conclusion should 
obtain but for one or two things which 
seem to have been overlooked. First, as 
far as we can learn from printed reports, 
whether official or otherwise, the doses of 
quinia have been altogether too small to 
justify the belief that its use has proved 
that there is no malarial poisoning. Sec- 
ond, admitting that the quinia was admin- 
istered for some other purpose than to 
break the periodicity of the fever, and that 
for weeks the suppurating process was suf- 
ficient to account for the afternoon access 
of fever and exacerbation of all the symp- 
toms, has it not been evident for several 
days that the regular march of the fever 
has been interrupted, and that the Presi. 
dent, instead of being ' better ' every 
morning, ' his fever having passed off 
during the night,' has really been having 
two paroxysms of fever every twenty-four 
hours ? 
"If the official bulletins may be relied 
upon (and I do implicitly rely upon their 
truthfulness),it is plain that the President's 
case has been complicated with intermit- 
tent fever, latterly if not from the begin- 
ning, and that now the malarial poisoning 
is manifesting itself in the form of a double 
quotidian, with gastric congestion. If in 
any one day of the past two or three weeks 
forty or fifty grains of quinia had been ad- 
ministered to the President without pro- 
ducing a decidedly beneficial impression 
we might safely admit that there have been 
no malarial complications. But with three 
grains three times a day, the experiment 
(for it was an experiment) has been a mar- 
riage, between homoeopathy and allopathy 
without issue." 
After carefully scanning the extract, Dr. 
Atlee said that although he did not know 
Dr. Broadus, he fully endorsed his views 
on the malarial aspect of the case, and pro- 
nounced the article an exceedingly clear 
and temperate review of the situation. 
Arrearages of professional duties pressing 
upon the doctor's time, we did not push our 
inquiries further in the direction of his 
opinions of the President's chances of recov- 
ery, although the tone of his conversation 
was that of hopeful encouragement. NEW YORK HERALD 
"July 18 
102 
100.7 
21 
July 19 
96 
99.8 
19 
July 20 
98 
99.6 
19 
July 21 
96 
99.9 
19 
July 22 
98 
100.2 
19 
July 23 
130 
101.7 
July 24 
118 
99.8 
23 
July 25; 
104 
98.4 
20 
July 26 
103 
98.4 
19 
July 27 
76 
98.5 
20 
July 28 
104 
100.5 
20 
I July 29 
98 
98.4 
19 
July 30 
104 
100.2 
20 
J uly 31 
104 
99 
20 
August 1 
104 
99.5 
20 
jAugust 2 
104 
100 
20 
lAugust 3 
100 
98 
19 
lAugust 4 
96 
98.4 
18 
August 5 
98 
98.4 
18 
August 6 
104 
100.2 
20 
August 7 
108 
101.9 
19 
August 8 
104 
100.2 
20 
August 9 
106 
101.9 
19 
August 10 
110 
101 
19 
August 11 
108 
101.2 
19 
August 12 
108 
101.2 
19 
August 13 
104 
lOu.7 
19 
August 14 
108 
100.8 
19 
August 15 
130 
99.6 
22 
August 16 
120 
98.9 
19 
August 17 
112 
98.8 
18 
August 18 
103 
100 
• 18 
August 19 
106 
100 
18 
August 20 
110 
100.4 
19 
terday. 1 saw mm only a few moments ago. Ho 
was lying there as quietly as could be. I took his 
pulse. It was about ninety-six," 
"How was his respiration. Doctor?" 
"It could not have been more than sixteen. He 
was breathing so easily, and his sktn was cool and 
moist." 
"Was the pulse firm ?" 
"It was soft and clear." 
"The pulse will become more frequent after the 
morning dressing, I suppose?" 
"Yes, possibly three or four beats." 
"How is the parotid gland? Does it bother him 
much ?" 
"Dili you ever have-the mumps?" 
* "Yes, sir." 
"Then you know something about how it troubles 
him. He cannot open his mouth wide at all times. 
He told me this morning that his mouth would not 
open but about half an inch." 
"Is it still swollen?" 
"The swelling is not so much now, but the sore- 
ness affects the muscles of the jaw." 
"Doesn't it cause a collection of phlegmin the 
throat, then?" 
"Oh, yes, but he clears his throat so loudly that 
ho can be heard in the next room. He told me just 
now that he thought if he should vomit it would 
clear the phlegm away. I told him that was not 
necessary." 
Further questioning in this way-for information 
touching the swelling of the nsck and jaw elicited 
no f icts, the Doctor avoiding with much dexterity 
replying to all that was asked on this point. 
A BF.MAHKABLE STATEMENT. 
At noon there was a long delay in issuing the bul- 
letin, and this fact gave rise to the most alarming 
rumors which, although without foundation, illus- 
trated better than anything else the mercurial 
state of hope and fear even in the White 
House, for under its roof the delay 
caused quite as much anxiety as on the streets and 
in the hotels. It was somewhat after one o'clock 
when the report was sent out, and then, as the bul- 
letin was long and required to be copied on two 
sheets of paper, only half of it was ready. This was 
read and carried on to the streets to be posted, the 
foot of the sheet containing the statement that more 
was to follow. It was just at the end of lunch hour 
in the departments, and the promise of 
more to come gave rise to no little excite- 
ment, and in a few minutes the Iron 
gate at the White House yard was surrounded by a 
great throng of jieople. The rest of the bulletin, 
when it came, rehearsed a surprising story. It told 
how the flexible rubber tube that had been used to 
wash out the wound at each dressing had passed 
without resistance twelve and a half inches into the 
wound from the external surface of the last in- 
cision. This it had done on the separation of a 
small slough, which yielded to the soft pressure of 
the end of the tube. The further important fact 
was given that the pus cavity which had formed 
in the vicinity of the shattered rib is filling up with 
healthy granulations, and, further than that, the 
original wound, that is the one made by the ball as 
it passed through the flesh to the point it met and 
was deflected by the rib, was healed. The informa- 
tion contained in this bulletin, news of which might 
reasonably have been given to the public yesterday, 
is apparent at a glauce. By the insertion of this tube 
the length of the original wound is now approxim- 
ately known, and also its course. As the incision that 
was made by Dr. Agnew's knife was about three 
and a half inches below the point of entrance it is 
readily seen that the wound is now traced for a 
distance of sixteen inches. 
IS THE BALL ENCYSTED? 
This places the location of the ball certainly not ' 
more than two and a half or at the most three and a 
half inches from the point to which the exploration 
of the wound has reached. It is therefore deemed 
likely by the surgeons that In a few days-perhaps 
to-morrow-they will be able to definitely ascertain 
whether or nut the bail is encysted, or, in other 
words, has been surrounded by a heatthlul and 
healing lymph. They have thought it was, and I 
learn that at to-night's consultation they felt a new 
assurance of that fact because no pus, or very little, 
came from the wound when the tube, which always 
is filled with water, was inserted and with- 
drawn. From this they argue that the secre- 
tions of pus are becoming smaller, and that the 
point to which the tube has reached is 
where the healing progress of granulation 
is going forward. To-night Dr. Woodward is en- 
gaged in making a microscopic investigation of the 
small quantity of pus obtained, and the result of 
his study is being anxiously awaited for by his as- 
sociates. On the other hand there are those who , 
see in the absence of any considerable discharge the I 
most serious possibilities. They suggest that the 
pus is being taken up by the blood and ! 
its failure to flow is the warning of 
the most striking nature of blood poisoning, ' 
soon to be apparent. Doubtless this extreme view 
is only entertained by the alarmists, of whom there i 
are very many; but, at all events, it obtains a re- 
spectful hearing in the discussions of the situation 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PBOPKIETOB. 
HEW YORK, SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 1881. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 20-8:30 A. M. J 
The President has passed a quiet night and this 
morning his condition does not differ materially 
from what it was yesterday at the same hour. The 
swelling of the parotid gland is unchanged and is 
free from pain. This morning his pulse Is 98; 
temperature, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 12:30 P. M. 
The President continues to do well. He is taking 
liquid food by the mouth in increased quantity and 
With relish. The nutritial enemata are still suc- 
cessfully given, but at longer intervals. 
His pulse is now 107; temperature, 98.4; respira- 
tion, 18. 
At the morning dressing the wound was looking 
well, and the pus discharged was of a healthy char- 
acter. After the operation of August 8 the flexible 
tube used to wash out the wound at each dressing 
readily followed the track of the ball to the depth of 
three and a halt or four inches. At the dressings, 
however, a small quantity of healthy pus came, as 
was believed, from the part of the track beyond this 
point, either spontaneously or after gentle pressure 
over the anterior surface of the right iliac region, 
but this deeper part of the track was not reached by 
the tube until yesterday morning, when the separa- 
tion of a small slough permitted it to pass unre- 
sisted downward and forward for the distance of 
twelve and one-half inches from the external sur- 
face of the last incision. 
This facilitates the drainage and cleansing of the 
deeper parts of the wound, but has not been fol- 
lowed by any increase in the quantity of pus dis- 
charged. The large pus cavity which had formed in 
rhe immediate vicinity of the broken rib is Alling up 
with healthy granulation, and the original wound of 
entrance as far as that cavity has healed. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
<1. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President has passed the day quietly. He has 
been able to take more liquid food by the mouth 
than yesterday and the quantity given by enema lias 
been proportionally diminished. The parotid swell- 
ing remains about the same. 
Pulse, 110; temperature, 100.4; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD. 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
D. HAYES AGNEW. 
CABLEGRAMS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. 
The following despatch was sent by the Secretary 
of State:- 
Washington, August 20-2 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
At two o'clock P. M. all reports indicate that the 
President's condition is about the same as yester- 
day. There is certainly no loss and there is no 
rery marked gain. BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 20-11 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President has passed a fairly comfort, 
ible day. His condition has not materi- 
ally changed since last night. Pulse 
and temperature both a little higher, possibly 
attributable to the heat, of which ho has complained. 
He has shown increased appetite, and has swallowed 
during the day thirty-three ounces of liquid food, 
principally milk or its preparation. At eleven 
o'clock he is soundly asleep, with fever of the after- 
noon slightly subsiding. BLAINE, Secretary. 
physicians' chart of the case. 
In view of the sudden rise of the President's tem- 
perature again, the following summary of the high- 
est daily records of pulse, temperature and respi- 
ration since the date of the attempted assassination 
may be of interest:- 1 
BEGINNING THE EIGHTH WEEK. 
To-day the President entered upon the eighth 
reek of his prostration. In the elapsed time he has | 
twice been officially reported as approaching conva- 
lescence and three times the best word of hope that 
tould be uttered was that he might rally within the 
next few hours. To-night there is no more reason 
;o think he will live than there was on the after- 
aoon of the first Saturday in July, when 
no one dared hope that he could survive 
till the next day. Up and down, vibrating betwixt 
life and death, steadily growing weaker, making 
advances toward strength only to fall back again 
nearer to death-this,is a synopsis of his case, and 
now the people of Washington, and particularly the 
government officials, have come to regard the most 
hopeful words in the bulletin as the scp of cheer 
given from the sick room to an anxious 
and almost hopeless nation. To-day the tone 
of the bulletins has been cheerful enough, but 
In them there is no substantial word of com- 
fort, Even the midday issue, which for 
length and detailed information was longer and 
more profuse than any preceding one that the doc- 
tors have given their name to, awoke only more 
serious apprehension than the others, for it re- 
ported the case in a new light and presented some 
facts that when asked about yesterday were flatly 
denied. However the day was not an uncomfort- 
able one for the distinguished patient, who rested 
easily all day, sleeping at intervals and 
taking a considerable quantity of food. The 
morning bulletin gave only the fact that 
the swelling of the parotid gland was not diminished, 
although it was not painful, and that his pulse had 
fallen to 98, while the respiration and temperature 
were normal. This was in itself encouraging. To it 
was signed, in addition to the names of the regular 
staff, that of Dr. Agnew, who had arrived from 
Philadelphia on the late train last night. 
It has now been arranged that the two 
consulting surgeons shall maintain a system 
of reliefs and one of them be always on duty. 
Under this arrangement Dr. Hamilton will return on 
Monday night or Tuesday morning, in order that 
Dr. Agnew shall be able to visit his own home until 
the following Thursday. 
MBS. GARFIELD WITH HER HUSBAND. 
During the forenoon Mrs. Garfield spent a long 
time with her husband, Mrs. Edson being absent and 
Dr. Boynton having gone to rest after a night's 
vigil in the sick chamber. When she came out she 
said the President was sleeping more soundly 
than he had done in the daytime for a 
long time. Before ten o'clock he was 
awake, however, and eagerly accepted some gruel- 
about two ounces-that was given him at his own 
request. Then he fell asleep again, and when the 
doctors appeared on the scene once more he was 
ready to eat again, and so expressed himself. Dur- 
ing the morning the usual quantity of food given by 
enema-meat juice with muriatic acid to assist its 
assimilation -was administered. But in the presence 
of the appetite which called lor gruel at frequent 
intervals the quantity was reduced and less times 
administered. Before the wound was dressed in the 
morning Dr. Bliss gave a brief statement of the 
night's happenings to the correspondents gathered 
in the private secretary's office. He said, that the 
President had slept tolerably well at intervals, some 
of them of an hour's duration, and that in the last 
twelve hours there had been a very perceptible im- 
provement in all directions. During the waking 
hours of the night an enerna bad been given, and 
two ounces of milk gruel was relished by the Presi- 
dent about two o'clock. 
DR. BLISS DECLARES THE PRESIDENT BETTEB. 
Replying to some direct questions the Doctor 
said:- 
"The President has had a good night." 
"Then I suppose he is better?" 
"Oli, yes. He shows an improvement since yes- 
Temper- 
Kespi- 
Pulse. 
at ure. 
ration. 
July 3 
120 
100 
20 
July 4 
126 
101 
20 
•July 5 
Ill 
100 
24 
July 6 
100 
90.9 
23 
July 
104 
100.6 
23 
July 8 
108 
101.4 
24 
July 9 
108 
101.9 
24 
July io 
- 108 
101.9 
24 
July 11 
108 
102.8 
24 
July 11 
104 
102.4 
24 
July 13 
102 
98.5 
20 
July H 
08 
101 
July 15 
98 
101.4 
20 
July 16 
98 
100.2 
19 
July 17 
98 
98.4 
18. to-night and figures prominently in them. How- 
ever this may result, the ability to drain the wound 
to a depth so near the ball must prove an important 
factor in the treatment of the wound hereafter and 
operate for good. 
INCREASED PULSE AGAIN. 
In the presence of this new feature of the case it 
was scarcely noted that the President's pulse had 
risen from 98 at seven o'clock to 10" at midday. Hr. 
Beyburn said that that really did not signify the 
presence of any adverse conditions, at least none to 
speak of. At any rate the important thing of 
this forenoon is, atter all, that the stomach is re- 
gaining its tone and is able to assimi- 
late the food, which alone will give the 
patient needed strength. Colonel Rockwell 
and Mrs. Edson were on duty in the sick chamber 
this afternoon. The patient rested easily and 
thought at times it was too hot; but the tempera- 
ture of the room was at the proper stage, notwith- 
standing the fact that outside the sun's torrid rays 
fell heavily upon the city and made moving about 
in the streets a serious punishment. During the 
afternoon the President, after calling Colonel Rock- 
well nearer, asked after Captain Henry. "He has 
gone to Ohio," was the reply. 
"Ah!'' was the answer, "and what for?'' 
"I don't know?" responded Colonel Rockwell, and 
with this information the patient seemed to be con- 
tent, for his eyes closed and he was soon breathing 
softly in sleep. The question the President asked, 
however, is one that has been repeated variously 
to-night, and with indefinite returns of information. 
Yesterday morning Captain Henry told me himself 
that he wonld not leave the Executive Mansion 
until the President sank so low that it would 
be urgent to bring his mother and the 
two younger children here to see him. Within 
ten hours afterward he is on his way to Ohio, and 
the question as to his errand meets nothing but 
evasive and embarrassed replies. It is therefore 
deemed likely that the'family here, preparing tor i 
the worst, desire to have Mrs. Eliza Garfield and her : 
grandchildren, Abram and Irving, ready to start in 
the escort of Captain Henry at a moment's notice. 
AN UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION AT NIGHT. 
The late hours of the afternoon were oppressively 
hot, and the President slumbered fitfully until the 
evening examination was about to be held. Then he 
woke with something of an appetite, and was given 
some koumiss, just a spoonful, and before the exam- 
ination a little milk gruel. He spoke about the cow, 
which early in July was sent on from Baltimore, 
and thought he would lilte some blood warm milk 
freshly taken from her, but it was decided not 
to let him have it, and they offered 
him some more koumiss instead, which ho 
promptly refused. Atter the examination the 
wound was dressed, but before the bandages were 
taken off the bulletin that bears the hour mark of 
half-past six o'clock was made up. It indicated a 
rising pulse and a much higher temperature-the 
former 110 and the latter 100.4. Of course, after the 
dressing of the wound the pulse would be quick- 
ened, and for the reason that the bulletin should, 
so say tne doctors, report the progress 
of the patient since the last examination and 
the results of the last dressing the report is made 
up so as to indicate most fairly those features. 
There is, however, more of theory than practice in 
this explanation, as a rule, at any rate. To-night 
there is nothing reported about the wound what- 
ever, at least officially. It drifts out from the sick 
chamber, however, that the exudation of pus 
through the tube and from the wound itself was 
even less in quantity than at the noon examination. 
BLOOD POISONING AGAIN DISCUSSED. 
A comparison of tho statements of one or two of 
the attending physicians with the official bulletins 
purporting to give the President's condition, after 
careful examinations, does not tend to increase the 
confidence of the public in the correctness of the 
.latter. More than once it has been hinted that, 
as a matter of public policy, the bul- 
letins had been constructed of such a 
tissue of generalities that they' were bound to blind 
the non-professional reader as to the act ual gravity 
of the c se. A prominent physician and surgeon 
was asked by a representative of the Herald to- 
night what he had deduced from the bulletins-of the 
last ten days. He replied:- 
"In no Instance have they covered the ground and 
I given an accurate description of the actual 
condition of the President. The figures as 
to pulse, temperature and respiration have 
all been well enough, but what physicians 
would call the main features of the case have been 
conspicuously absent from these official emana- 
tions. Take the one to-day for instance. The fact 
that the track of the wound is open for twelve and 
a half inches or nearly its entire length was known 
to tne attending physicians nearly forty eight 
hours before it was stated in the bulletins. At 
I least Dr. Bliss knew it that tar ahead, and his tele- 
phonic interview of last evening was simply an 
effort to choke off further inquiries in the direction 
of the extent of the wound yet secreting pus. Eveu 
Dr. Agnew himself has intimated that the bulletins 
have fallen short nt the truth in many instances. 
It is an established fact that tlie columns of the 
Herald have furnished a more complete knowledge 
of the President's condition each day than could be 
gathered from the bulletins. While I don't wish 
to be understood as reflecting at all upon the man- 
I nor in which the President's case has been handled, 
it is apparent to every sensible man that, relying 
upon the information conveyed by the official bulle- 
tin, everything is steadily improving except the 
patient himself. The obstruction which sloughed 
away yesterday anti permitted the admission of the 
drainage tube nine inches further into the 
wound must have presented anything like 
a spontaneous discharge of pus from the 
lower portion of the wound, and even with 
manipulation a complete drainage could hardly be 
effected. This pus, it is said to-day, was remarkably 
healthy. It should have been to produce no more 
soriouB results than has been manifested. For days 
past an absorption of it has been going on, for the 
amount of pus discharged even with pressure ap- 
plied was not at all commensurate with the area of 
the suppurating surface." 
"What do you think of tiro bulletin issued to- 
night?" 
"It shows up very well, but with septicaemia and 
malaria both complicating the progress of the Pres- 
ident's recovery I should prefer to see a better 
pulse, temperature and respiration." 
CAUSE OF THE INCREASED FEVER. 
Another physician said to-night, after reading the 
seven o'clock bulletin, that the fever this evening is 
caused by his taking more nourishment to-day than 
usual, and instead of acting as a reserve force 
to his strength is aiding the fever. His at- 
tention was called to the opinion expressed that 
there was danger of the President having tetanus 
(or lockjaw), and that the indications pointed 
strongly in that direction. To this the Doctor re- 
j plied:-"If there should be lockjaw it would be 
caused by blood poison. I hardly think there is any 
great danger. I do think more enlargements will 
follow. The fixedness of the jaws now is caused by 
hardness of the parotid gland or glandular enlarge- 
ment of neck. The bulletin to-night," he continued, 
"might be callled encouraging so far as the tempera- 
ture is concerned. The temperature, although it 
has gone up with the pulse, shows that there is 
some material for this fever to feed upon compared 
with the scant portion of the food partaken for the 
last day or two. The food he is taking is not very 
properly assimilated. If the President holds his 
own to-morrow and Monday it will be a most im- 
portant gain in his favor, these being the days when 
his disease reaches its greatest height." 
A TALK WITH GENERAL SWAIM. 
General Swaim, when asked this afternoon if ho 
was satisfied with the President's condition, an- 
swered that he was, most assuredly; that he was 
getting along nicely, looked better and did not seem 
so easily worried as for the past two or three days. 
"1 see it announced that the physicians have ex- 
plored the wound to a depth of about twelve inches. 
I w is told by Captain Henry last night that it had 
been probed to a depth of eleven and three-quarter 
inches, and upon inquiry of the physicians they telt 
justified in denying this operation, if, indeed, itmay 
be called an operation, upon the patient." 
"I do not know, of course, why the physicians 
denied it. The fact is that yesterday it was discov- 
ered that there was a sloughing away and falling off 
; ot the obstruction that had been for a long time in 
I the track of the wound a little over four inches 
from the opening. In the course of suppuration 
this was removed, and then the tube, which is a sort 
of slim, flexible catheter, was readily inserted the 
full length of the wound, or at least to a depth of 
quite twelve inches. Then warm water was injected 
in the wound and it was thoroughly cleansed ior 
this distance." 
"If this obstruction has been in the wound for the 
number of days which it seems to have been there, 
what became of the pus steadily made in the course 
ot the bail between the spot where the bullet is 
supposed to be lodged and the point beyond which 
the tube could not reach?" 
"It has been discharged." 
WAS THE PUS DISCHARGED? 
"How do you know it has been discharged, when 
you assert that thia obstruction was sufficient to 
prevent the passage of an instrument of any kind 
beyond a distance of four inches in the track of the 
bullet?" 
"It seems to have acted like a valve. When the 
tube was passed into the orifice to the point where 
the obstruction was located its further progress was 
estopped, but when slight pressure was brought to 
bear upon the anterior wall ot the abdomen, as has 
been the case at every dressing for the purpose of 
accelerating tho flow of pus, the latter was forced 
against the obstruction on the distal side and hav- 
ing the effect to raise the tube. The discharge was 
theretore not interfered with. That this was the case is 
shown clearly from the fact that its existence, 
although having prevented the insertion of the in- 
strument the full length of the wound, did not dam 
] up pus below, and what pus did come from that 
portion ot the wound was exactly of the same char- 
acter as had been discharged from day to day- 
namely, laudable nus." 
"What quantity and kind of food has he partaken 
of to-day?" 
"He has taken beef essence, koumiss and a little 
milk porridge, and the quantity is increased from 
time to time. He took at one time this morning 
eight teaspoonfuls of boef essence and koumiss. 
His food seems no longer to give him aey distress, 
and he has had no return of nausea or anything to 
indicate further irritation of the stomach." 
INFLAMMATION OF THE PAP.OTIS. 
"What are you doing for the parotid swelling?" 
"We continue the application of bags of hot water. 
The swelling is disappearing. Although it has not 
yet entirely gone down it has ceased to give 
him pain, and the doctors think that no abscess 
will form, but be dissipated by the remedies now 
applied." 
"Does the President experience a stiffness of the 
neck from this glandular trouble?" 
"We have noticed nothing of that kind. It is 
simply sore and uncomfortable." 
"Is there a swelling of any other glands?" 
"Mo. Even the other glands of the face and neck 
do not seem to be affected. This last complication 
gives no uneasiness, for it is succumbing to the 
treatment." 
"It has been reported that Captain Henry left the 
city for Ohio suddenly Last night, for the purpose of 
bringing General Garfield's mother here. Now if 
this is a fact it is interpreted to mean that the worst 
is anticipated by those intimately acquainted with 
the Presidont'scondition. Is there any ground for 
this rumor?" 
"I do not know whether Captain Henry has gone 
West or not, I have not seen him to-day, however. 
Still I do not think he has gone for the President's 
mother; but while I know nothing about it I think 
there is no-occasion for such alarm." 
"Then am I to understand. General, that you are 
satisfied with the progress the patient has made to- 
day ?" 
"Yes, I am. You will see by the bulletin that 
there is no fever; that the respiration is normal and 
the pulse not nearly so high as it has been during 
the last few days." 
DB. BROADUS INSISTS ON HIS MAI,AETA THEORY. 
Dr. Broadus, of New Orleans, reaffirms his belief 
that the President has malaria in his system. He 
says, first, the regularity of the appearance of after- 
noon fever at the same hour was sufficient to excite 
suspicion that malarial fever had been superadded 
to the suppurative fever; second, the alarm- 
ing suddenness and imminent danger of 
the relapses, while they cannot be explained 
upon the theory of the stoppage of the Mow of pus, 
and are not claimed to have been the result of a 
sudden suppression of its secretion nor of its ab- 
sorption, are perfectly intelligible when contem- 
plated by those who are familiar with the over- 
whelming power of malaria and of its frequent occur- 
rence in wounls of all descriptions in lower lati- 
tudes when the patient, from great prostration, 
has lost much of his power of resistance; thisd^if 
during the entire progress of the case there had 
been any doubt of the existence of malarial compli- 
cation, that doubt should have been removed by the 
intensification of the febrile movement at regularly 
recurring intervals in addition to the daily parox-<? 
yarns; fourth, in the last relapse, when 
there was not a shadow of suspicion that 
the President would not soon be well, when the 
wound was almost healed, nothing but a tidal wave . 
of malaria can explain his sudden and terrible back- 1 
set. It was malaria aseuming the form of the per- , 
■ nicious fever, and another paroxysm may be fatal. 
BEYOND THE "HOCB GLASS." 
It is a feature worth calling attention to that in j 
the Herald published on the 14tn inst. it was re- 
ported as the opinion of the doctors that along the 
track of the wound, probably near its middle, was 
an obstacle of some sort. It was thought that pos- 
sibly it might be an hour glass kind of 
contraction of the walls of the track of 
the ball or some obstacle caused either by 
healthful granulation at that point or by the gather- 
ing of hardened pus. At any rate it was the inten- 
tion of the surgeons to direct their skill to secure 
an opening for the wound beyond this obstruction, 
but whether this should be done by an incision or 
by seeking to pass by the obstruction with as little 
irritating result as possible, was not then deter- 
mined. The President's relapse on the following day 
made the movement in this direction impossible, 
but it has now been accomplished. The doctors 
on coming from the sick chamber to-night expressed 
themselves as abundantly satisfied with the condi- 
tion of iheir patient, although they were particu- 
larly chary about giving explanations and fought 
clear of details. It was learned that the pus ob- 
tained from the inner end of the wound was thought 
to be healthier than that taken from near its 
place of entrance, and this was accounted for 
by the fact that air had not reached it to 
cause a kind of decomposition. The medical 
bellows which the wounded man furnishes himself, 
and which the doctors work by pressing with their 
hands, was not used to-day, the patient having 
complained of the pain which they unnecessarily 
inflicted, as ho thought. lacked if the passage of 
the tube along the wound cave pain and was told that it did, but that the President stood it like a 
Spartan, never wincing nor changing a muscle, 
although replying affirmatively and with someem- 
pnasis when asked if it gave him pain. 
UNCERTAINTY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 
To-night there is an air of uncertainty and an ap- 
parent feeling of apprehension at the White Honse. 
But it has.come to be regarded.as treason in any one 
who corner under the roof to say anything not full 
of hope and brimming over with cheerful expecta- 
tion. For example, there appeared in an Eastern 
newspaper the other day an interview by its corre- 
spondent here with a Cabinet Minister. It presented 
that hope was a point that grew too rapidly in the 
White House under the iniluence of the distorted 
reports irom the sick chamber, exaggerated and 
twisted in their transmission from the sick man's 
rooms to the journalistic ear; that there never had 
been ground, good ground, for hope; that General 
Garfield could.; live, and for contrary statements to 
be made as the result of every rumor that floated 
around the White House was wrong, and so on. In 
short, the tone of the interview was gloomy and 
despondent. The name of the Cabinet officer is 
not given, but it is known to-day that 
the appearance of the article has given rise to a 
bitter feeling through the Executive Mansion. 
It is undoubtedly true that the bulletins have often 
concealed the truth, if net misstated it, as in the 
case of the use of the drain pipe yesterday and 
reported only to-day. Secretary Blaine's opinion 
on this point, previously given in these de- 
spatches, gives a view of the case with which 
the people will readily agree, that it was 
a serious offence; yes.it was ''criminal to retain 
from the public anything regarding the condition 
of the Chief Magistrate of the nation." Germane 
to this is the fact that the Secretary of State's 
despatches to our Minister Resident in London, 
William Bussell Lowell, are looked for here with 
interest, as being about the most reliable informa- 
tion given to tho public about the President's con- 
dition. 
"BESTING QUIETLY." 
About half-past ten o'clock Private Secretary 
Brown \yeut into the consultation room and shortly 
after returned, saying:-''AU the Cabinet have gone 
home and everything is as still as can be. The doc- 
tors on duty say that the President is resting 
quietly, and there is every indication that his pulse 
and temperature have diminished. The in- 
flamed gland renders him rather uncomfort- 
able at times. Occasionally while sleeping 
w ho will toss hi3 head restlessly, indicating 
that there is considerable pain there yet. Dr. 
Agnew is still in the city and expects to remain I 
until Tuesday, when he will be relieved by Dr. 
Hamilton. That is about the way the case I 
stands to-night." Soon alter the lights were extin- > 
guished, and the few newspaper men who had been 
hanging around for several hours without an in- 
cident of the most minute detail occurring, de- 
parted, and the White House was left in possession 
of the watchmen. 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
DR. BOYNTON INTERVIEWED. 
Executive Mansion-4:15 P. M. 
Dr. Boynton, who came out of the President's 
rcom about half-past three this afternoon, made the 
following replies to the subjoined questions, which 
were asked him by a representative of the press: - 
"Doctor, there is a report in circulation that the I 
object which the surgeons had in view in intro- 
ducing the tube into the depths of the wound yes- 
terday and to-day was to reach a supposed accumula- 
tion of pus in that vicinity. Was there any such 
intention?" 
"Not at all. While washing the wound yesterday 
the surgeons found that there was no longer any 
resistance to the passage of the tube at the point 
where it hitherto stopped, three and a half or four 
inches from the surface, and they therefore let it go 
in as far as it would. No force was used. It went 
in about eleven inches the first time in a direction 
downward and forward from tho mouth of the 
wound. Since then, as stated in to-day's bulletin, 
it has been passed in to a depth of twelve inches aaid 
a halt." 
"The fact that there was no increased flow of pus 
after the withdrawal of the tube is taken by those 
who maintain the blood poisoning theory as an in- 
dication that the pus in the deeper parts of the 
wound had been absorbed. Is this so?" 
"Healthy pus is never absorbed and cannot be ab- 
sorbed. Thore is no foundation for any such 
theory." 
"Did not the introduction of the tube to a distance 
of twelve nnd a half inches give the surgeons some i 
further evidence with regard to the location ot the 
ball?" 
"Not much. The tube was the flexible rubber 
catheter used in washing out the wound, and we 
could tell only in a general way the direction 
which it took through the body. That 
direction was forwaid and downward to- 
ward the point in the anterior wall ot 
the abdomen, where the ball has always been sup- 
posed to lie. Nothing new was ascertained. The 
surgeons think it possible that the ball has moved 
downward a little since it first lodged in the abdomi- 
nal wall, but this is not certain." 
OPENING UP THE WOUND. 
"How do the attending surgeons regard this open- 
ing up of the depths of the ivouud?" 
"It is regarded as favorable. It is better to have 
the wound open throughout than closed or ob- 
structed in the middle. It can now be got at and 
"This recent, and more complete exploration of 
the wound then showed, nothing of an unfavorable 
character?" 
"Nothing. The opening of the wound so that a 
tube can be introduced to its depths is an advantage, 
as I before said." 
"How about the President's food to-day? Did he 
take the beefsteak juice which was being prepared 
at noon?" 
"Yes, a part of it. He swallowed about three tea- 
spoonsful. He has also taken more milk gruel this 
afternoon." 
"Have any symptoms of malaria appeared?" 
"No." 
"Is the administration of quinine continued?" 
"No medicines are now given through the mouth. 
Quinine was given in the euemata-at first. Whether 
it still is or not I don't know." 
"Has the swelling of the parotid gland subsided?" 
"It is only about half as great as it was at first, 
but there has been no material change within the 
past twenty-four hours. The swelling up toward 
the eye has perhaps gone down a little more." 
"What will probably bo the result of it?'' 
"I cannot tell you yet. Applications to reduce 
and scatter it are now being made, but I don't know 
whether they will finally be effective or whether the 
swelling will suppurate." 
"Is the swelling regarded with apprehension and 
does it cause much pain?" 
"No. It is uncomfortable, of course, but the pain 
is notgreat." 
Executive Mansion-10:30 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss says that the whole question of the future 
of the President's case turns now upon thestomach. 
If that organ can receive and assimilate food enough 
to make good the present drain upon the system and 
enable the patient to regain his strength, he will 
stand a fair chance to recover. If. on the contrary, 
the stomach again becomes intolerant of nourish- 
ment and entirely refuses tor any great length of 
time to receive food, the consequences may ba fatal. 
At present ail the indications are that the stomach 
is recovering Its tone, and upon this fact, he said, 
we base our hopeful anticipations. 
Executive Mansion-11 p. m. 
In reviewing the President's case to-day the most 
which cau fairly bo said is that there has been a very- 
slight change for the better. The patient's pulse 
and temperature are a little higher than last night, 
but this trifling increase of fever, which is 
attributed to the inflammation of the parotid gland, 
is more than counterbalanced by the improvement 
in the tone of the stomach upon which so much 
now depends. The President has taken to-duy 
about one third more food than yesterday, includ- 
ing thirteen ounces of milk gruel with flour, 
about twenty-three ounces of koumiss and 
a small quantity of beef juice. Ho has also had an 
enema of fifteen ounces of beef extract mixed with 
the yolk of egg. There has been no recurrence 
of nausea or other symptom of gastric disturbance. 
The swelling of the parotid gland remains about 
the same as it was this morning and the result of 
the measures which have been taken to prevent sup- 
puration cannot yet be anticipated. It would be 
gratifying to the surgeons if the swelling would 
subside, since if suppuration ensues the abscess 
will have to be opened. 
The President went to sleep soon after the evening 
examination and slept for an hour or so. When he 
awoke another enema was administered, after 
which-about a quarter past ten P. M.-he 
again fell asleep. His fever has subsided 
within the past two hours, and at the pres- 
ent time his pulse and temperature are lower 
than at the evening examination. The surgeons sum 
up the day by saying that there has been a slight 
change for the better in the direction of greater 
ability to receive and assimilate nourishment, and 
that the outlook to-night is favorable. The Presi- 
dent, however, is extremely weak, and his improve- 
ment will be very slow. 
president Garfield's new trouble-what 
THE CELEBRATED GERMAN SCIENTIST, DR. 
VIRCHOW, SAYS OF ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF 
THE PAROTID GLAND. 
To Rudolph Virchow, of Berlin, one of the great- 
est scientists of our century, a man whose influence 
is felt in almost every department of medical 
science, is also due the best information 
on the disease which at this moment at- 
tracts special attention on account of the 
President's case. As early as 1858 Virchrow wrote in 
the "Annals of the Charite Hospital" an article on 
this subject, which is based entirely on his own 
personal investigations at the bedside., in the dissec- 
tion room and in tho laboratory. An abstract of the 
most important points of this paper will be of in- 
terest :- 
SEPTICAEMIA OR PYAEMIA. 
He speaks very briefly of the innocuous form of 
the disease familiarly known as mumps, and treats 
exclusively of the grave form which supervenes in 
the course of grave diseases, such as pneumonia, 
puerperal fever, typhus, measles or glanders. 
He refers to another treatise of his ("Gesam- 
mette Abhandlungen zur Wissenchaftlichen Medi- 
cin," pp. 480, (540), in which he has shown 
that tho phenomena belonging to so called 
pysemia may bo classed under two heads, 
one class comprising the phenomena due to embol- 
ism-i. e., the transportation ot a solid corpuscle 
from one part of the body to another where it is 
arrested in a narrow blood vessel, and a second 
class due to infection-that is to say, the absorp- 
tion into the blood ot a poisonous liquid. 
This latter it is which he calls septiemmia. The 
inflammation ot the parotis belongs commonly 
to this Utter class. Its origin may be understood if 
it is supposed that some irritant is secreted from 
the blood with the saliva and produces an irritation 
of the surfaces with which it comes in contact, ex- 
actly as cantharidin, the irritant agent in a blister, 
when it is absorbed by the blood and secreted with 
the urine, irritates the urinary organs, producing 
catarrhal or croupous inflammation. 
QUESTIONABLE BENEFIT OF THE ABSCESS. 
The inflammation of the parotis may be divided 
into three groups:-The primary, simple catarrh or 
mumps, which is usually epidemic and has no ten- 
dency to suppuration; the secondary, purulent 
catarrh, which readily forms abscesses and is asso- 
ciated with catarrh of the mouth, sprue, &<x. or 
some times withiaffections of middle ear; and, 
finally the specific, septicaemia catarrh, which 
almost always gives rise to sanious pus, 
and is very frequently combined with other 
so-called metastases-tnat is to say, appear- 
ances in jollier localities either of a septiccemic or 
an embolic character. Ancient writers have laid 
much stress noon the salutary effect of the forma- 
tion of an abscess with laudable mis in the parotis. 
This is only true in so far as opposed to cases in 
which the suppuration produces thin, sanious pus. 
It may be that the suppuration has a certain f avora- 
ble effect on the body, but it is certain that it is 
much preferable if it can be avoided, for the inflam- 
mation of the parotis is both in the beginning and 
in the end a disorder which renders the case more 
complicated. 
DANGERS OF SUPPURATIVE INFLAMMATION. 
The dangers of a suppurative inflammation of the | 
parotid gland are very numerous. If it complicates 
the latei stages of other diseases the new disturbance 
suffices often to lead to the death of the exhausted 
patients by a renewal or increase of the 
fever. If the swelling of the surround- 
ing parts be very considerable the inflam- 
mation of the parotis, by impeding the 
circulation in the numerous veins which lie in con- 
tact with it may give rise to oedema of the tem- 
poral region and around the eye, headache, difficult 
breathing, &c. these phenomena become still more 
violent if the impediment to circulation is large 
enough to cause coagulation of the blood in tue 
veina. The clota thus formed become so much 
more dangerous as they extend far beyond 
the gland, and later when they soften 
become the starting point of embolism 
and infection. In severer cases the surrounding 
connective tissue is also inflamed, and then the in- 
flammation extends gradually over the neighboring 
parts, causing abscesses in the muscles, inflammation 
of the auditory canal, periostitis of the lower jaw- 
bone and temporal bone, followed by necrosis, 
Through the bones the inflammation may extend to 
the membranes surrounding the brain or attack 
this organ itself. 
FOLLOWING THE NEBVF. COURSES. 
Another way in which the inflammation spreads 
is by following the course or the nerves. The veins 
are apt to become obstructed, and clots extend down 
along the side of the neck or into the interior of the 
cranial cavity. In such cases the inflammation of 
the parotis may, in it turn, become the starting 
point of new blood poisoning and of embol- 
ism in the lungs and other organs. The 
dangers connected with the inflammation of the 
paratis are partly due to the situation of the organ 
under a dense fascia or tendinous membrane. This 
circumstance is also of importance in regard to 
treatment. If suppuration cannot be avoided it 
should be hastened and the pus emptied as soon as 
possible. To attain this end it is often necessary to 
make deep incisions, the swelling of the superficial 
parts being so great that pus is reached only ata 
depth of half an inch. 
Condition of the P. esidenf-An Iliac 
Abscess. 
An iliac abscess is a formidable visitation 
even for a man not broken down; for the 
President it is a feaiful addition to his 
many difficulties; yet this is the conipHet- 
tion that has now apparently to be faced. 
An inflammation of the ceLular tissue in ] 
the right iliac fossa is a well known result 
of many irritations that arise in the abdom- 
inal cavity ia conscquenco of the disorders 
of organs there, as well as a result of 
injuries and of wounds where these 
have left any cause of continuing irritation. 
By whatever cause provoked, this abscess 
extends widely from the point of departure 
and involves more or less all the tissues 
in the vicinity. In the case of the Presi- 
dent's wound, the unextracted bullet was a 
sufficient cause to provoke the irritation 
that leads to this trouble. Indeed, this 
trouble must always be taken into account 
as one of the almost inevitable consequences 
of leaving an angular ami raggeel piece of 
lead in such a place, and this danger must 
be weigheel in the argument on the ques- 
tion of cutting out a bail. 
Since the last and very serious operation 
upon the President we have heard ex- 
tremely little of the wound and the dis- 
charge, for the complications involving the 
trouble with the stomach and the parotid 
gland have been so serious as to turn the 
attention even of the surgeons in another 
direction, yet the morbid processes have 
gone on and an abscess has been ex- 
cavated that is at least eight inches 
deep, and which, unnoticed by the 
surgeons, has announced its presence by 
opening a way for itself into the track of 
the wound. Lest we should be accused of 
exaggeration in saying that this excavation 
is eight inches deep we will refer the reader 
to Dr. Agnew's second letter to the Phila- 
delphia Times, in which he stated the true 
depth of the wound, counting from the 
counter opening, to be four and a half 
inches. As a tube put in at that opening 
now passes to a depth of twelve and a half I 
inches. The difference is the depth of the 
excavation. 
This irritation was directly provoked by 
the presence of the bullet, and this col- 
lection of pus has been in the course of for- mation from the day the President was 
i shot. The encroachment of this hidden 
trouble upon the peritoneum may have been 
the cause of the recent disturbmce of »he 
stomach. The pus that has contami->.ad 
the system was probably taken from this 
place. NEW YORK HERALD 
surgeon here gives such a reply as a professional 
opinion or for the purposes of having it published 
in interviews; but half a dozen whom I have seen 
to-day say that there seems but little hope of the 
patient lasting longer. It will be readily understood 
that some ot these opinions, coming from men who 
are in almost daily professional contact with one or 
another of the physicians in attendance upon tho 
President, nave a peculiar vaftie not to be passed 
over slightly. 
FEELING THE HEAT. 
The weather to-day has been hot again, but the 
breeze strikes the President's window with pleasant 
force and keeps his room so cool that it has not 
been found necessary to st >rt the cooling apparatus 
to maintain the necessary temperature. Neverthe- 
less the President thought it was too hot and shifted 
about in bed a great deal, asking to have the sheet 
that covered him taken off and for the first time 
speaking fretfully to his nurses. It now leaks out 
that he has at limes been slightly delirious, and on the 
days following the relapse he has been very dull and 
mentally sluggish. It is also reported that he was in 
that state at a late hour to-night, although the fact 
cannot be verified, the physicians avoiding with 
great dexterity meeting correspondents or giving 
further information than is contained in bulletins. 
•Several times during the early part of the day the 
President said he thought he could take a little 
gruel or koumiss. At ten o'clock he asked for the 
latter, and Mrs. Garfield brought it to him. He ac- 
cepted a little of it, drinking from a spoon and swal- 
lowing with the utmost difficulty. The 
fact is that the parotid gland is so much 
swollen and also the lower jaw that he 
cannot open his mouth. His teeth are far enough 
apart to insert a spoon, and only the pcint of it is 
put in and the fluid is thus allowed to flow on to the 
tongue and down the throat. The act ot swallowing 
is, and since the new development in the case has 
been, accomplished with the greatest difficulty, but 
on this occasion the difficulty was even greater than 
ever before and after taking his spoonfuls the suf- 
ferer shook his head and said mournfully:- 
"I can't, I can't." 
After this he lay quiet with his eyes open and 
without taking any notice of what was going on in 
the room. Said one who saw him at the time: 
"He lay there as a man without hope, and it struck 
me that he was disheartened and his courage had 
given out. That was my impression, however, and 
I may be wrong. Although wide awake he did not 
move Jor nearly an hour, and when Mrs. Garfield 
came into the room and spoke to him he 
did not smile at her greeting as was his custom, 
but sighed instead and asked the hour and if it was 
time to have his wound dressed." He then com- 
plained of the heat, and the thermometer was. held 
Ware him. Ho read the figure at which the 
column of mercury stood with apparent difficulty. 
He was then sponged off and seemed easier, and 
about that time the doctors arrived to hold their 
noon examination. 
ROCKWELL THINKS THE PATIENT NO WORSE. 
Colonel Rockwell said this evening that he could 
not see that the President was any worse. His con- 
dition is perhaps at a standstill; practically there 
is no change. "I do not think," he said, "the doc- 
tors are satisfied that the ball has encysted. No 
signs of its encysting are perceptible." 
"Has Mrs. Garfield been with the President to-day 
more than usual?" 
"She has been with him a greater part of the 
day." 
"Was the patient's sleep broken last night?" 
''Well, yes, he was troubled considerably by the 
accumulation of mucus matter in his throat from 
the parotid gland, which caused him to hawk and 
spit frequently. However, he got as much sleep, 
perhaps, in the aggrgate as he generally does." 
"This annoyed him greatly, did it not?" 
"Of course it did, just the same as it would you 
or me. He has not had a hypodermic injection 
since the last re.apse." 
"Has he had any nausea or vomiting to-day?" 
"This afternoon he had nausea and vomited several 
times, but it was caused by this mucus matter. He 
is very weak, as you would suppose he must be. In 
his debilitated condition the parotid gland does not 
show any signs of suppurating and I only hope it 
will not. The swelling keeps about the same; if 
anything, it is going down. One enemata was given 
last night. The wound discharges without the aid 
of the tube and it is only nsed at the dressing." 
EXCITEMENT AT WASHINGTON. 
The night bu.letin caused considerable excitement, 
particularly the portion which announced that the 
President had vomited twice since the twelve o'clock 
bulletin. Crowds congregated at the White House 
gate and at the drug stores where bulletins are 
posted. In the crowds were many physicians who 
gave their opinions freely. Some thought the vom- 
iting was simply a recurrence of a week ago, being 
only one of the effects ot blood poisoning and also a 
symptom of his general exhausted condition, the 
peculiar condition of his stomach not being able to 
dispose of the food. Others thought it was caused 
by the swelling of the throat and the concentration 
of phlegm. 
Dr. 1). C. Patterson, Coroner for the District of 
Columbia, said the pulse and temperature were all 
right, but the vomiting looked suspicious. Dr. Ba- 
sil Morris, United States Army,said the bulletin was 
unpleasant and suspicious. 
Dr. Dexter expressed the opinion that the Presi- 
dent's stomach was in such a condition that it 
would not retain the food. He did not think the 
swelling of the throat had anything to do with the 
vomiting. 
The article in the Herald of July 26 was referred 
to during the evening by many prominent physi- 
cians, pointing out the curious periodical changes 
or hebdomadal periodicity of the case. The obser- 
vations in the article the physicians thought were 
fully borne out by the President's present condition. 
These so-called crises occur every seventh day, or at 
the beginning of each week, so thstt to-morrow the 
probability is that his condition will be very un- 
favorable. 
THE PRESIDENT TERRIBLY EMACIATED. 
The wound was dressed as usual, and it was 
found that the flow of pus was small and of rather 
a good quality, but beyond that there were no new 
indications. On this examination was formulated 
the noon bulletin, which is an example of the 
doctors' method of how not to tell the 
facts. It is a remarkable composition and 
one worthy of being the last effort after the 
practice they have had hitherto in this direction. 
Nevertheless, the rise in the temperature is remarked, 
and it is stated as a fact that he continued to take 
liquid nourishment by the mouth. It is understood 
now that the last nourishment taken in that way 
was tnat given by his wife, of which he took but 
the very smallest quantity. A milk porridge was 
offered him at this time by the doctors, 
and he was told he ought to take it, 
but he replied, fretfully, that he would 
do nothing of the sort, making quite 
a gesture with his hands as if pushing it away. 
This was the first time, it is said, that he refused to 
at least try to do as suggested by his medical ad- 
visers or that the even flow ot his pleasant temper 
has been disturbed. It was very hot during the 
afternoon and a storm threatened to come out of a 
bank of clouds in the northwest. The President had 
dozed a little at intervals, but seemed to 
feel the heat as he had In the morning 
and asked that the windows be opened 
higher. When this was done he was able to see the 
sky where the clouds were gathering, and at his 
own request he was turned so that he could gaze at 
them, the pillows being bolstered up so as to allow 
him to do so. He lay in that position a long time; 
the attendants thought he was sleeping, until by 
the reflection of a mirror on the wall they chanced to 
catch a glimpse of his face and saw that he was wide 
awake and that his eyes were wide open, and that he 
was gazing vacantly, and apparently without seeing 
anything, out of the window. In order that the air 
in the room might be kept as pure as possible the 
door opening into the corridor had been opened and 
a screen of slats about Six feet high wheeled par- 
tially in front of it, but over which one could look 
by standing on tiptoe so as to catch the reflection of 
the President's face as he lay there. I talked with 
one of the family visitors to-night who had taken 
advantage, as others bad, of this opportunity to 
see the patient, and, to quote his words, "I could 
not believe he was the same man I saw la health less 
than months ago. It was incredible to me that such 
a change could have taken place, and I started back 
in horror. The eyes were sunken, the cheeks 
sunken and paltd and the lips absolutely without a 
shade of color. I looked again when I recovered 
myself, and I saw that he lay on his 
back and that his head was raised on 
two pillows with a third inserted between the two 
at the side nearest me so that the pillow sloped 
toward the window. He looked like a ghost. Of 
course I did not pause to take more than a glance, 
We were fearful that he might catch sight of us him- 
self and be annoyed, and so we passed on. But by 
that glance I saw General Swaim sitting at the foot 
of the bed and Dr. Boynton standing near a table on 
which there were some medicines and dishes." 
There are indeed but a few people who come 
near the p itient. They are the four attending and 
two consulting surgeons. General Swaim, Colonel 
Rockwell, Dr. Boynton, Mrs. Di. Edson, and of 
course Mrs. Garfield, who comes always in the 
morning and flits in and out at intervals during the 
day and comes in regularly at night before retiring. 
She has, however, never remained in the room when 
the wound was being dressed. 
MRS. GARFIELD CHEERFUL. 
There was a prayer meeting held this evening at 
the Christian Church where the President and his 
family usually attend divine worship, devoted to 
special prayer for the President. A representative 
of the Hebald met the pastor. Rev. J. D. Tower, 
after the services and from him learned that he had 
felt considerable anxiety regarding the President's 
condition during the day and in order to relieve 
his mind he called upon Mrs. Garfield just after 
the evening bulletin was issued. He said that Urs. 
Garfield seemed rather cheerful, more so than he 
had expected. She did not evince any alarm at the 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1881. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 21-8:30 A. M. J 
The President awoke more frequently than usual, 
yet slept sufficiently during the night, and appears 
comfortable this morning. The parotid swelling is 
about the same, but is not painful. He took liquid 
nourishment by the mouth several times during 
the Bight as well as this morning. 
Pulse, 106; temperature, 98.8; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, August 21-12:30 P. M. 
The President's condition continues about as at 
the morning bulletin, except that there is a slight 
rise of temperature. He continues to take liquid 
nourishment by the mouth, as well as by enema. 
JJulse, 108; temperature, 99.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President has vomited twice during the after- 
noon. The administration of food by the mouth 
has, therefore, again been temporarily suspended, 
and the nutritive enemata will be given more fre- 
quently. His temperature is lower and his pulse 
rather less frequent than yesterday afternoon. The 
parotid swelling is painless but stationary. 
Pulse, 108; temperature, 99.2; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
Washington, D. August 21,1881. 
The following was sent to-night;- 
Lowell, Minister, London- 
The President's sleep last night was broken 
and unrestful. His symptoms throughout 
the day have been less favorable and his 
general condition is not encouraging. He 
is unable to retain food on his stomach, 
having vomited twice during the afternoon, the last 
time at five o'clock. This evening he has been able 
to drink water and retain. The swelling of the 
parotid gland has not increased. Pulse and temper- 
ature about the same as yesterday. His sleep up to 
thia hour-eleven P. M.-has been somewhat dis- 
turbed. We are all deeply anxious. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
seriously worse. 
The President is seriously worse to-night. The 
stomach, which it was thought had or at least was 
reported as having recovered its tone, has become 
troublesome again, and vomiting has ensued, with 
the most distressing results to the patient. The 
evening bulletin briefly tells the story, and the 
physicians in their unofficial explanation say that 
the vomiting is not the result of any gastric dis- 
turbance, but is caused by the phlegm in the throat, 
which either drains in very small quantities into i 
the stomach, creating nausea, or. making him desire 
to clear his throat, creates a muscular sympathy 
with the stomach. At all events the trouble is not 
a gastric one. Be this statement correct or not the 
seriousness of the case is scarcely less, for it has 
been found necessary to stop giving the President [ 
food through the mouth, and at best that which is 
given by enemata can barely sustain and cannot re- 
cruit the exhausted vital forces. The news of to- 
night was not surprising to many in the light of the 
two bulletins given in the morning and at noon. 
The one in the morning simply gave a few tacts, 
said nothing about the wound, gave little informa- 
tion as to the condition of the stomach 
and was more than vague in its general tone, 
and as if to aggravate the feeling caused by the 
absence of news in it. The condition of the Presi- 
dent at noon was spoken of as being about the 
same as in the morning, only that there was a rise 
of the temperature of the body, which is always re- 
garded as a bad symptom. His condition was there- 
fore regarded as very unsatisfactory and rathei dis-' 
couraging, for at any rate he had made no progress 
toward recovery in the last forty-eight hours. 
Thus while the patient got no better he was con- 
tinually supporting a strain upon his already 
enfeebled system and every hour growing 
weaker and weaker. Already speculation has 
taken the form of the inquiry, "How long can 
be last?" And the answer given except, by those 
who continue to hope for recovery is, that two 
weeks must end it. Of course no medical man or contents of the late bulletin, anti explained that the । 
vomiting that occurred this evening was attributable ! 
to the effort on the part of the President to clear his 
throat of the phlegm of secretion that has lodged there, 
caused by the swollen gland. Mrs. Garfield said that 
while the President was able to articulate distinctly 
he was prevented from speaking as freely as he was 
inclined to do by the trouble in his throat several 
times. He has expressed his anxiety to be able to 
get away from the White House, as he fears malaria, 
and he seems to have a preference for a sea voyage. 
Several times to-day he has referred to it, and Mrs. 
Garfield thinks he favors the idea of going to 
Long Branch. While at the White House Dr. Tower 
saw only one of the President's children, and that 
was the elder boy, Harry. He is a source of great 
comfort to his mother in her trying hours, as, in- 
deed, all the children are. It Mrs. Garfield enter- 
tains any fears of her husband's not recovering she 
conceals them wonderfully, for there was not 
the slightest appearance of extreme anxiety 
in her manner this evening. She speaks hopetully 
of the President being able to stand the fatigue of a 
removal from the White House at not a far distant 
day. The Doctor, while entertaining the most sin- 
cere hope of the President's recovery, showed signs 
of great anxiety at his present condition and was 
very desirous ot knowing what was the opinion ot 
the doctors since the issuance of the evening bul- 
letin, which he considered anything but encour- 
aging. 
WHAT CAUSED THE VOMITING? 
Dr. Boynton, who volunteers little information, : 
but who answers very frankly all the questions put 
to him, stated to your correspondent to-night, at 
half-past nine o'clock, that the President's condi- 
tion caused some little anxiety to the physicians 
and they could not predict what twelve hours 
might bring forth. He said he did not mean by 
this that an alarming point might be reached within 
that period, but that they could not foretell whether 
the changes in \the symptoms would be 
cheering or unpromising to-morrow morn- 
ing. In ordinary cases the physicians 
could tell about what might be expected, but 
in this case they do not know what a few hours 
might develop. They are watching the symptoms 
very closely and doing everything in their power 
to correct disorders as they appear. 
"As for myself," said the Doctor, "I shall be quite 
gratified if the next bulletin shows an improve- 
ment and be equally discouraged if nothing favor- 
able is noted." 
When asked if he considered the symptoms better 
to-night than they were yesterday the Doctor re- 
plied that there were some symptoms more favora- 
ble and oihers more unfavorable; that the President 
was noticeably mneh weaker to-day than yesterday 
and his general condition not so good. 
"Indeed," added the Doctor, "we have a very sick 
patient on uur hands." 
"Do the attending physicians expect to prevent 
the inflamed gland from suppurating?" 
"They hope to, but cannot tell yet whether sup- 
puration will set in or not. Of course everything 
will be done to prevent it. If it should suppurate It 
will be a source of great trouble to the doctors and 
discomfort to the patient. I trust this may be 
avoided." 
"I should think the inflammation at this point 
would interfere with the patient opening and clos- : 
ing bis mouth?" 
"Ot course it does. Yesterday the President could 
not open his mouth at alL His teeth met and he 
could scarcely move his jaws. To-day he can. stick 
the end of his tongue through his teeth." 
"It would seem to me that the fever attending 
this swelling ot the parotid gland would tend to 
make the President more or less delirious." 
"Well, he has been delirious now and then since I 
he was shot. It only comes on at night. I notice 
he is more delirious to-night than he has been at 
any time since he was wounded." 
» "Does he show a great uneasiness by tossing of 
the head on the pillow or moving from one side to 
the other?" 
"Yes; he is very uneasy. But he bears it all with 
wonderful patience." 
"Are the doctors exerting their efforts in the direc. 
tion of removing the matter which is discharged in 
the mouth by this inflamed gland?" 
••Yes- they are using proper means to wash it 
out." 
"Has any disorder yet arisen from the bowels or 
urinary organs?* 
• •There is no trouble of that nature so far. The 
discharges from the bowels have not been so fre- 
quent as to cause any anxiety. The urine comes 
perfectly natural." 
-It is said, Doctor, that the vomiting to-day was 
brought on by the patient's effort in clearing his 
throat of this accumulated mucus?" 
• •1 think not. The President was hawking and 
s itting yesterday and it did not cause any vomit- 
jUg He vomited twice to-day, first at half-past 
0Iie o'clock and again at four. The vomit- 
ir„ the last time occurred when his throat 
wa9 being cleared of this matter from the 
affected gland. This shows that the stomach is 
still in a very bad condition. The vomiting to-day 
was not accompanied by nausea. I asked the Presi. 
dent it he felt any pain at the stomach, and he re- 
plied that he did not." 
"Has any nourishment been given the patient 
naturally within the last tew hours?'* 
"He has been given no nourishment 
except the enema since he vomited the 
last time and will not be until his stomach is again 
in proper condition for the reception ot food by way 
of the month. He has not had a hypodermic injec- 
tion of morphia to-day, although when the enemata 
are given there is a slight opiate put in it." 
GLOOM AND ANXIETY. 
It was apparent about the White House all after- 
noon that a feeling of extraordinary anxiety pre- 
vailed. The clerks attached to the secretary's 
office were impressed by it; the members of 
tho Cabinet, who came early in the morning and re- 
turned again in the afternoon, seemed to feel it, 
and there was an atmosphere of fear and danger. 
Before four o'clock all the physicians arrived, and, 
although the fact cannot definitely be ascertained, 
it is understood that they came in response to a 
summons from Dr. Beyburn, who at half-past two 
o'clock was the only physician of the staff in the 
house. If this is true the summons must have gone 
out sometime about a qnarter past three o'clock, for 
at that hour two messengers left the house 
in haste, and although the physicians do not 
usually assemble until half-past five, when they 
have finished dinner, they were all present at four. 
Dr. Agnew coming last, driven by a colored boy in 
Attorney General Wayne MacVeigh's carriage. This 
fact more than any other gave a stronger color to the 
rumors that had been current all day. These ru- 
mors soon spread to the streets and they reached 
the hotels, creating a greater excitement than it 
seemed possible could be done on Sunday and in 
view of the fact that there has been a great deal of 
excitement, some of it on baseless rumors and some 
of it not so unsubstantial, since the second day of 
July. Nevertheless the news to be given in the next 
bulletin was waited for with impatient anxiety and 
foreboding. Quite a throng of people gathered about 
the White House gates, and the newspaper corre- 
spondents, of whom the city is full, flocked in great 
numbers to the Executive offices. There was a delay 
in issuing the bulletin that added anxiety to the al- 
ready intense feeling that partook of the nature of 
despair. Presently Mr. Brown came out with the 
despatch. His desk was at once surrounded, and, 
amid breathless silence, he read the most discour- 
aging news that the bulletin has contained for 
a long time. The physicians at the time 
the bulletin was framed had not dressed 
the wound, and the report of the pulse was 
therefore not given at its accelerated movement. 
The physicians one by one slipped out, avoiding, as 
far as possible, any conversation with the corre- 
spondents and others who questioned them. Dr. 
Bliss said that the phlegm from the swollen throat 
and the parotid gland had probably caused a tem- 
porary nausea. Dr. Agnew, to whom many cards 
were sent, asked to be excused, and when 
several questions were written out and sent into 
him he replied by a verbal message that he could 
say nothing further than was contained in the bulle- 
tin. This left the situation in doubt and open to 
speculation. The most eminent surgeons here say 
that there can be no doubt, and there is no doubt, 
that the vomiting is caused by a gas- 
tric disturbance brought about by blood 
poisoning. That in this vomiting septicaemia 
asserts ifself beyond a question of dispute and that 
for any one ot the attending surgeons to deny that 
would be absurd and ridiculous. Said one, "It may 
indicate a chronic blood poisoning which will make 
its presence felt in this and other ways until the 
patient wastes and expires. If it exists his stomach 
can never attain the strength necessary 
to assimilate food as it ought to 
build up the system, and without much 
more strength, the exhaustion being greater than 
the supply; the end is only a matter of time, and 
in the President's low state of only a very short 
time." The same authority speaking of the wound 
said, "I believe that there are yet pieces of the rib 
in the wound beyond where the catheter has pene- 
trated." 
"How could that have been?" I asked. 
"It was broken off by the ball when it encoun- 
tered the bone and the piece followed along the 
wound to a place near where the ball 
is located. Now it will continue to be a source 
of trouble until it is removed. Does it not 
seem strange to you-for surgeon as I am 
it does seem strange to me-that in seven 
weeks all the science at the command of the best and 
most sklHed surgeons in this country cannot dis- 
cern what ought to be easily discovered? It illus- 
trates how ar removed my profession is from an ex- 
act science." 
"Apart irom speculation about.this bail," 1 asked, 
"do you think the cause for the President's stomach 
misbehav ng could be found elsewhere than in sep- 
ticffimia ?" 
•Most assuredly I do not. I am informed that on 
Testerclay he coughed and tried to clear his throat 
a good deal more than he has to-day, and if that be 
true surely his stomach ought to have rebelled be- 
fore this. I do not believe that any muscular sym- 
pathy with the stomach could have been created by 
the effort to clear the throat. I do not believe that 
there is any cause to reach, except blood poisoning, 
and I think the surgeons will soon admit that in 
their bulletins-probably about twenty-four hours 
after the newspapers throughout the land have pub- 
lished the fact to the people." 
'•Do you think, from your knowledge of the case, 
that the President will live?" 
"I would not be quoted by name as saying I think 
he cannot, but I will say theehance for his recovery 
is one in three hundred. In my judgment I believe 
his danger is more apparent uow than it has ever 
been before, and I am able to seo very little of hope 
for him." 
Secretary of War Lincoln came up the steps 
shortly atterward, and I asked him how he felt 
about the case and bad he hope. He had not yet 
heard or seen the bulletin, although he had 
evidently been informed that the President's 
stomach had refused to retain as it ought, and he 
answered, gloomily: - 
"The outlook is very bad, and, indeed, I feel much 
discouraged. Is the bulletin out?" 
It was read to him and he added, "I am afraid 
that we are at the serious crisis. It looks exceed- 
ingly bad." 
The Postmaster General said that his hope was 
very much shaken. He saw no encouragement in 
the condition of the President. 
Secretary Blaine said, "It is bad, very bad." 
Attorney General MacVeagh said, "I fear the worst 
is impending." 
Secretary of the Navy Hunt said:-"It looks al- 
most hopeless. Still, as the President has pulled out 
of so many hard places perhaps he can out of this." 
Secretary Windom said:-I hope for the best yet. 
Private Secretary Brown said:-"I am still hope- 
ful." 
Mrs. Garfield holds up well and Is not dis- 
couraged. 
Colonel llockwell thought the bad symptom would 
disappear to-morrow. It was only a temporary 
matter anyway. 
Dr. Boynton said:-"The case is at a serious point 
now." 
Colonel Corbin thought everything would come 
all right yet. In this view General Swaim coincided. 
To-night rain is falling cheerlessly and the night 
is gloomy. The White House was shut earlier than 
usual, but it was apparent that a feeling of despair 
had settled there before the doors were closed, and 
the inmates sought such restas they might obtain 
in their anxiety. 
TUB WHITE HOUSE AT MIDNIGHT. 
At midnight the President was resting in quiet 
and natural sleep, Drs. Bliss and Reyburu were doz- 
ing on sofas and the lights in the consulting room 
were dimly burning. A report had spread over 
the eity, following the hoofs of a galloping steed 
bearing a mounted messenger, that the Presi- 
dent had again been attacked by a fit of vom- 
iting. This the night attendants at the White 
House contradicted, and the quiet In the doctors' 
room confirmed their strtements. There was no 
pretence, however, of hopefulness at eleven o'clock. 
Dr. Reyburn said the President's condition was 
comfortable than last night and this morning. 
He slept better and more continuously. His 
stomach was relieved by the vomiting and bad been 
easier. He could not speak in cheering terms of the 
situation, but for the time being, at least, there 
was a better condition, and no immediate bad re- 
sults were feared. Secretary Blaine's despatch to 
Minister Lowell appeared soon after, and its 
tone, which was almost that of frank despair, deep- 
ened the gloom. His statements were, as usual, 
couched in lucid terms, and gave a fair view of the 
patient's condition. On one important point, how- 
ever, the Secretary did not inform our repre- 
sentative in England of the full degree of 
the pressing dangers. The inflamation of the 
parotid gland has not, indeed, increased, but this is 
because it has reached its full dimensions. In 
quality, however, it has changed for the worse. It 
has hardened and shows no disposition 
to yield to treatment and disperse the 
collected impurities. The physicians have been 
fighting this' disposition on its part with depera- 
tion. They think the inflammation must bo sub- 
dued and the matter scattered at all hazards, if by 
any means possible. They recognize the fact that to 
disperse the poison will result in its appearance 
elsewhere, but feel that if suppuration is unavoid- 
able any other spot would be preferable. 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
About one o'clock Dr. Bliss came into the secre- 
taries' room looking very tired and apparently worn 
out. When asked the cause of his weariness he re- 
plied that he had not had much rest during the 
night, as the President was quite wakeful. The fol- 
lowing conversation between the Doctor and a rep- 
resentative of the press ensued:- What About the Bullet! 
Apparently the ball that still remains in 
the President's body, and of which little 
has been heard lately, once more occupies 
the thoughts of the President's surgeons, 
for we hear now that they do not find any 
reason to believe that it has become en- 
cysted. We should have been surprised if 
they had tound any such reasons; but 
when was the examination made which 
satisfied them on this point? 
Several surgeons, in observations made 
with respect to the practice followed in the 
President's case, have argued as if there was 
a lair option in reference to what should 
have been done as to the extraction of the 
bullet when it was proximately determined 
where it lay. They have reasoned that, 
while commonly bullets are to be taken out, 
if that is readily possible, there are cases in 
which such a course is unwise; that these 
cases are to be determined upon the judg- 
ment of the surgeons in charge, and that 
such discretion was fairly exercised in this 
ease. We are of opinion that that view is 
based upon several errors; that there never 
was in this case any room for option, and 
that the ball should have been extracted 
immediately though at the greatest con- 
ceivable peril, because as it must be cut 
out before the man can get well this should 
have been done when he was at his best as 
to the con dition of his system and before any 
possible complications of disordered organs 
and depraved blood had arisen toaddto the 
danger of the operation. We assume, of 
course, that the surgeons should have known 
earlier as much as they know now of the 
actual injuries caused, the course taken by 
the projectile and its probable location, 
for this merely excludes from the argument 
the element oi delusion. 
Balls lodged in the body will become en- 
cysted and be thereby made harmless ; 
they will cause abscesses and lead to no 
end of trouble, and they will migrate, ap- 
parently without suppurative action, as in 
a case mentioned by Sir Benjamin Brodie. 
Commonly, if left in the walls of the body, 
they provoke inflammatory action, and 
abscesses of greater or less magnitude are 
formed, and these, spontaneously opening, 
give egress to the ball. If such abscesses 
open into the peritoneum death is the inevi- 
table result. Bor this reason no chances 
are to be taken in such a case, but the ball 
is to be certainly extracted if there is any 
clear indication of its immediate where- 
abouts. They are only to be left alone it 
the point of lodgement cannot be pretty 
closely determined, or if extraction 
would involve an operation of extreme 
danger, -in which cases they are properly 
left to the chance that nature will take care 
of them, which she sometimes does in a 
wonderful way. 
The President's attendants left the ball 
alone at first upon the theory that it could 
be got at only through the peritoneum, lor 
they claimed to know at just what point 
in the cavity it lay ; but when its location 
in the iliac fossa was more satisfactorily de- 
termined, they left it alone deliberately, 
on the theory that it would be encysted. 
This raises the point whether such a result 
was possible in this case. One important 
law of nature in regard to this method of 
protecting the body against the presence of 
thv bullet appears to be that it must have 
preserved nearly its original form and 
its smooth surface. Jagged masses of 
lead battered by contact with hard 
surfaces, so that they have edges which 
cut, are of course 'impossible substances. 
It can be established by the statistics of 
cases that all encysted balls have smooth 
surfaces and that all jagged balls not cut 
out are sooner or later fatal through the 
grievous trouble they make. 
Is the ball in this case one that under this 
law of nature can be encysted ? Can a ball 
be smooth and remain conical that with low 
velocity has crushed and passed through a 
bone ? 
••What was the cause of the President being so 
restless during the night. Doctor?" 
"It was caused principally by the annoyance from 
the glandular inflammation.'' 
"In what particular manner was he annoyed?" 
"Principally by the secretion of phlegm in his 
throat, which awakened him about every half hour." 
"I suppose you are still endeavoring to scatter the 
swelling of the gland?" 
"Yes, we are trying to prevent suppuration, and 
to accomplish that the inflammation must be scat- 
tered." 
"What is the probability of your succeeding in 
scattering it?" 
"Well, 1 can't say positively; but the appearances 
do not indicate that it is any worse." 
"Has there been any gastric disturbances of the 
stomach yet?" 
"None at all; the stomach appears to be improving 
all the time." 
"Have you decreased the enemata still more?" 
"We now administer an enema twice during the 
day and twice during the night-in the morning, 
afternoon and evening and at dawn." 
"About how much do you administer a day?" 
"Twenty ounces or beet extract, with the'yolks of 
four eggs." 
"Do you contemplate trying the patient with solid 
food soon?" 
"We have not discussed that subject yet. He is 
getting sufficient nourishment now." 
"How do you account for the rise in the pulse 
which was noted in the morning bulletin?" 
"I do not know exa. tly what caused it. If the pa- 
tient is turned over in bed his pulse often increases 
from eight to ten beats lor a short time, but soon 
goes down again. Perhaps ins broken sleep la-t 
night caused the rise. 1 see no other reason for it." 
"I suppose it is not significant Of anything extra- 
ordinary or unfavorable?" 
"Oh. no. For one in the President's condition no 
significance can be attached to a slight variation of 
the pulse." w 
"Does the patient complain at all of suffering 
pain from the inflammation of the parotid gland?" 
"He suffers no pain. His neck and jaw continue 
somewhat annoying, but the secretion ot saliva is 
the most annoying feature, as it causes him to 
cough, and consequently lose rest." 
"How about the wound. Doctor?" 
"The wound is in excellent condition, and the 
process of granulation has made it considerably 
smaller than it was." 
"How large in proportion to the wound is the 
channel in which the flexible tube was recently in- 
serted?" 
"The tube we used was a No. 8, American meas- 
urement, catheter, which is quite small. The wound 
will now hold a little less than two ounces of water, 
while previous to the commencement of granulation 
it would bold more than three ounces. That will 
give you an idea of how much smaller it is." 
The Doctor then explained that the small tube 
nearly filled the channel of the wound, which proved 
that it was healing satisfactorily. 
Another of the attending surgeons informed a 
friend during the afternoon that he viewed the case 
in a more hopeful light to-day than he had for sev- 
eral days past. When asked wliat he thought 
about the glandular trouble he said that while he 
should have preferred not to have met with that 
complication he did not now consider it of serious 
importance. This surgeon feared that the patient's 
stomach would not hold out, and said that he con- 
sidered that the most alarming feature in the case. 
GREAT ANXIETY. 
Executive Mansion-9:3o P. M. 
There has been no vomiting since a quarter past 
five P. M., but there is great anxiety. A change tor 
the better or worse is expected to-morrow morning. 
Executive Mansion-10:30 P. M. 
At the Executive Mansion there was a noticeable 
feeling of apprehension, but the statements of the 
attending surgeons to the eff ct that the vomit- 
ing was not occasioned by any gastric disturb- 
ance of the stomach have been accepted 
as less serious than if that organ had 
refused to perform its functions. This is the ex- 
planation ot the vomiting given by Dr. Bliss. It 
appears, contrary to the impression which pre- 
vailed up to six o'clock, that there was vomiting 
during the early afternoon-shortly after one o'clock. 
At that time the President experienced considerable 
difficulty with the phlegm which had secreted in his 
turoat, and in his exertion to raise it it excited his 
stomach to such au extent that vomiting ensued. 
This was some time after >he last portion of nour- 
ishment had been naturally administered, so that 
the theory that it was caused by phlegm in the 
throat is very generally accepted. 
Dr. Boynton, in conversation this evening, stated 
that the President has taken no nourishment since 
the first vomiting He says furher (hat the Presi- 
dent's stomach is certainly weaker to-day than it was 
yesterday, and that, while the case looks rather 
■ iscouraging to-night, he hopes, and has reason to 
believe, that the morning will bring an improve- 
ment. "If it does not," the Doctor said, "I sha 1 
feel very much discouraged and extremely anxious." 
"Do you still think, Doctor, that the President has 
septicemia?" 
"Yes, in my opinion, he has been under the in- 
fluence of septicaemia tor the past ten days. I think 
to-morrow will bring a favorable change, however. 
If it does not there will be cause tor alarm." 
Dr. Reyburn, during the course of an interview 
at a late hour to-night, said that the patient drank 
some water this evening and retained it. The Doc- 
tor did not think that the inflamed gland was any 
more serious to-night than it bad been and he at- 
tributed the vomiting to the secretion of phlegm in 
the back part ot th ■ throat. 
Executive Mansion-Midnight. 
Dr. Reyburn said at a late hour to-night that pos- 
sibly an effort would be made in the morning to ad- 
minister nourishment through the stomach. The 
enemata since the vomiting occurred have been in- 
creased in quantity, and two have been adminis- 
tered and retained to-uight. 
CABO FROM DR NORRIS, UNITED STATER ARMY. 
To THE EniTOll OF the Herald: 
Washington, August 20, 188L 
Please say that I don't even know to what de- 
spatch Dr. Hammond alludes in speaking or me as 
its author in his interview of yesterday. I have not 
seen it. It is all news to me, He refers to the 
wrong man, and it is in order for him to come for- 
ward and make the amend honorable. Very re- 
spectfully, BASIL NORRIS, AI. D., 
Surgeon United States Army, NEW YORK HERALD 
I House and there is less excitement in all circles. But 
the load of apprehension is not lifted one particle by 
the bulletins of to-day, though they are in expres- 
lion a shade more encouraging than on yesterday. 
1'he weary hours of last night, from midnight until 
daylight, were anxious ones. Dr. Bliss and Dr. Hey- 
burn remained on duty in the White House all 
night, keeping alternate watches in the sick room 
until three o'clock, at which time the President sank 
, into a deep sleep and rested quietly. They 
then left the watch to Dr. Boynton and General 
I Swaim and sought a little sleep for themselves. 
During the night ana several times before three 
o'clock Mrs. Garfield sent to them to know if there 
was any change. The answer she received was that 
the patient's stomach was doing well and had re- 
tained all the food that, up to that time, had been 
given him. As a matter of fact the quantity given 
was very small-only a spoonful on one occasion, 
which he swallowed with difficulty. He understood 
perfectly well that it was necessary that he should 
take food, and just before the first morsel was given 
him he had been asked if he could not swallow 
some. He at first refused, but after resting a while 
he called Dr. Heyburn closer to him and said 
that perhaps he could take a little. Some 
very thin milk porridge was at once prepared and 
brought to his bed. He then said he was afraid to 
attempt it just yet-would they wait awhile? Be- 
fore that, and while the porridge was being pre- 
pared, be coughed a good deal and spat away a con- 
siderable quantity of mucous matter from his 
throat. The effort appeared to be too much for 
him, and he lay quiet for awhile, and in the exhaus- 
tion caused by the effort fell asleep. When he 
swoke he thought it would be well to wait, and he 
was given a little ice water. He called for the por- 
ridge and took one spoonful, making two swallows 
of it. Then he pushed the spoon away fretfully' 
and, with a gesture of disgust, turned his head on 
the pillow. From that time ne slept at inter- 
vals until daylight, when he was quite wide 
awake again and ready for more food. This 
time he took more than before, and al- 
though he swallowed, as before, with great 
difficulty he took a second and third spoonful be- 
fore he rejected any, and this he did only when his 
swollen throat, aggravated by the effort oi swallow* j 
ing, gagged and gave him a spell of exhaustive 
coughing and hawking. 
CHOKING WITH PHLEGM. 
The fact is coming to be pretty w'ell known that 
this gagging, because of the swollen parotid gland, 
is a source of much uneasiness to the attending 
physicians, not because it is likely to strangle the 
victim of it, but because it is such a tax upon the 
physical strength, which should not be called upon 
for the least effort. After every attack of this 
coughing or gagging the President fetches a long 
breath, and then falls back on to his pillow as one 
deprived of all power of motion. The secretion 
of this mucous matter is at the root of the 
tongue, and although much is taken away by the 
coughing of the patient himself, it gathers very 
rapidly, and when he is asleep it comes down into 
his mouth and trickles through his teeth and lips 
and interferes very much with his breathing. The 
efforts that have so far been made to reduce the 
swelling and disperse the gathering have been un- 
successful. Cloths dipped in water as hot as the 
sufferer could bear were applied, together with the 
chemical preparations ordinarily used in such cases, 
and to-d >y an attempt to have him use a gargle was 
made. There were no apparent good results from 
the first, and the patient's pitiful struggle to use the 
gargle was too much for even the doctors to gaze at 
unmoved, and accordingly they allowed him to 
desist. 
ANXIOUS SURGEONS-FIRST BULLETIN-HOPE. 
The attending physicians with Dr. Agnew were on 
hand at a very early hour-:in fact quite before the 
usual time of meeting. Their anxiety, it may thus 
be seen, was scarcely less than that of the family 
and members of the household who were stirring 
unusually early, all of them impatient for the morn- 
ing's report. There was not any delay in issuing 
it, and this fact in itself gave encouragement to 
those who waited before it was read aloud by the 
private secretary. It said that the President had 
not vomited since the afternoon of yesterday; that 
he had twice asked for and received a small 
quantity of nourishment and retained it in his 
stomach; that he hid slept quietly during 
the night, and that his general condition was more 
encouraging than on the night before. Following 
this qualified statement came the temperature, 
pulse and respiration. In the light of this knowl- 
edge it began to appear as if this was not to be as 
blue a Monday as every indication pointed to last 
night. Surely the encouragement was not very 
great contained in the statements, but such is the 
state of feeling here, so sensitive is it to the lightest 
word of encouragement, although slow to respond 
to one of despondency, that at once the cloud of 
fear seemed lifted, and the spirit of renewed 
hope prevailed. But this feeling was, after all, only 
the temporary reaction of the intensity of last 
night's anxiety, and there was soon a return to the 
despondency oi tuo previous day. "Hopo deterred 
maketh the heart sick," and surely it there ever was 
a roof that covered heart sick people it was the one 
that sheltered those in the White House last night. 
And they were not prepared to so readily accept the 
conservative expression of cheer that came out from 
the sick chamber. 
DR. BLISS ONLY FEARS EXHAUSTION. 
After the wound hud been dressed and the Presi- 
dent's body sponged off he rested quietly again until 
his wife came in. She sat beside him and held his 
hand, and her presence exercised a soothing effect 
upon him, so that he dropped into sleep, 
from which he was awakened in about half 
an hour by the gathering of the mucous 
matter in his throat. A severe attack 
of gagging followed, and it was thought for a time 
that he would certainly vomit. It is understood 
that Dr. Bliss, who came into the room just then, 
said that there would be a recurrence of the vomit- 
ing. There was not, however, although the effort 
was very exhaustive. Subsequently Dr. Bliss, in 
the private secretary's office, was asked it he 
thought the gagging was likely to cause vomiting, 
and if he had not expected it several times during 
the day. The Doctor replied that he was afraid of 
its recurrence at these spells of gagging, but after 
the experience of the morning he was gaining con- 
fidence. He was quite confident, however, that 
there Was no blood poisoning to cause the de- 
rangement of the stomach and no gastric 
disturbance. He was asked then for particulars 
about the swelling of the parotid gland, and he said 
that he thought they had got the swelling in the 
face well in hand, and although they had not re- 
duced it any, it was true, they did not expect it to 
prove a source of danger. 
■■Doctor, will it suppurate any?" 
■•I think it will," was the reply, "but I believe 
four or five days will be required to show what it 
will do." 
He continued to say, in effect, that ihe danger 
now is that the President may die from exhaustion 
if the stomach cannot take food enough to 
counteract the natural drain from the sup- 
puration of the wound and the general 
waste of tissue. "I think, however," added 
the Doctor, "that the stomach will be able to meet 
the demands made upon it, and that eventually we 
will null the President through." He was further 
asked in regard to the amount of the narcotic that 
had been used with the onemata, and he said de- 
cidedly that it was not a narcotic at all and it had 
not been so administered. It is to aid the retention 
of the enemata. and is not to give the patient sleep. 
SLIGHT ENCOURAGEMENT AT NOON. 
The noon bulletin presented the fact that the 
pulse, temperature and respiration were the same as 
in the morning. This has not happened hitherto, 
and the trouble from the accumulations of viscid 
mucous at the back of the mouth had abated, 
although the swelling had not gone down any and 
the affected gland remained painless. This bulletin 
was regarded as not unfavorable, and following the 
one issued 'in the morning was perhaps a little fa- 
vorable. At noon, and including the two portions 
of liquid food given in the morning before the ex- 
amination, the President had taken twelve ounces of 
food, or just three-quarters of a pint. AU this had 
been retained, and it was the expressed opinion 
of the surgeons that its assimilation was being made 
complete. Part of this food was koumiss, but here- 
after. for the present at least, the milk gruel will be 
used almost exclusively. 
A good medical authority and one who is intimate 
with the case says that the swelling of the gland 
is a most uncertain complication, and one upon 
which he could predicate nothing. After the noon 
dressing of the wound twelve ounces more of por- 
ridge was given at intervals up till two o'clock, at 
which time the President said he had taken all he 
could swallow, remarking just before that, as they 
brought him the last portion, "Don't you 
think you are pushing matters a little?" 
It has only been within the last few 
days that the patient has made any criticisms 
on his treatment at all. He has taken just what 
was given him and done just as he was told. In the 
earlier days of his prostration be was able to talk a 
little and took an interest in things about him, but 
since his last relapse he has not seemed to notice 
much of what was going on around him, and has 
instead been querulous over the methods employed 
by the doctors, making protests when in pain and 
suggesting ways of relief. 
SPELLS OF DELIRIUM. 
His spells of delirium nave become more frequent 
recently, and when he is just on the verge of them 
he is particularly fretful. To-day ne was in that 
half-and-half condition when the wound was about 
to be dressed, and the undoing of the bandages was 
delayed until he recovered control of his mind. 
As far as can be learned he is not cross 
or harsh to those around him in these attacks, but 
rather peevish. He does as directed, however, the 
only change being that he is at times critical of the 
means employed. The facts about his delirium are 
not easily learned. Of all the features of his case this 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, AUGUST 33, 1881. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEBALD.] 
Z [Official.] 
Executive Mansion, Washington, 1 
August 22-8:30 A. M. J 
The President has not vomited since yesterday af- 
ternoon, aud this morning has twice Asked for and 
received a small quantity of fluid nourishment by 
the mouth. He slept more quietly during the night, 
and this morning his general condition is more en- 
couraging than when the last bulletin was issued. 
Pulse, 104; temperature, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES. D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
The President has continued this morning to re- 
tain liquid nourishment taken by the mouth as well 
as by enema. There has been no recurrence of the 
vomiting and no nausea. The parotid swelling is 
not materially smaller, but continues painless. It 
has caused for a day or two an annoying accumula- 
tion of viscid mucus in the back of the mouth, but 
this symptom has now much abated. At present 
his pulseis 104; temnerature, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT HEYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President has continued to take nourishment 
in small quantities at stated intervals during the 
entire day and has had no return of nausea or vomit- 
ing. The nutrient enemata are also retained. The 
wound is looking well aud the work of repair is 
going on in all portions exposed to view. The pus 
discharged is healthy. At present his pulse is 110; 
temperature, 100.1; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
REPORTS BY SECRETARY BLAINE. 
The following cablegrams were sent to-day:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President's condition has somewhat improved 
Since the last report. He has uot vomited for twenty- 
one hours, and during the forenoon has swallowed 
liquid food several times, in all about ten ounces. 
Weather very warm but it does not affect him. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President has been able to swallow and retain 
about twenty ounces of liquid food to-day, showing 
a bettor state of his stomach. But his general 
condition is serious, if not critical. He is 
weak, exhausted and emaciated, not weighing 
over 125 or 130 pounds. His weight when wounded 
was from 205 to 210 pounds. His failure to regain 
strength is the one feature which gives special un- 
easiness and apprehension. BLAINE, Secretary. 
THE POPE TO THE PRESIDENT. 
The following correspondence by cable is furnished 
from the Department of State:- 
■ Rome, August 15, 1881. 
•■James G. Blaine, Secretary of State, Washington:- 
'•As the Holy Father learned with painful surprise 
and profound sorrow the horrid attempt of which the 
President of the Republic was the victim, so now he 
is happy to felicitate His Excellency upon the news 
that his precious life is now out of danger, and will I 
ever pray that God will grant him a speedy and 
complete recovery of his health, and long spare him 
to the benefit of the United States. The under- 
signed has the honor to join in these sentiments of 
sincere congratulations and wishes for complete 
recovery. L. CARDINAL JACOBINI." 
RESPONSE BY MR. BLAINE. 
To which Secretary Blaine sent the following an- 
swer:- 
"Washington, August 22,1881. 
•■To His Eminence L. Cardinal Jacobini, Rome:- 
"Please convey to His Holiness the sincere thanks 
with which this government received the kind ex- 
pression of his prayerful interest on behalf of the 
stricken President. Since your message was sent 
the President's condition has changed. We are now 
filled with anxiety, but not without hope. The 
President has been very deeply touched by the pious 
interest for his recovery shown by all the churches, 
and by none more widely or more devoutly than by 
those of the Roman Catholic communion. 
"JAMES G. BLAINE, Secretary of State." 
a discouraging outlook. 
The President is neither better nor worse to night 
than he was yesterday. The feeling with regard to his ; 
condition is perhaps less panicky about the 
J. J. WOODWABD. I one is the one on which the surgeons are least com- 
1 muuicative. They avoid answering the most direct 
I questions with which they are plied by the press 
correspondents, aud they fight shy of any reference 
to it most adroitly. It maybe mentioned just here 
that all the information obtained from the staff of 
attending physicians is from Dr. Bliss, who alone 
oi his associates will speak of the case. Dr. Boyn- 
ton, however, who, as Mrs. Garfield's physician, and 
as a relative of the President, is installed in 
the sick chamber, has been more frank and 
communicative. Ho rarely criticised the case 
and when he has spoken of the treatment at all ha 
has done so with a thorough knowledge of all the 
facts. He has never withheld the truth, and has spoken 
always of existing facts freely aud without reserve. 
He belongs to the school of homoeopathy, as does 
also Mrs. Dr. Edson who divides the sick room 
watches with him. Now comes the story that allo- 
pathic physicians are objecting to Dr. Boynton 
giving information of the character that he has done 
hitherto, because he being of a school not recog- 
nized as knowing anything whatever about medi- 
cine, can therefore hive no knowledge of 
the President's condition. The matter is 
being watched with interest, for Dr. Boynton's re- 
lation to the people at the White House is a peculiar 
one, and the objections of the doctors in attendance 
are not likely to influence his behavior in this re- 
eard, unless he shall accede to their wishes in the 
interest of peace and harmony, as the politicians 
would say. 
HIGHER PULSE AT NIGHT. 
To-night the pulse was up to 11C and the tempera- 
ture to 100.1, the respiration to 19. But in these 
facts there was nothing to cause alarm or allay 
fear. In short the evening report was accepted as 
being neither good nor bad. For the first time in 
the day the wound was mentioned. The bulletin 
said it was doing well-at least, all portions 
of it that were exposed to view. This led to the 
question, Was the catheter used to-day? and the re- 
ply was in the affirmative, but only in the morning, j 
The flow of pus was small and healthy. The next 
question was, Why was Its use discontinued? The 
reply was because it was thought best to do so, and 
no further reason could be arrived at. 
MRS. EDSON STILL "HOPES." 
Dr. Susan E ison, the President's nurse, left the 
W'hite House to-night tor the first time since Friday 
night and drove to her home to taka a much needed 
rest. She looked completely tired out. Being asked 
what she thought of the President's condition, sho 
replied that she could not go into an extended de- 
scription of it, but that she did not think there had 
been any material change for the past three dayu. 
"If anything," said she, "he is better to-day tha.n 
yesterday. He looks about the same. He remains the 
same patient sufferer, and has, notwithstanding all Hit 
sufferings, not given up. He says but little, thoii/gh 
he pays some attention to what is transpiring abviut 
him. He is thoroughly tired out and weak. To-day 
he took an ample amount ot nourishment, but he 
did not ask for any of it." 
"Is it true that he is delirious at times?" 
"Yes, but not more so than any other patient who 
has been confined so long to the bed and whose con- 
dition is so weak. His mind is not as clear as it was. 
But what you refer to as deliriousness is the, 
result of the opiate that has been administered 
in the enema. This, of course, will remedy | 
itself as soon as the nourishment by enema is 
stopped. It is not on account of any mental weak- 
ness, for as soon as the effects of the opiate wear off 
his mind is as strong and as clear as ever." 
"Has the swelling in the throat reduced any?" 
"No, that remains at a standstill. It is very ob- 
stinate, but if anything it looks better than it did 
and gives much less pain. It still affects the jaw so 
that he cannot open his mouth as freely as he wa ats 
to. He opened his mouth three-fourths of an inch 
to-day, however. This was more than he could pos- 
sibly do yesterday or Saturday." 
"From what source do you expect trouble novr, if 
any?" 
"Dr. Bliss thinks that the only thing we have to 
fear now is from exhaustion. Dr. Agnew concurs, 
and I believe all the doctors are of the same opinion. 
There will have to be some change in the next two or 
three days." 
"Mrs. Garfield still remains at the bedside?" 
"Yes; she has not been out of the mansion since 
Friday. As I was leaving the room she wont to her 
room for the night. The President had a bad night 
last night, but I think be will pass a good one to- 
night. If I did not think so I would not have left." 
"You are still hopeful?" 
"Oh, yes. To- lay was by no means as dark as 
Monday last, wheu a great many were alarmed. He 
has a great many chances in his favor, tihough they 
are reduced from what they were some weeks ago. 
The ordeal that he is passing through, now is a se- 
vere one, and we who have watched him all along 
are not disheartened at the prospect." 
THE PAROTID GLAND TROUBIJL 
Dr. Boynton said to-night that his attention had 
been called to the very .gloomy despatch sent by 
Secretary Blaine, and, while he had been keenly alive 
to the dangers environing the President, he did not 
think that hie condition at midnight ye®terday was as 
desperate as might be inferred from the Secretary's 
despatch. To-night he feels decidedly more hope- 
ful. in regard to the inflamed parotid gland he 
said that the doctors had not succeediftd in scatter- 
ing the inflammation, and it is now nearly cer- 
tain that it will suppurate. This will prob- 
ably be accomplished within the next five or 
or six days. To-night it is possible for the Presi- 
dent to open his mouth a little more than 
he did last night, and the enlarged 
gland has given him decidedly less trouble and 
inconvenience than it did on yesterday. 
When asked why the bulletins to-day were so 
meagre he replied that he did not think the physi- 
cians were intentionally depriving the public of any 
information bearing on the case, even though at 
times they might be somewhat tardy in giving their 
own convictions in the premises. In conclusion 
Dr. Boynton said:-"Should the worst come to the 
worst, I doubt very much it General Garfield's 
mother will be brought to Washington. It could 
only result very seriously lor her and would serve 
no good purpose whatever." 
Dr. Agnew has arranged to leave this city to-mor- 
row afternoon and Dr. Hamilton is expected by the 
ten o'clock train to-morrow night. This fact has 
created new confidence in the President's ability to 
rally, as it is not believed that the doctors would 
both have left the case at the same time unless there 
were marked symptoms of improvement. 
UNMISTAKABLE EVIDENCES OF PYEMIA. 
A leading army surgeon in this city was asked this 
evening by a representative of the Herald what was 
to be deduced from the recurrence of the vomiting 
yesterday. "It is a very bad symptom," was the re- 
ply, "and indicates that the blood poisoning has 
made decided progress in its fatal work. It may be 
regarded as the beginning of the end." 
"How long do you think it is since this complica- 
tion was added to the President's case?" 
"Fully ten days ago there were marked symptoms 
of pyaemia. I know that this was strenuously de- 
nied at the time, but it is nevertheless a tact." 
"Do you think there will be any change for either 
the better or worse within the next few hours?" 
"It is hard to say. I have just spoken with one 
of the attending physicians who thinks there will 
soon be a change." 
"What would be the most effective treatment for 
combating the effects of blood poisoning?" 
"In my own practice I have used brandy, cham- 
pagne, whisky and other stimulants. This has al- 
ways produced the best results. llae septic con- 
dition of the blood produced by pyaemia, sep- 
ticsemia, &C-, is somewhat similar to that produced 
by the bite of a rattlesnake, though not so rapid in 
its action. Stimulants given in large quantities is 
the best method for counteracting the rapid blood 
poisoning produced by a rattlesnake bite, and when 
employed in cases or pyaemia I have found its 
action has been to sustain the patient and neutra- 
lize the influence at work in the circulation. I fear 
that the President's case, however, han gone too far 
to permit such means to be used." 
THE QUESTION OF STIMULANT'S. 
"In the earlier stages of the case he is said to have 
manifested a great disinclination to take stimu- 
lants of any kind?" 
"This was one of the things that the physicians 
should have insisted upon, as it was the safest treat- 
ment that could have been adopted. During the 
late war much of the exemption from blood poison- 
ing in the extended hospital practice that came un- 
der my observation was due to the tree use of stim- 
ulants." 
"In the event that a change for the 'worse should 
occur soon, would it be very marked? Do you think 
the patient would sink rapidly under it?" 
"No. The change would probably lie indicated by 
some increase in pulse with the temperature a point 
or two higher. The septic operations of pyemia 
are slow, but frightfully sure. It may ba several 
days belore the end is reached." 
"It is stated by the physicians that the vomiting 
yesterday afternoon was produced by the secretions 
from the enlarged glands accumulating in the Presi- 
dent's throat. Would this produce such an ef- 
fect?" 
"That is possible, but hardly probable. Such ac- 
cumulation could be easily got rid of by hawking 
and spitting. The truth of the matter is that some 
portion of this secreted phlegm has been swallowed 
by the President, and that is what produced the 
nausea and vomiting." 
"Do you think that the recent opening up of the 
wound has had any bad effect?" 
"No, none whatever. On the contrary it would 
have been far better had it been opened ton days 
ago, or at the time when the public was first in- 
formed that the wound had healed to within three 
and a half inches of the surface. This the physi- 
cians honestly believed, and when, on Friday last, 
they dislodged the plug of tissue that had closed up 
the wound they were so much dismayed that it was 
at first decided to keep any account of it out of the 
bulletin. The pus absorbed during the time the 
track of the ball remained plugged up is now mani- 
festing its pernicious influence, and in the fright- 
fully weakened and reduced state of the President 
there is no stock of vitality to draw upon in the 
efforts being made to build him up. That is all 
that can be extracted from the situation." 
A HOMCEOPATHIC VIEW OF THE CASE. 
Dr. T. S. Verdi, a prominent homoeopathic physi- 
cian who was at one time the President's family 
physician, said to a representative of the Hebald 
when asked what he thought of the President's con- 
dition:- 
"I consider it somewhat presumptions to give a 
decided opinion of a case which is not before me. 
Still as a physician I have formed my opinion, based 
upon the knowledge given by the bulletins 
issued by the medical attendants. I consider 
the case and, as I may as well say, I 
have always considered the case as one or 
a very critical character. The developments 
in the last week demonstrate to my mind that there 
is an absorption of pus, in other words pyaemia. 
The debility, the almost constant fever, the nervous 
irritation of his stomach, the restlessness and the 
swelling of the gland show clearly, to my mind, 
that there is absorption of poison. As an homoeo- 
pathic physician 1 look upon the constant 
administration of morphia with disfavor. To a 
susceptible patient like the President, whose con- 
stitution I know very well, having been his family 
physician in former times, the adminis- 
tration of morphine would be sufficient to 
cause irritability of the stomach. As to the 
condition of the wound itself I scarcely dare give 
an opinion, as my knowledge of it is very limited, 
not having actually seen it; but this constant flow 
of pus, if not due .to the presence of the bullet in 
the abdominal regioif, must be due to some other 
irritating substances, as spiculas of bone or some 
other foreign substauce." 
"Doctor, how long can a person live after it is dis- 
covered he has pyaemia?" 
"Generally pyaemia comes in an acute form, pros- 
trating the patient very rapidly, but there have been 
many cases occurring where pyaemia has lasted 
months before death has occurred." 
"COULD NOT BE MOBE CRITICAL." 
"What do you consider the actual condition of 
the President to-day?" 
"His present condition could not be more criti- 
cal. It is evident that after every aggravation of 
symptoms his condition becomes more serious. 
The loss of vitality is apparent every time, and as 
there must be a limit even to such a good constitu- 
tion as President Garfield's these accesses cannot 
continue very long without depriving him of lite." 
"What is your opinion of the treatment of the 
ease?" 
"As to that, I have great sympathy for the physi- 
cians attending. They are on the ground and, as 
a whole, they are men of distinguished ability. I 
feel, therefore, somewhat reserved as to passing 
judgment upon their conduct from the outside. The 
demands of people surrounding a patient in a critical 
condition are often unreasonable. Medicine or sur- 
gery ought not to exact all-science, and therefore we 
must trust the judgment so long as honor is not 
discredited. I have no doubt that those gentlemen 
have done the best they could for the President, 
though other physicians may differ. It is easier to 
find fault than to correct errors. I have been too 
often at the bedside of the patient when I felt the 
injustice of those who would pass judgment with- 
out a positive knowledge of the case." 
"Do you think that it would have been better for 
the President to have been taken away from the 
city?" 
"I do, decidedly. It seems to me he might have 
been taken to the Soldiers' Home on a stretcher 
made for the purpose and carried by a relief of men 
without endangering the patient. The air is much 
purer there and the nights cooler. I know that pro- 
tracted cases of disease in the city of Washington 
are liable to take an intermittent form, showing the 
disposition of absorbing malarial poison. This 
chance should have been given to him." 
"Is it too late now?" 
"It is never too late to give pure air to a sick man, 
unless the transportation might endanger his life in 
so doing." 
Another physician said to-night, with regard to 
vomiting:-"The enlargement of the parotid gland 
by its pressure or contiguity to the pneumogastric 
nerve is apt to irritate it and vomiting followed by 
reflex action, this being the nerve that is concerned 
chiefly in the function of digestion." 
THAT MYSTERIOUS FKVEB. 
While it is true that the attending physicians do 
not discuss the President's case outside of the con- 
sultation room they do confer with members of 
the medical profession, and impart to them more 
specifically information which they withhold in the r 
general conversations. One of the profession who 
who has such Intimate knowledge says :-"President 
Garfield, owing to his great recuperative power, has 
rallied from the imminent danger of collapse with 
which he was threatened during last week. The 
rapid pulse subsided and the low tempera- 
ature reached its normal point. For the 
next few days succeeding this critical state his 
condition appeared far more satisfactory than it had 
at any time since the shooting. The thermometer taken a small quantity of milk porridge and a little 
koumiss without nausea. It has been rumored 
that his mind has wandered at intervals, 
but this reported mental disturbance seems to have 
been nothing more than a slight incoherence of 
speech immediately after awakening from sleep be- 
fore the senses were fully under control. It 
has not occurred at any other time, ami 
is perhaps due to extreme weakness. 
The swelling of the parotid gland remains about 
stationary. Tne feeling at the Executive Mansion 
this forenoon is one of anxiety, but the general im- 
pression seems to be that there is no greater cause 
tor alarm now than there has been for two or three 
days. 
DB. BOYNTON MOKE ENCOUBAGED. 
Dr. Boynton, Mrs. Garfield's physician, who is 
now acting as nurse to President Garfield, was met 
at the Ebbitt House by a reporter, when the follow- 
ing dialogue took place:- 
••In your opinion. Doctor, what is the outlook at 
present?" 
"I think the President is a little improved to-day. 
He has taken and retained his nourishment well." 
"What kind of nourishment are you giving him 
to-day?" 
"The same as heretofore-koumiss and milk por- 
ridge." 
"Does the President appear to relish it?" 
"Oh, yes; he asked, for it this morning, you 
know." 
"How do you feel about the glandular trouble to- 
day?" 
"I feel better about it to-day." 
"Has it grown materially harder than it was?" 
"No; I do not think it quite so large as it was, and 
I am quite confident, should suppuration set in, it 
will be in a much smaller degree and have a less 
serious effect than it would have had had it com- 
menced to suppurate before. If it shou.d suppurate 
now possibly it will not do any great injury." 
"What are the chances of preventing suppura- 
tion ?" 
"Well, I can't answer that question. It is a very 
uncertain complication and one about which no re- 
liable predictions can be made." 
"How long will it be before you can decide 
whether or not suppuration is likely to occur?" 
"The glandular affection became visible on 
Wednesday last. I should think by to-morrow or 
on Wednesday we ought to be able to determine." 
"Do you consider that the President's stomach is 
performing its natural functions now?" 
"Yes, I think his stomach is doing very well." 
"There has been some talk about the President 
being delirious at times. Doctor? What are the facts 
about that?" 
"The President has been a little delirious at times, 
but it has not amounted to anything serious." 
"To what do you attribute the delirium?" 
"It is caused by his extremely feeble condition, 
together with his long illness. It would be hkely to 
occur in any case where a patient had become so en- 
feebled as the President has." 
"Then you do not attach any great importance to 
it?" 
"No, sir, not all." 
"Well, Doctor, I understand that the attending 
surgeons have administered with the enema a por- 
tion of opium. Is that true? If so, wouldn't it 
have a tendency to cause delirium?" 
"In all cases where enemata are administered a 
small quantity of laudanum or something similar is 
one of the component parts. This is administered 
for the purpose of aiding the retention of enema. 
It isn't sufficient to cause delirium." 
"What do you think.of the case, on the whole, to- 
day ?" 
"I feel more encouraged than I did yesterday." 
The Doctor intimated at the conclusion of the In- 
terview that the President was still in a very pre- 
carious condition, and that his encouragement was 
based on the outlook at the present time. 
Executive Mansion-4:10 P. M. 
The President asked Dr. Bliss this afternoon what 
he thought of his condition and the Doc- 
tor replied that if he could keep down 
nourishment enough he would go through 
all right. The President then inquired 
how long it would be, if he should make favorable 
progress, before he could take a trip on a steamer or 
go to Mentor. The Doctor could not, however, give 
him a definite reply. 
DB. BUSS ON PYAEMIA AND SEPTICAEMIA. 
Executive Mansion-10:30 P. M. 
In a conversation with a reporter Dr. Bliss said 
that the general condition of the President had not 
changed very much since yesterday, but that what 
change there had been was in the direction of 
improvement "It is furthermore," he said, "a 
change in precisely those symptoms which are re- 
garded with the most anxiety and which have 
the most direct bearing upon the future 
of the case-viz., the symptoms depen- 
dent on the conditions of the • stomach 
"The one| great question now," he said, "is the 
question of nourishment." I think there is every 
probability of complete recovery. The consequences 
of the swelling of the parotid gland or of the slight 
septic taint of the blood in which that swelling 
had its origin are of secondary importance when 
compared with the consequences of a failure of the 
stomach to assimilate food. Exhaustion is the thing 
most to be feared. The glandular swelling is 
still hard, and shows no sign as yet of 
subsiding, although the swelling of the surround- 
ing parts has pretty much disappeared. Whether 
suppuration will take place or not we cannot yet tell. 
1 am inclined to think it will. I do not, however, 
apprehend any serious consequences even in that 
case, provided we can maintain the patient's 
strength. With regard to the septic taint in the 
blood, which was the predisposing cause of the 
glandular inti immation, Dr. Bliss said:-"In 
cases of this kind, where the patient be- 
comes enfeebled by long continued fever and 
suppuration, there is always a low and impover- 
ished state of the blood. It is, indeed, a sort of 
mild blood poisoning, but it is a very differ- 
ent thing from pyaemia. Pyremia is caused 
by absorption into the blood of the dis- 
united elements of broken down pus. Small 
fragments of fibrine are carried into tne circulation, 
and wherever such a fragment lodges in one of 
the minute blood vessels it becomes a centre of 
suppuration. The symptoms of py®mia, such as 
the disorganization and peculiar odor of the pus, 
the yellowish tint of the skin, the odor of the 
breath and the increased temperature of the body, 
are all marked and unmistakable and none of them 
has at any time appeared in the President's case." 
Upon being asked whether septicaemia did not 
often precede pyamia the Doctor said:-"Yes; but 
pytemia does not by any means necessarily lollow 
septicaemia. They are distinct conditions, entirely 
independent of one another. The President has no 
symptoms whatever of pytemia." 
DB. GABNOCHAN's OPINION NOT VEBY FAVOB- 
ABLE. 
A reporter of the Herald called last evening at 
the residence of Dr. John M. Carnochan, No. 14 
East Sixteenth street, to get his views on 
the treatment of the President, his pres- 
ent condition and prospects of recovery. The 
Doctor had just returned from his country 
seat and was in very genial mood, though at first, 
when the object of the visit was made known, in- 
clined to be reticent, feeling a little delicacy, as be 
explained, in the President's present critical con- 
dition, of giving any professional opinion in the 
case. He, however, answered the questions asked 
him, and, as will be seen, was quite fresh and out- 
spoken in declaring his views. 
••What is your opinion of the medical and surgical 
treatment of the President?" was among the first 
questions put to him. 
, "I prefer," answered the Doctor, "not to express 
an opinion upon that point, as it might be looked 
upon as inopportune." 
"In what respect inopportune?" 
"The present condition of the President is so crit! 
cal that any opinions expressed upon the case now 
might be viewed differently from what might be the 
real intention." 
"Did you not form an opinion upon the case im« 
mediately after the assassination?" 
"A report given to the public directly after the sad 
event stated positively that the bullet had pierced 
the liver and entered the abdominal cavity." 
"What was your own belief?" 
"Notwithstanding this report the absence ol 
symptoms indicating that the ball had perforated 
the pcretomal cavity or bad seriously injured any of 
the important organs therein contained was 
sufficient to induce a contrary belief. Thera 
certainly were no such conclusive symptoms 
manifested immediately or within the first 
three days after the injuries were received. On the 
contrary there were strong evidences, according tc 
the leports, soon after the assassination that the 
ball had not pierced the cavity of the peritoneum, 
but had been deflected downward toward the iliac 
region, as in one of the reports made public at the 
time* an indurated and discolored spot was stated to 
have been thus felt near where the extreme limit of 
the track of the wound is now said to have been 
reached." 
"Would it have been good surgery to have acted 
upon this supposition ot the presence of the ball?" 
"From the report given at the time alluded to in- 
dications were sufficiently marked to have justified 
an incision made in this direction with the hope of 
reaching the ball and extracting it. The President 
was then in good condition, and the incision of 
search implied only a wound of unimportant parts 
if carefully made." 
"Then you think the track of the wound as at 
present described presents a strong inference that 
the ball has been located in the vicinity of the last 
confined collection of pus or last reported abscess?" 
"There certainly are strong reasons tor believing 
that the presence of the bullet produced that last ab- 
scess and that It was or is in proximity to the last 
reported confined collection of pus." 
"Is it your opinion that the ball is encysted?" 
_ 'I should say not. The bullet is stated to have 
fractured and comminuted the eleventh rib, and 
this fact, according to experience, will have ehanged 
the shape of the ball, flattening it more or less, ren- 
dering it irregular and jagged, and thus preventing 
it from being encysted." 
SUFFERING FROM PY-EMIA. 
"Is the ball likely to do harm by remaining in th# 
body?" 
"A ball that has not been encysted is almost cer- 
■ tain to be injurious while resting among the tissue# 
of the body. It will most likely produce abscess or 
collection of pus, or by progressive absorption may 
traverse the tissues and change its place from a po- 
sition primarily innocuous to one of ektreme dan- 
• ger as encroaching upon vital organs." 
"By the reports of to-day do you consider the 
President's case as beyond the hope of recovery?" 
"The President's case is surrounded by complica- 
tions of the most grave character. He is now in a 
condition of great exhaustion arising from pro- 
longed illness and confinement to a recumbent posi- 
tion. The character of his blood is devitalized from 
these and other causes, such as defective nutrition, 
emotional influences, want of natural rest, pro- 
longed and irresponsive medication and also all 
purulent absorptien or pyaemia." 
"Then you have no doubtof his having pyaemia?" 
"I have never had any doubt but that he was 
suffering partly from pyaemia, as was necessarily to 
be inferred from the symptoms which have been 
manifested." 
"Have you regarded these symptoms of pyaemia 
as complicating the condition of the President?" 
"Pyaemia occurring during the progress ot severe 
surgical injuries is regarded as of the utmost grav- 
ity and as a suspected prognostic of a fatal termi- 
nation." 
"How long is it since you supposed the President 
to have been suffering from pyaemia?" 
"Judging from the reports, I conclude the symp- 
toms of pyaemia existed prior to the operation made 
for the opening of the first abscess or first collection 
of confined pus." 
"Has the case been free of this complication, in 
your opinion, since then?" 
"I believe oot." 
"Upon what basis do you form this opinion?" 
"If any doubt had existed prior to the appearance 
of the inflamed condition of the parotid gland as re- 
gards pyaemia being present and acting an impor- 
tant part in the concatenation ol the President's 
symptoms none can exist now." 
"In what manner does the absorption of pus pro- 
duce inflammation at a distance from the seat of the 
injury?" 
"At times the pus is taken up by the venous rad*, 
cals and deposited directly iu the substance of an 
organ or a gland and acting there as a focus of irri- 
tation, inflammation is produced, or the small ves- 
sels of an organ obstructed by molecules, and in 
this way in a system rendered already cachectic by 
prolonged disease, inflammatory action is aroused." 
"Are other organs than the parotid gland liable to 
this kind of infection?" 
"Yes; about all of the parenchymatous organs ar# 
liable to be affected by purulent infection; tha 
registered a healthy temperature, while the 
pulse ranged but little above 100. This 
proved only temporary, and again that mysterious 
fever appeared. No one certainly cm be 
sanguine of his case until this abates. The impor- 
tant question is, to what can this unfavorable symp- 
tom be attributed which, seven weeks since the 
wound was inflicted, appears to be as little disposed 
to leave as when it began? Excluding the the- 
ory of malaria, to which I do not at- 
tach much importance, there remains but 
two probable cases-viz., blood poisoning and sup- 
puration. Fever suppuration unduly prolonged 
produces an irritation or hectic fever, most pro- 
nounced toward evening, and accompanied by pro- 
gressive emaciation and exhaustion. The condition 
of the wound must decide t% which of these 
we are to give the prominence. Several days ago, 
when this was stated by the attending surgeons to 
have healed from the bottom to within three inches 
of the surface, a pyaimic state alone re- 
mained accountable for this life-sapping enemy. 
But as later we have been told by the 
same authority that a catheter was inserted 
twelve and a half inches along the track of the ball 
we can most reasonably look to the latter of the 
two probable causes as the source of mis- 
chief. Either alone is bad enough, and 
it is possible that we may have them 
combined. The sinus will remain open as long as 
the irritation continues at the other extremity of 
it, and in this case the fever will last as long as the 
Presidents life can give fuel to the fire. 
nature needs assistance. 
"It is not to be inferred from this that the case is 
absolutely hopeless, but for a happy issue either 
nature must soothe the irritation by encysting the 
ball or science must come to her aid and remove 
it. After the lapse of seven weeks little or 
no progress whatever has been made in 
this direction, and General Garfield's wound is in all 
probability as deep now as the day he was shot. 
The swelling of the parotid gland is most likely des- 
tined to receive greater space in the future bul- 
letins than in the past. To me it is 
rather more significant of the extreme debil- 
ity of the patient than an indication of pyiemia; 
at any rate it is a serious complication from the fact 
that suppuration nearly always occurs, and the ex- 
haustion of this together with the possibility of 
hemorrhage from ulceration of some of 
the neighboring blood vessels adds materially 
to the dangers of the case. To sum up the condition 
1 may say that the President is evidently suffering 
from an irritation or hectic fever of suppuration 
produced by an irritant which nature appears to- 
tally inefficient to remove; and also added to this 
there may be a condition of blood poisoning. As 
serious complications of an already desperate state 
there exist, then, extreme irritability of the 
stomach, interfering With nutrition, and infl imma- 
tion of tne parotid gland, with its concomitant lan- 
gours of suppuration." 
"GOOD NIGHT" BEPOItTS. 
The Cabinet remained at the White House some- 
what later than usual to-night, it being half past 
ten o'clock when they departed for their respective 
homes. Before leaving Secretary Lincoln sent a 
telegram to a Senator in Maine'informing him that 
the President's condition had not materially changed 
from that of yesterday. A representative of the 
Herald asked the Secretary if he had any reason to 
feel more encouraged at the President's condition 
to-night than be did yesterday. He replied, "The 
President seems to be holding his own:-While 
it does not appear that he has materially 
[ gained anything since yesterday, yet he seems to 
have lost nothing. His condition is about the 
same as it Wjs yesterday. I was just in- 
formed that ho was resting quietly and 
evidently suffering very little pain from the 
inflamed gland, which has not increased nor 
yet diminished. The surgeons are somewhat reti- 
cent as to what may result from it. You may state 
that his condition has not materially changed since 
yesterday, and there is still hope of his recovery." 
A few minutes later Private Secretary Brown in- 
formed the few lingering persons in his room that 
the hour for closing had arrived, and he would make 
a good night statement and extinguish the 
lights. He said:-"The President has been 
sleeping for the last two hours, with ap- 
parent comfort, except occasionally turning 
his head upon his pillow somewhat restlessly, and 
no doubt produced by the swollen gland. He has 
Jiaken and retained considerable nourishment 
to-day and does not experience any inconven- 
ience from the phlegm in his throat. He 
can open his mouth with more ease than 
he could last night, and there are indications that 
his pulse has decreased. The Cabinet have all gone 
home feeling more encouraged than they did last 
night, and there is a general feeling that the Presi- 
' dent is slowly but surely gaining ground." 
- 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETIN. 
Executive Mansion-11 A. M. 
The President's condition has not materially 
changed since the morning bulletin. There has 
been no recurrence of vomiting and the patient has joints also are liable to be attacked by purulent de- . 
posits in this way; the lungs, kidneys, spleen and 
even ths brain and the general tissues of the body 
way all be more or less intected by this dreaded in- 
ter-current complications of surgical injuries." 
"Do I understand from what you have just said 
that there Is any liability or possibility In the 
President's case of other organs beside the parotid 
gland being aliected by pyaemia?" 
".Such occurrence is one of the dangers impending 
in liis case." . 
"With all the complications thus embarrassing 
the present condition of the President is there much 
hope of his recovery?" 
"With a patient whose life had been associated 
with habits of habitual irregularities 1 should con- 
sider the patient's future as entirely hopeless. The 
President's antecedent excellent physical condition, 
and his habits, marked by observance of hygienic 
rules, migiit save him, and an additional chance 
would be afforded him if the bullet and other source* 
of local irritation were removed." 
de. Hamilton's opinion unchanged. 
"When are you going back to Washington?" In- 
quired a Herald reporter of Dr. Prank H. Hamilton 
last night. 
"By arrangement I shall relieve Dr. Agnew to- 
morrow night," was the reply. 
Dr. Hamilton declined to enter into any lengthy 
conversation on the President's illness, but he ex- 
pressed himself willing to say that he still enter- 
tained an opinion that the President will eventually 
recover. 
Condition of the President. 
Regular continuation of the pysemic 
symptoms of low delirium, somnolency, 
difficulty of utterance, .nausea and a varia- 
tion in temperature that runs regularly to a 
point slightly below what is normal are all 
the facts to be noted in the record of an- 
other day ; but the painful inference that 
must always follow is that he is a day the 
worse so long as no .hopeful change has 
taken place. All the information as to the 
parotid gland seems to involve some elements 
of contradiction. At one hour it is reported 
that the endeavor is to preventan abscess ; at 
another we hear that'the trouble is treated 
with poultices. From all that has been re- 
ported of the troubhe the gland has caused 
in the throat it may be apprehended that 
the active external applications have not so 
much scattered this trouble as given it an 
unfortunate direction. Occasionally this 
abscess opens into the throat, and if this 
should happen to the President in his pres- 
ent helpless state it is barely possible that 
it might not instantly attract attention. 
Suffocation has been caused in that way. was bent to assist the natural tendencies 
of hts constitution, but every day he lost ground 
and at the end of the fifty-second day his weight has 
fallen to 125 or 130 pounds from 210 pounds, or at 
the rate of one and three-fifths pounds a day. 
B^STLESSNESS OF THE PATIENT. 
The night was rendered further uncomfortable to 
the patient by the gathering of the mucous matter 
in the throat. It was, however, easily lifted, and 
the annoyance was therefore not iso great as it has 
hitherto been by reason of the tenacity with which 
the secretions cling to the roof of the 
mouth. Taken altogether the night was a very 
bad one, although not marked by the more 
■erious symptoms. It is not strange that his rest- 
lessness which, it is said, was caused to a greater or 
less extent by the delirium through which his mind 
wandered, created a deeper feeling of fear and ap- 
prehension in the White House than would have 
sprung from more dangerous though quiet 
phases of the case. Therefore all sorts of alarming 
rumors based upon the excitement in the Executive 
Mansion were current at a late hour last night. The 
morning bulletin robbed them of their seriousness 
in some measure. It told of the larger quan- 
tity of food that had been given the 
President, which in quantity exceeded anything he 
had received during the corresponding hours of 
any day of the past week, and that the use of nutri- 
ent enemata had been continued at longer intervals, 
while the swelling of the neck remained unchanged. 
To this bulletin was signed, in addition to the 
names of the four attending surgeons, that of Er. 
Agnew, who left directly after the wound was 
dressed in the morning for Philadelphia by the 
limited express. 
TEMPTING THE PRESIDENT'S APPETITE. 
The forenoon passed without any special inci- 
dent. It was ordered that to the milk gruel should 
be added the juice of a fresh steak. This was pre- 
pared by placing a small piece of rare tenderloin or 
fillet of selected beef into a press, such as is used to 
squeeze out the juice of lemons, and allowing the 
produced fluid to drop on to the gruel as it simmered 
in the dish. There it was stirred until it mingled 
perfectly, and a little peptonized milk being added 
it was ready for the patient. In bringing food to the 
President. The greatest care has been taken to 
make it as appetizing as possible in its service, and 
a set of white china dishes has been used which are 
brought on a tray covered with the whitest damask. 
Everything that could tempt the sufferer in the neat 
and careful arrangement of the food has been 
thought of. Mrs. Garfield, who has unquestionable 
taste in such matters, frequently attends to this 
herself. When the tray was brought to the Presi- 
dent, he said to his wife, "That looks nice; I won- 
der if it tastes as well as it looks?" 
"Yes," was Colonel Rockwell's reply, "I dare say 
it tastes as well as I know it smells, and as both of 
us can see it looks." 
The President was given a spoonful, and said, 
"I have no longer any sense of taste. It is very in- 
sipid, but I'll eat some more." And he swallowed 
several spoonsful, passing them down his throat 
with a great and apparently painful effort. His 
wife fed him herself on this occasion, and when 
he had eaten about four ounces he said, 
"That's enough; it's quite a breakfast, and I am 
very tired." After that he lay quiet for a long 
time, and he was found to be asleep. When they came 
to sponge him off, as usual, between nine and ten 
o'clock, he was asked if he would have a little 
more gruel and he said "No," and after a while they 
asked him again and he declined. It was then de- 
cided to administer nutrient enamata, which 
was done, the material being the liquid ex- 
tract of beef, with muriatic acid in it. 
From that time tiU noon the President slept at inter- 
vals, but the throat and mouth were very, very 
troublesome, and annoyed him a great deal. He 
became more peevish and fretful about noon, and 
after waking from one of his short naps was 
thought to bo in a delirium, from whieh, however, 
he soon emerged. The examination upon which the 
noon bulletin was based reported the condition 
of the wound at the time of the morning dress - 
ing. It was then said to be healthy in 
aonearance and exuding healthy pus. It further 
stated that the mucous accumulations in the back 
of the mouth were less viscid and gave little trou- 
ble. Your correspondent ascertained, however, that 
the President has a different way of defining the 
trouble, and that in the course of the afternoon he 
complained bitterly, saying at one time that it 
ought to bo an easy thing to do to remove those 
accumulations that were so annoying though not 
painful. Food was administered several times. 
Once the patient said he didn't want it. 
Dr. Boynton said"If your stomach will take it 
at all you ought to." 
"It isn't my stomach," responded the sufferer, 
"it's my mouth. I can't get it into the stomach. I 
guess the stomach will do its duty. It feels all right. 
I'll try." And he took the food. 
The patient felt the heat a good deal during the 
day, and complained of it, but the temperature did 
not rise beyond what it should be, and the Jennings 
apparatus, which has been in readiness for some 
time, was not started. 
DR. BLISS TALKS HOPEFULLY. 
I met and talked with Dr. Bliss as he came from 
the noon examination. He looked tired enough to 
go to sleep in his buggy as he talked. He eaid the 
patient was doing "really very well.'' 
"That is not definite. Doctor. Is he getting bet- 
ter?" 
"I have no doubt that he will get well. Todo that 
he will have to get better." 
"But has be shown any well defined signs at im- 
provement to-day or yesterday?" 
"Well, I cxnnot say that. A man in his state of 
prostration who does not get worse gives promising 
indications." 
"Is that, then, what is meant by the bulletins 
when they say 'favorable?' " 
"No, I think not, although the word is sometimes 
used to express that condition. It generally means 
that there is improvement. These bulletins are 
meant to give the President's condition briefly and 
correctly at the time they are issued, and not to be a 
history ot every medical turn in the case. They are 
meant to faithfully report the President's condition, 
and that they do?" 
"But will you not tell me if they tell the truth? 
Do they not sometimes conceal a good deal?" 
"No, that is not the purpose neither as a rule, nor 
has it been in any instance. There has been some 
misunderstanding about that." 
"Has the increased quantity of food the patient 
has taken made its good effects apparent by greater j 
strength ?" 
"His pulse has been less frequent and its character 
seems to show a change tor the better and is, per- 
haps, stronger." 
"What is the condition of the parotid gland? is it 
going to 'gather,' to use the old country phrase?" 
"I really don't know whether it wilTor not. It is 
still hard to the touch, but it don't show any signs 
of suppuration or gathering. It will not be for two 
or thiee, or perhaps four, days that its suppuration 
will become decidedly apparent." 
"As to blood poisoning, Doctor?" 
"Never was any. The blood has been in a septic 
condition, and it is passing away-at least wo think 
so." 
"What are the signs or indications of that fact?" 
"They are very many, but those which I can 
scarcely define just now." 
"About the wound?" 
"The wound is getting on splendidly."' 
And thus speaking the Doctor nodded, and his cob 
ored driver turned the horse's head from the White 
House. 
IB. betbubn's opinion. 
Your correspondent met Dr. Heyburn on the front 
piazza of tne White House as -he was returning to thd i 
patient. The Doctor was asked what he thought ot I 
the case. He said he left the President soon after 
two o'clock in the afternoon and there was no 
change. "He was no better and he was not worse. 
Ot course he is some better than on Sunday night, 
because then he could not receive food into his 
stomach and we had to use enemas, while now 
he receives food by the mouth acid the 
stomach retains it without nausea. Therefore 
wo are increasing the food by the mouth and re- 
ducing the enemas. That, of course, is better, be- 
cause the prolongation ot lite by enema is only a 
question of comparatively brief time, while we all 
know how life can bo prolonged if the food is acted 
upon by the stomach." He said he did not give 
such weight to the flightiness and wandering of 
mind which appeared on Sunday afternoon as others 
did, as anyone who had watched fever patients knew 
how frequent such troubles occurred. That trouble 
has greatly decreased, and he did not anticipate any 
more from it. He said he thought the President 
would eventually recover, but acknowledged, in 
answer to a question, that his strength must be 
greatly improved befo're he could stand any further 
complication or the least relapse. He was greatly 
alarmed Sunday evening, but is hopeful to-day, from 
the President's wonderful power of recuperation. 
"He is very weak, though, and is so reduced that he 
has no reserve power or vitality to draw upon in 
case of another relapse unless be gains strength be- 
forehand front the nourishment he takes. If the 
worst should come he will go to pieces rapidly when 
he begins to break." 
There was nothing in the evening bulletin to give 
either encouragement or hope. The fact that the 
pulse was not as frequent as on last night at the 
same hour and that the temperature was nine-tenths 
lower was accepted by many as the proof ot an im- 
provement. But those who knew that in spite of 
this that the sufferer's mind was flighty and that fits 
spirits, when not swayed by the frequently recurring 
deliriums, were very low and despondent knew that 
what would have otherwise been encouraging d'id 
not operate as a factor for good in the presence of so 
serious a portent. The bulletin included the state- 
ment that the President was improving in other re- 
spects. Meeting Dr. Reyburu again 1 fsked him in 
what other respects besides the stomach, the swollen 
parotid gland and the wound was the President ail- 
ing? 
"None other," he said, scanning the bulletin. 
"Is it the wound, then, improving?" I asked. 
"Yes, the wound is improving very much in- 
deed." 
"Is the catheter still being used?" 
"We use it to wash out the wound." 
"Do you insert It as tar as you did when it went 
in twelve and a half inches from the exterior end of 
the sinus?" 
"Not always." 
At this moment the Doctor's attention was drawn 
in another direction and he hastened away. 
MBS. EPSON'S REPORT. 
Dr. Susan Edson said to-day that there was no 
material change in the condition of the President. 
On being asked if the dressing of the wounds was 
paintul now, the Doctor replied:- 
"Yes, the flesh is sore to the touch, and it hurts 
him very much while the dressing is going on. But 
he does not complain of it any more than when ho 
was stronger, nor does it seem to distress him 
more than when ho was better able to bear it." 
"Is he ever raised now in the bed?" 
"No, not since the stomach became so easily dis- 
turbed. He is lying perfectly level. We move the 
pillows under his head occasionally and give him a 
little change ot position in that way, which is very 
gratifying and restful to him." 
••Have any new appliances arrived lately for use 
in the sick room?" 
"No doubt they are constantly, but not many 
of them reach the sick room. We have 
everything we need, but a pillow came lately 
which is used by the President with groat 
comfort. This pillow is about a yard long, 
is tilled with do*n and divided into four sections, 
letting it double up easily. Outside of its practical 
uses it is beautifully made, covered with brocaded 
silk, and there came with it several sets of hand- 
NEW YORK HERALD 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, J88L 
[by telegraph to the herald.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, August 23-8:30 A. M. J 
The President slept the greater part of the night, 
but awoke at frequent intervals. He has taken 
since last evening a larger quantity of liquid food 
by the mouth than in the corresponding hours 
of any day during the past week. The use of 
nutrient enemata is continued at longer intervals. 
The parotid swelling is unchanged. Pulse, 100; 
temperature, 98.4; respiration, 18. 
1). W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12 ^0 P. M. 
, The President continues to take by the mouth 
and retain an increased quantity of liquid food. 
At the morning dressing the wound looked well, 
and the pus was of a healthy chaa-acter. The mu- 
cus accumuiatreaa in the back of the mouth on ac- 
count of the parotid swelling are less viscid, and 
now give^but little trouble. At present his pulse is 
104, temperature 98.9, respiration 18. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President has continued to take liquid fo od 
by the mouth at regular intervals during the day, 
and has had no recurrence of gastric disorder. The 
parotid swelling remains unchanged. In other 
respects the symptoms show some improvement 
over his condition yesterday afternoon. Pulse, 104; 
temperature, 99.2; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, J. J. WOODWARD, 
J. K. BARNES, ROBERT REYBURN. 
mb. blaine's despatches. 
The following messages were sent by cable:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
In the last twelve hours, since one o'clock this 
morning, the President has swallowed eighteen and 
a half ounces of liquid food. He has had no nausea. 
The pulse and temperature not essentially changed. 
In the judgment of his physicians he has lost noth- 
ing since last despatch. If there be any change it is 
for the better. BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 23-11 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President's condition is more encouraging 
than it was at this time last night. During 
the last twenty-four hours he has swallowed 
ten ounces extract of beef r.nd eighteen 
ounces of milk, retaining and digesting 
both. He has twice asked for food, which he has 
not done before for several days. Pulse and tem- 
perature are both somewhat lower. The swelling of 
the parotid gland has not specially changed. Its long 
continuance at the present stage increases the fear of 
suppuration. At this hour (eleven o'clock) physi- 
cians report that the President has rested quietly 
the entire evening. BLAINE, Secretary. 
A STATIONARY CONDITION. 
There is no change in the President's condition to- 
day. His stomach has not again revolted, nor has 
the wound presented any new developments. The 
swollen glands of his neck have neither been reduced 
nor increased in size. In fact, he is the same as he 
was yesterday, only that he is able to take more rood 
and to retain it. Meanwhile the surgeons are not 
able to report any change for the better. All they 
can say is that things are favorable, and if there has 
been any change at all it has not been for the worse. 
Last night was an anxious one. The President 
rented badly. The bulletin says he slept the greater 
part of the night, but awoke at intervals. As a 
matter of fact his restlessness and fretfulness was 
more marked than any of the nights since the re- 
lapse of the latter part of J uly. He moved uneasily 
and moaned several times, not from pain, he ex- 
plained, but from sheer weariness. 
"He is very, very tired," said Mrs. Garfield to a 
visitor to-day; "tired of the confinement, tired of 
the room in which he is, and simply worn out with 
his own grand effort to be patient. If he doee com- 
plain a little who can wonder?" 
And, sure enough, if he does complain who can 
wonder. For fifty-three days he has been face to 
face with death, the weather oppressive, the sani- 
tary surroundings not the best, his heart longing 
for the shaded Ohio farmhouse at Lawnfield and the 
gravity of his condition continually impressed upon 
him by the presence of six surgeons, combating 
every inroad upon his vitality and seeking to build 
up again the wasted body and cure the cruel 
wound. In all this effort he has himself 
furnished the chief aid. His resolute will somely made linen covers. The President can be 
on the right side, and is not inconvenienced by the 
swollen gland at all. He has this pillow put under 
his head, and it accommodates itself so nicely that 
it gives him great comfort. Then sometimes, 
if he wants bis foot raised, we double 
over one section of the pillow, malting tn 
inclined plane, and a change like that is very agree- 
able to him. Somehow or other it seems that not a 
single thing scarcely has been needed in the sick 
room but what has been anticipated by somebody 
outside, aud we have received it just iu time. The 
President is qnite able to move bis head about on 
tl>e pillow until he gets it comtortably settled to 
suit him." 
"I HAVE NOT LOST HOPE." 
"How near do you think Secretary Blaine's idea 
of the President's loss of flesh comes?" 
"Well, about as near as any one can guess at it. 
He is terribly reduced, but I cannotsay whether it 
is down as low as 125 pounds. His arms are quite 
small, indeed, and his limbs would probably not 
measure more in girth than the arms of a moder- 
ately stout person. There is, of course, a great 
change in his apriearance." 
"What do you apprehend now?" 
"Well, nothing but exhaustion. He is not much 
annoyed now by the mucous accumulations in the 
back of the mouth. The swelling is reduced near 
the gland, but it remains hard and painful yet. It 
looks hopeful." 
"Does be suffer from thirst?" 
"No; sometimes when I hand him a glass partly 
filled with koumiss he will seem to like taking a 
good swallow of it. He does not care for water any 
more, and drinks very little of it. To-day he hud 
quite a moderate quantity of beef extract, and 
seemed to relish it as much as he did before his 
stomach became so weak." 
"How do you think it is all going to end?" 
"I have not lost hope yet, by any means. Of 
course his condition is one of 'great anxiety, but 
there is yet good grounds for hope." 
"Does he get much rest during the day?" 
"Yes, he gets several good naps every day. Last 
night he awoke frequently, but slept the better part 
of the time. I remember saying in the early part 
of the President's sickness that he would have to 
get a great deal worse before he could get better 
as quicKly as everybody wanted. Well, one can 
almost say the same thing now. In critical periods 
like this, while it is very easy to detect any bad 
symptoms, the condition may remain the snme for 
some days without any material improvement show- 
ing. Those about the sick room to-day concur in 
the belief that if there has been any change at all it 
is on the favorable side, and this view is based on 
the fact of his taking more aud stronger nourish- 
ment ami seems to be benefited by it." 
MESSRS. SWAIM AND ROCKWELL ENCOURAGED. 
General Swaim, one of the President's attendants, 
was asked this evening, at half-past six o'clock, if 
there was really any improvement in the condition 
of tho patient. 
"Tbe bulletin will be out in three minutes," re- 
plied the General. 
"Yes. I know that; but I want your opinlou. Gen- 
eral," said your correspondent, "tor you are with 
the patient a great deal and can give a better idea of 
his condition than tbe bulletin will convey." 
Tho General hesitated, and then said, "Well, he 
has not gone back any, and if there is any change it 
is for the better. Tbe swelling of the glaud, how- 
ever, shows no favorable change. Of course I can- 
not say what will be the ultimate development of 
this ailment, it will not seriously inter:ere with 
tho President's progress. I am quite satisfied with 
the symptoms this evening, and have strong 
hopes." 
Just as the half-past six o'clock bulletin was 
issued, Colonel .Rockwell, also one of tne President's 
attendants, camo trom the sick room and said that 
he was gratified at the symptoms indicated at that 
time, and referred particularly to tbe pulse, which 
he said was lower than had been the ease in the 
evening bulletin for some time. 
"Do you observe marked improvement in the pa- 
tient ?" 
"He has certainly lost no ground, and, perhaps, 
there is a slight perceptible improvement. I think 
it is safe to put it that way. His nourishment to- 
day was taken in larger quantities than usual, and 
there are good reasons upon which to base strong 
hopes for the future." 
"What about tbe inflammation of the parotid 
gland?" 
"Ihat remains about the same, but the Presi- 
dent can open his mouth wider to-day than 
he did yesterday and wider yesterday than 
he could the day previous. That shows some im- 
provement. In fact, ever so little improvement 
amounts to a good deal just now. Besides, I believe 
the President expresses himself as feeling better to- 
day." 
'•The wound continues to do well?" 
"As far as it is concerned there is no anxiety what- 
ever. The dressing this evening was one of the 
most satisfactory ones that has occurred during tbe 
sickness. The discharge of pus was not great, but 
what there was of it was of a light, pinkish color, 
such as ought to come from a healthy process of 
suppuration. The work of granulation is progress- 
ing very favorably." 
DIL BOYNTON SEES SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. 
Dr. Boynton said, at half-past eight o'clock, that 
he was feeling more cheerful than he had for the 
past two days. 
"You recollect what I told you the other evening- 
that I should feel very much discouraged if a change 
for the better did not take place yesterday, and, ou 
the other hand, very much encouraged if an im- 
provement was noticeable. Well, to-night I am 
more cheerful." 
"Then you see a substantial improvement in the 
President's condition?" 
"I sec slight improvement. He rests easier. He 
has partaken of more nourishment to-day than 
yesterday. In sleeping he places his bunds on tho 
back of his head, in the manner in which he slept 
when in health. There is not the same amount of 
restlessness about the head." 
"The Presidont generally expresses his feelings to 
you. Doctor. Now, what does he say to-day?" 
"He told me he felt stronger, aud he shows in his 
demeanor a more composed feeling. He has been 
slightly delirious. That has disappeared to some ex- 
tent, so that there is some improvement in that 
direction. The accumulated mucus is removed 
irom the mouth by rinsiug it out in the ordinary 
way." 
"The bulletin states that the parotid swelling re- 
mains unchanged. Do you anticipate that it will 
suppurate?" 
"it may not, but the probability is that it will." 
"In case it should would it add an additional 
burden to the President's debility?" 
"To a slight degree, in so much as the process of. 
f suppuration would tax his strength. However, this 
will not be a serious matter by any means, as it has 
been kept under control to such an extent that it 
will be of a mild character." 
"I learn the patient can now open his mouth 
much wider thau he could yesterday and the day 
before. Ought I understand from this that the 
President can articulate clearly?" 
"AVell, he can make himself understood.'* 
"Secretary Biaine speaks in one of nis despatches 
of the great loss of flesh by the patient since his 
sickness. Is this so great?" 
"Yes, he is very weak and very much emaciated." 
"Do you look tor a favorable bulletin to-morrow 
morning?" 
"I nope for it. I have al wavs been hoDOful." 
MRS. GARFIELD'S DEMEANOR. 
Mrs. Garfield to-night is represented by a visitor 
who saw her for a few moments as boing still quite 
1 cheerful and hopeful. She said, however, that she 
was much afraid that the house itself was in an un- 
healthy condition. She referred to the drainage as 
being bad and to the smells that camo from the sew- 
age pipes, which were sometimes quite perceptible, 
especially on those hot nights. "The system of 
carrying away the sewage," she remarked, "is sim- 
ply vile. I begin to feel that there is something that 
keeps my husband nn his back when he ought to be 
well." 
"Nevertheless," was the report of the visitor, "I 
saw she was confident that ultimately General Gar- 
field would pull through, but the delav was dis- 
heartening even to her cheerful, hopeful soul." 
SECRETARY HUNT NOT SO CHEERFUL, 
Secretary Hunt, or the Navy Department, said 
tins afternoon that he had telt so mournful and 
anxious tor the past few days that he had attended 
to no business except the necessary routine of the 
department. He said that he. had felt buoyant and 
hopeful all the time of the trouble until Sunday, ' 
when the President's mind became flighty and wan- 
d-ring. That troubled him exqee.iingly, and 
he now greatiy feared the worst'result. If the 
flightiness bad been only for a briertime when ho 
wan so weak after vomiting he would not think it sc- 
serious, but it continued nearly all Sunday night 
and most of yesterday and has not yet passed away, 
but recurs at brief intervals. He concluded 
feel very bad, very bad indeed." , 
A VERY GLOOMY STATEMENT. 
An army surgeon who is now on the retired lirfi, 
in talking of the case this afternoon, said that the 
physicians in attendance on the President bad about 
given him up as being able to recover. "I don't be- 
lieve," lie said, "that they have yet communicated 
their opinion to Mrs. Garfield, but they will likely 
do so in a short time if he does not improve any. I 
regard it as impossible for him to recover. He js so 
weak that he cannot raj y. The splendid physique 
that the President started with is now gone akdlhe 
is but a skeleton compared to what he was. I have 
it from good authority that he has not been abl/e to 
recognize any one, even his wife, for the most 'M the 
time, for several days. There is nothing left on 
which he can build, and it is well enough that the 
people should know the truth, painful as it ig.." 
"Will the nourishment that is now given, him 
strengthen him any?" 
"Hardly. It will serve to keep him alive probably for 
a while longer, but that is about all. Ho has noireeuper- 
ative power. It has been a miracle that he lias lived 
as long as lie has. His physicians have not had any 
confidence in Ills recovery tor over a week, but they 
have thought it best to appear to be cheerful in the 
hope of sustaining the patient, thinking that there 
may be some change for the better." 
"Do you approve of the treatment that he has 
had?" 
"Yes. 1 have known of everything that,has been 
done from one of the physicians. All that medical 
skill could do or suggest has been done. No man 
ever had more careful treatment, but the shock 
from the wound was too great for him to re- 
cover. He has never rallied from the first 
relapse. This has been Dr. Hamilton's vbew of the 
case when speaking to medical men." 
"Secretary Blaine's description was. not, then, 
overdrawn?" 
"Not in the least. He stated the exixit truth. It 
is from him indirectly that 1 learned that the Presi- 
dent could not recognize those around him. He felt 
it to be his duty to state the facts, and he did so, 
though to write the telegram affected him to tears." 
"What will be the cause of death, jin your opin- 
ion ?" 
"The bullet, and that alone. The*other things 
are but incidental followings. The most grievous 
of these is the parotidal swelling. Itds that which 
affects his mind and makes his case hopeless. There 
is no escaping the anticipated result. It may be 
delayed a day longer or it may run, a week, but the 
President's life is slowly ebbing away, and no one 
mourns it more than I do." 
WHAT CAN THE PRESIDENT DRINK? 
In conversation with a member of. the Cabinet this 
evening reference was made to the very weak condi- 
tion of the President s stomach md nis inabiiity to 
retain or even to take anything like an alcoholic 
stimulant. He said:-"If there is anything in the 
purity and excellence of brandy, rum, whiskey or 
port wine the President has undoubtedly the very best 
of these aiUcloi at hand for Use. The dourns would 
not like to have their names mentioned, but it 
can be said that they have come from the 
private stock of gentlemen who have had 
some of the liquors mentioned in ' heir 
possession for half a century, and which are allnost 
as pure as their old family jewels. The effort to give 
the patient brandy or whiskey has been disco ntin- 
ued. For a while, you know, he took some vei y old 
rum with his milk, but that, too, had to be sto pped. 
Now the doctors have some old port, broug fit to 
this country by one of the first commodores 1. >f the 
navy, and which it is no exaggeration to say is 
threescore and ten in age-yes. pernaps moi e than 
seventy-five years old. Even that is distant aful to 
the President, and I have not learned of any way 
by which they could coax him to take a tab! espoon 
ful of it. The desire of the doctors is to impart 
warmth to the stomach, to increase the flo'. r of gas- 
tric juice, and, if possible, create a little hunger, 
which would enable him to move readily, f. igest bis 
fluid nourishment and encourage somethir-g akin to 
acidity when the food is brought to him. J suppose 
they have thought of everything beneficial and yet I 
have not heard of their giving a tonic like- extract of 
ginger. You will understand from what I 
have said how delicate the Presides: t's stom- 
ach must be and how it defies, the most 
skilful treatment to increase its tone. '1 bis is what 
holds ns in dread suspense, fearing, us '.we do, that 
at any time it may again revolt and ova rtax the lit- 
tle remaining vitality." 
The question was asked whether before the 
wound or when General Garfield was a, member of 
Congress he had any aversion to alcohd'dc liquors. 
"It is understood that sometimes he would take a 
I glass or champagne, but you remembe r that during 
the first week of his illness he was given cham- 
. pagne, and that cause,] vomiting anc . retching and 
had to be discontinue 1." 
"Of course it would not do to givo ' the President 
beer? 1 asked. 
1 have heard that one of his const? nt companions 
when in Congress und at whose rooiti s he frequently 
spent the evening never thought or havii g anythin-' 
more acceptable for General Garfield- than cool beei" 
I think, perhaps, that was his privi.fe drink, but I 
don t suppose it would be the proc mr thing to give 
him now." " h 
[unofficial BOLLEL /NS. ] 
Executive Mansion, Aug ust 23 11 P. M. 
The President has had a rather better day than 
was generally anticipated. The is omewhat discour- 
aging tone of Secretary Blaine's, telegram to Min- 
ister Lowell last night sa imed to prepare 
the public for the wors I, and although 
the official bulletin this i corning was not 
unfavorable a general feeling of anxiety and ap- 
prehension prevailed, both at t' no Executive Mansion 
and throughout the city. It i jeemed to be almost 
universally conceded that the, condition of the Presi- 
dent was in the highest degree critical and alarm- 
ing, and on the streets foe r persons out of five, 
if asked what they th ought of the Presi- 
dent's chances, would ha re replied that his 
death was a question of r, few days if not a few 
hours. Eor this state of ex< atement and alarm, how- 
ever, the real facts of the ca te had hardly furnished 
a sufficient justification. The condition of the 
President, it is true, was a subject of 
great anxiety to hs surgeons, his at- 
tendants and to M- :s. Garfield, but not 
more so than on yeeterda j and not so much so as on 
Sunday. On Sunday ai.'ternoon there was really 
greater reason tor dis< .ouragement than at any 
time since then, becaus a there seemed then to be 
only a very taint ] /ope that the patient's 
demoralized stomach co aid be brought to resume its 
functions. As soon as l he President began to swal- 
low food again his condition, to that extent at least 
became more hopetui. Without adequate nourish- 
ment death from ex'I laustioh seemed inevitable 
while with proper non rishment he might live 
In a qualified sense,, therefore, he was better this 
morning than he was Sunday night al- 
though hits' gener al condition in the in- 
terval had not materially changed. Before the 
moruing examinatio 11 to-day he had swallowed six 
ounces of beef juice without nausea or discomfort 
and this increasing ibility to take nourishment en- 
couraged the surgei ms to hope that the danger of 
death from exhaust lion, which they regarded with 
the most apprehens ion, might be averted. 
The President p assed a quiet morning, taking 
nourishment frequ Emily in the shape of beef juice, 
septonizedrmilk an d milk porridge, with an enema 
every five or sfix hours. Up to noon he 
had swallowed sixteen or seventeen ounces of 
liquid food, bul, there had been no indica- 
tion of an iiKitrease in his strength, with 
the exception of a stronger and slightly 
improved pulse. The glandular swelling remained 
hard and showi'd no change in size or appearance, 
and the amount of mucus secreted in the back part 
of the mouth wi is about the same as yesterday. 
Generally sp/aakiug, the patient at noon was 
holding his iown, but making no percepti- 
ble progress. He slept about as much as 
usual during tl ie afternoon, and continued to take 
nourishment a t.intervals until at four o'clock he 
had swallowed, more than twenty ounces. 
At twentj • minutes past four P. M. 
Dr. Heyburn reported that the general con- 
dition of '.he patient seemed slightly im- 
proved. Tliis information was confirmed 
by the evenu /g bulletin, which showed a lower pulse 
than the pati ent has had at any evening examination 
since the 131 h inst. 
Since half past six he has slept most of the time 
quietly and naturally, and the slight improvement 
of the after isoon is still maintained. 
At this hour (eleven P. M.) Dr. Bliss reports that 
the Presid.ent's pulse is 102 to 104 and his te'mnera- 
ture apparently about normal. He is sleeping 
quietly alidi his symptoms are as favorable as at any 
time duriiag the day. He has swallowed twenty- 
eight on wees of liquid food since one o'clock this 
morning, and has had two nutritive enemas. He 
asked fe-r some milk gruel this evening and said 
that his stomach felt empty. 
The gkundular swelling shows no signs as yet of 
suppuration, but the swelling of the surrounding 
parts has entirely subsided. The patient can open 
his mouth freely and has been very little troubled 
to-day 'l>y secretion of mucus in his throat. 
Dr. .Bliss expresses the opinion that, upon the 
whole, the President has made a slight gain to-day, 
and that his symptoms indicate further improve- 
ment to-morrow. 
Mout; of the members of the Cabinet were at the 
Executive Mansion to-night and all seemed more or 
• less e ncouraged by the statements of the surgeons 
with -regard to the President's condition. 
Attorney General MacVeagh said at nine o'clock 
that the President seemed to be taking bis nourish- 
merit well, and that he felt somewhat more hopeful 
witji regard to the future of his case. 
Dr;. Hamilton arrived from New York to-night. 
Executive Mansion, 23d-Midnight.. 
3To noticeable change has occurred in the Presi- 
dtrnt's condition since 11 P. M., and he is now rest- 
ing quietly. 
DR. HAMMOND AND DR. NORRIS. 
New York, August 23, 1881. 
To tee Editor of the Herald:- 
i I have read Dr. Norris' card in yesterday's issue of 
: the Herald. 
If Dr. Norris will read the article to which I re- 
ferred he will be able to tell whether or not he is 
the informant designated therein. 
If he is not. I think he will admit that the amende 
honorable should come from some one else than me. 
WILLIAM A. HAMMOND. NEW YORK HERALD 
participating surgeons who could be seen refused 
to talk upon the subject, as did also the members of 
the Cabinet, most of whom were hero until after 
lleven o'clock. 
OPENING THE PABOTID GLAND. 
Another operation was performed upon the Presi- 
3ent to-day. This time Dr. Hamilton wielded the 
knife, and the object was to relieve the swelling of 
the parotid gland. How far it will be successful re- 
mains to be seen, as its results are looked for in the 
future rather than immediately. Since last night 
there has appeared a throbbing sensation in the 
President's right cheek, about an inch in trout of 
and on a line with the upper part of the lobe of the 
ear. At the morning examination it was found that 
It was yielding to the touch, and these two facts in- 
dicated that the process of suppuration was go- 
ing forward there. It was, there! ore, con- 
cluded to lance it, and this was done 
shortly after noon. The President was quite tran- 
quil at tne time. The operation was soon over, and 
as a result only a few drops of pus were obtained. 
Carbolic acid spray was used and the wound dressed 
with fomentations. The incision was about three- 
quarters of an inch long and half an inch deep. The 
pulse went up a little immediately after the in- 
cision, but soon came down again. 
Meeting Dr. Bliss in the private sectary's office 
ihonly after the operation I had the following inter- 
view with him:- 
"Doctor, what have you been doing witn the 
knife?" 
"We lanced the parotid gland, where there was a 
softness indicating suppuration," (nointing to the 
place with his linger on his own cheek). 
"With wnat results?" 
'■We obtained a small quantity of pus; less than a 
teaspoonful, perhaps." 
•• the question is then settled about the suppura- 
tion or the swollen gland?" 
"It is, and ia the affirmative." 
"What were the immediate results?" 
"None except the pulse went up a little and then 
tell back again." 
"And the future results?". 
"The incision will probably be used to draw tne 
pus from the gland and relieve it." 
"Do you expect any further complications from 
this source?" 
"No, we do not." 
"Does the swelling remain a serious factor in the 
case?" 
"Yes, it must be carefully cared for." 
"then you haven't got it under control?" 
"We think we have it under control now." 
"How is tiie President's stomach?" 
"Doing splendidly. Taking food and retaining it 
without difficulty." 
"Are you giving him any morphine?" 
"None at ali." 
"Nor any narcotics?" 
"No, nothing." 
"Any medicine-quinine?" 
"No medicine of any kind." 
"How is his wound?" 
"It is better." 
"Do you fear that there are any pieces of bone in 
the vicinity of the ball?" 
"We have no reason to think so: there are no signs 
of any." • 
"Is the process of granulation going on along the 
entire length of the sinus?" 
"Yes, we believe it is." 
"Is there no likelihood that you will perform 
another operation in the vicinity of the wound?" 
"There is no sign of such a necessity to be met." 
"How about the delirium?" 
"To-day?" 
"Yes, sir." 
"Well, there's not much of that; it's nothing to 
speak of." 
■ "What do you regard the President's condition to 
be to-day as compared with Monday and Tuesday?" 
"It is no worse; I think there is an improvement." 
"Are you more hopeful than yesterday?" 
"No; I was hopeful yesterday," 
"But if there is an improvement one would think 
you would be more hopeful." 
"Well, I have always been hopeful," replied the 
Doctor, evading the question in thus phrasing. 
"There is a perceptible improvement. We will have 
to wait a little and see the effect of this operation 
later in the day," and so saying "Oooa afternoon," 
the Doctor passed on. 
M. HAMILTON REFUSES TO TALK. 
A representative of the Hebald called upon Dr. 
Frank H. Hamilton just after the operation had 
been performed. On being informed by a servant 
that the Doctor was at dinner and could not be seen 
for naif an hour or more, a note was sent to him 
asking for a short explanation of the operation of 
to-day and also what in his opinion would be the 
result obtained thereby. After waiting a few min- 
utes the following written answer was sent:- 
Deab Sib-I must decline any conversation upon 
that subject if it is intended to be used for publica- 
tion. Respectfully yours, 
FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
| IN A SEPTIC CONDITION. / 
Notwithstanding all statements by the attending 
physicians, it is universally admitted outside that 
the President is now in a septic condition, and will 
undoubtedly remain so while the cause exists. The 
bail is probably making more pus than the long 
orifice can discharge, and the impression is gaining 
ground that the hectic lever under which the patient 
is now laboring will continue so long as the ball 
remains in the abdomen. The President's 
condition to-night is not what it ought to be, if the 
wound and stomach are doing as well as it is claimed 
they are. The patient has but iittle vitality to spare, 
yet the high temperature of to-night means increased 
waste and interference with proper nutrition. It is 
a question whether the small amount of nourish- 
ment administered to the patient is sufficient to 
repair the continuous waste. It is, however, a 
favorable feature that there is an intermission 
in the fever, for it allows the heart a chance to re- 
cover partially and prevents the fever from being so 
marked. The continued emaciation of the Presi 
dent Is an incontrovertible argument that the waste 
is greater than the repair, and the symptoms to-day 
point strongly to the fact that there is a small but 
continuous absorption of septic matter, which many 
physicians say cannot be stopped unless the cause 
is remove!. The very fact that the catheter does 
not pass so far into the wound as it did a day or two 
since is understood by many to mean that another 
contraction in the deeper track of the ball has be- 
gun. These facts are only cited as show- 
ing tne feeling among medical men here. 
But the most important matter is that 
the bulletin at half-past six o'clock did not give the 
same encouragement outside the White House that 
in did inside. While it is devoutly hoped that the 
condition of the patient may show some marked 
improvement, the indications are not so assuring as 
the public wish for. 
Dh. BOYNTON TALKS FBEELY. 
Dr. Boynton, who more than any other person, 
except possibly the attending physiciaus, has the 
knowledge to speak authoritatively on the case, 
1 favored the Herald with a long interview to-night. 
"Doctor, how is the patient to-night?" I asked. 
"I have not seen him since four o'clock." 
"How was he then?" 
"His condition to-day has been about the same as 
| yesterday." 
"Is it your opinion that he will get well?" 
"No one can presume to say positively that he will 
or will not get well; but I have not lost hope and 
still believe ho will recover." 
"Do you speak with him when you are with him?" 
"Yes, occasionally." 
"What does he say?" 
"He speaks but little, and, as a rule, only in an- 
swer to questions." 
"How is the wound doing?" 
"It seems to be doing well." 
"Have you seen it?" 
"I am present at each dressing." 
"What is the size of the wound?" 
"It is about eight inches in length, and in its 
widest portion perhaps an inch and a quarter in 
diameter." 
"How does it look?" 
"It has a clean, healthy appearance generally, 
covered with a secretion of pus." 
"Do you think the deeper portion of the wound 
is healing?" 
"Ido. To all appearance the deeper portion of 
the wound is granulating and filling up." 
"Do you think there are any pieces of rib or bone 
near the present location of the ball?" 
"I do not know." 
"In what way is the wound washed out or 
cleansed ?" 
"A quart bottle is filled with a very weak solution 
of permanganate of potash. To the bottom of this 
bottle a long flexible tube is attached and this tube 
connects with the small catheter that Is inserted 
into the wound. The water is allowed to fill both 
the tube and catheter before the catheter is inserted 
into the wound in order that no air shall find its 
way into the deeper portions of the wound." 
CLEANSING THE WOUND. 
"How long is tne catheter allowed to remain in 
the wound?" 
"Just long enough to cleanse it thoroughly-per- 
i haps five minutes." 
i "Does it hurt him ?~ 
"As a rule it does not. Sometimes it will touch 
the tender granulations In some portion of the 
wound and give him a little pain." 
"How often do they wash out the wound?" 
"Twice a day-at each dressing." 
"Would you or one of your school of practice 
! have treated the case differently had the President 
been under your care?" 
"No two physicians, even of the same school of 
practice, treat cases just alike. My treatment might 
baye been different in many ways, and yet 
' not have differed more widely from that 
being pursued than would that of some 
other physicians of the allopathic persua- 
sion. It 1b not in good taste to compare or 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNET1', 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEWJTORK, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1881. 
[ey telegraph to the herald.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. 1 
Washington, August 24-8:30 A.M. J 
The President has passed a very good night, awak- 
ening at longer intervals than during several nights 
past. He continues to take liquid food by the mouth 
with more relish and in such quantity that the ene- 
mata will be suspended for the present. No change 
has yet been observed in the parotid swelling. The 
other symptoms are quite as favorable as yesterday. 
Pulse, 100; temperature, 03.5; respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-2:30 P. M. | 
The President continues to take liquid food by the | 
mouth, as reported in the last bulletin. His tem- 
perature has risen slightly since that time. In other 
respects bis condition is about the same. Pulse, 
104; temperature, 99.2; respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official,] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
Shortly after the noon bulletin was issued an in- 
cision was made into the swelling on the right side 
of the President's face for the purpose of relieving 
the tension of the swollen parotid gland and of 
giving vent to pus, a small quantity of which was 
evacuated. He has taken a larger quantify of liquid 
food by the mouth to-day than yesterday and has 
been entirely free from nausea. His temperature 
this afternoon is, however, higher than yesterday । 
at the same hour and his pulse somewhat more fre- j 
queut. Pulse, 108; temperature, 100.7; respira- i 
tion, 19. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K.'BARNES, FRANK H. HAMIL1ON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
SECRETARY BLAINE'S DESPATCHES. 
The following messages were sent to-day from the 
Department of State: - 
"Washington, August 24-1:30P. M. 
•'Lowell, Minister, Loudon:- 
"According to the opinion of his physicians there is 
no marked change in the President's condition since 
last despatch. At this hour there is some indication 
of an increase of fever, which may in part have been j 
caused by the increased heat of tho day. He con- 
tinues to take liquid food, and does not seem ! 
troubled by nausea or indigestion. 
"BLAINE, Secretary." 
Washington, August 24-11 P. M. 
I.owkll, Minister, London: - 
The President has not gained to-day. He has had 
a higher fever, which began earlier than is usual 
with his febrile rise. In the afternoon an incision 
was made in the swollen parotid gland by Dr. Ham- 
ilton. The flow of pus therefrom was small. The 
one favorable symptom of his swallowing liquid 
food with apparent relish and digestion has con- 
tinued, but the general feeling up to midnight is 
one of increased anxiety. BLAINE, Secretary. 
[Unofficial.] 
question op behoving the president. 
Executive Mansion-10 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss sent a telegram' to-day to Dr. Agnew re- 
questing him to come to Washington to night for 
the purpose of consulting with the surgeons with 
regard to the practicability and- expediency of re- 
moving the President from the Executive Mansion. 
The following is the telegram :- 
"Washington, August 24, 1S81. 
"To Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, Philadelphia:- 
"Subject of removal of President from White 
House is being seriously considered. We desire 
your immediate presence. Answer. 
"D. W. BLISS." 
Dr. Agnew will be here at half-past ten to-night. 
Executive Mansion-Midnight. 
Dr. Agnew replied to the telegram oi Dr. Bliss to- 
3ay that if possible he would like to have 
the consultation with regard to the removal 
of the President from the White House take 
,placo to-night immediately after his arrival 
in order that he might return as soon as possible to 
Philadelphia. Before ten o'clock, therefore. Dr. 
Hamilton and all the attending surgeons were 
assembled at the Executive Mansion, and 
Dr. Agnew was driven directly here 
from the depot. The consultation lasted 
rather more than an hour, and so far as can be I 
ascertained it resulted in a disagreement. All the j attempt to comuare the different modes of treatment 
in the present case. The physicians in attendance 
nave adopted ike treatment which in their judgment 
promised the best results. They have had two emi- 
nent surgeons in consultation with them, and all 
that their combined wisdom can deviso is being done 
for the patient." 
"is the ball encysted?" 
"I do not know." 
"if it were would you regard it as being disposed 
of as an element to be treated in this case?" 
"I would so far as the present treatment of the 
case is concerned. At some future time it may 
cause trouble and require treatment." 
"How is his stomach?" 
"His stomach is improving. He takes and ap- 
pears to digest and assimilate more food than he did 
yesterday." 
"Doctor, suppose a laboring man had received a 
wound similar to the one the President is suffering 
from, would you not say that he would have been 
cured and about his business before this time?" 
"Possibly he might, but it is more probable that 
he would have been dead. Such wounds are usually 
three to four months in healing. It a less eminent 
man were similarly wounded he might lie three, 
four or six months, and no comment be made upon 
the slowness of recovery or the management of the 
case." 
SUDDEN DEATH NOT FEARED. 
"If he should not get well will he die suddenly? 
Is there danger ot his dying without a night's warn- 
ing?" 
"I do not wish to discuss the possibility of his 
dying. I will, however, say that there is no prob- 
ability of a sudden death. Unless there should be 
some new complication he can only die from the 
effects of exhaustion." 
"What does he eat now ?" 
"Beef essence, peptonized milk and milk por- 
ridge." 
"How is the beef essence made?" 
"Half a pound of beef is finely minced and added 
to one pint of water, in which has been dissolved a 
little salt and from six to eight drops of muriatic 
acid. This is allowed to stand an hour or more and 
then is strained through muslin. No heat is used 
in making it. His food Is all warmed now before 
being administered." 
'•Speaking about the accuracy of tlfe Herald's re- 
ports. Doctor, let me refer to one that has been ques- 
tioned-that referring to the object ot Captain 
Henry's visit to Ohio. Did he go to be in readiness 
to bring back Mrs. Eliza Garfield and her grand- 
children in case the imminent danger of the Presi- 
dent's condition rendered such a journey necessary ?" 
"No. His visit to Ohio related purely to his pri- 
vate affairs." 
"Does Mrs. Garfield remain with the President 
much of the time?" 
"Yes. She is with him a considerable portion of 
each day." 
"Doos he converse with her much?" 
"Not as much as formerly. He is too weak and 
prostrated to talk much; besides, we do not encour- 
age him to talk." 
"Will the operation on the parotid gland relieve 
him?" 
"It may not give him immediate relief, but it 
will tend to reduce the congestion and will give free 
escape to the pus already formed and that which 
will form in the future." 
"What was put upon it after the operation?" 
"A flaxseed poultice." 
■ '"Do you think he is suffering from the effects o^ 
blood poisoning?" 
"I do." 
"From pyaemia or septicaemia?" ■ 
"He is suffering from the effects of blood poison- 
ing. You may name it what you will. I should notbe 
accepted as authority if I expressed an opinion 
on that point. If you accept the definition given in 
■Bryant's Surgery of Septicaemia and Pyaemia,' 
which is that septicaemia is a mild form of blood 
poisoning and pyaemia a more grave form of blood 
poisoning, I would siy that the President was 
suffering from septicaemia." 
MBS. EDSON REPORTS SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. 
Dr. Susan Edson said this evening that the Presi- 
dent bore the operation to-day with wonderful 
nerve and rallied well later. 
"Do you think his chances to-day any greater for 
recovery?" 
"My opinion is that If he can hold his own for 
three or four days longer that a vast Improvement 
will then begin. There is not, of course, much 
change to-day for the better, but assuredly there is 
none for the worse, and that is saying a good deal. 
It is long, weary waiting anyway, but in cases like it 
where there is a standstill it is more indicative of 
Improvement than loss." 
"Does Mrs. Garfield display any anxiety?" 
"She talks hopefully, but you cau see underneath 
the smiling, patient face the traces of the deep anx- 
iety that has crept upon her lately in spite of her- 
self. But she tries hard not to exhibit this feeling 
at all, noting every little symptom in his favor and 
again and again saying she knows he will get well. 
She is with him constantly. Every little while the 
asks the physicians' opinion of this or that symp- 
tom. It is truly wonderful how well she bears up 
under '.his continued strain upon her mind and 
strength." 
"Have you heard the President speak of wanting 
to go to Mentor?" 
••In the early part of his sickness he willingly 
assented to any proposition to go anywhere. He 
did not expect to be so long ill then, and anticipated 
* change with great interest, he preferred to go to 
Mentor rather than anywhere else, but the Journey 
on the Tallapoosa, when suggested, pleased him 
a great deal. But lately there has been more 
talk outside the sick room about moving him 
than we hear about Inside. Naturally he 
wants a change. Anybody would who, struck 
down from active life, has had to stand such 
a long continemont. He has several times spoken 
during his illness of how much he regretted his in- 
ability to attend the Yorktown ceremonies. Ho was 
very much interested in the contemplated pro- 
gramme and anticipated great pleasure in attend- 
ance there. Of course he has known for the last 
month that if he recovered it would be a long and 
tedicus operation, and that he would not be well in 
time for the occasion?" ■ 
••How did he rest last night?" 
"He slept very heavily. Yesterday he had more 
food than any day lately. I watched him constantly 
through the night , and left the bedside just at 
dawn." 
••Is there any change in his looks to-day?" 
"I think there is a marked improvement in the 
color of his lips. That pallor has left them, and he 
looks just a little more like himself." 
"Have you noticed any more signs of delirious- 
ness ?" 
"He is a little flighty at times before he fully 
awakes, and sometimes he sleeps restlessly and talks 
incoherently. But at no time was it ever necessary 
to do more than to speak to him-wake him up 
thoroughly-and he would answer Just as sensibly 
as ever he could. Any one in his weak condition 
would be likely to show that unconsciousness, so it 
is not necessarily a bad symptom in his case." 
MESSRS. SWAIM AND BOCKWELL CONTINUE HOPEFUL. 
General Swaim, one of the President's attendants, 
passed out of the White House this evening Just 
prior to the issue of the ha'lf-p st six o'clock bulle- 
tin, and stated that although the pulse was more 
rapid and the temperature higher than last night 
there was, nevertheless, a slight improvement in 
the patient's condition. "The President expressed 
himself as feeling stronger this evening, and I can 
see it. There ought to be, in view of present cir- 
cumstances, strong hopes of steady gain from now 
out." 
Colonel Rockwell also said he had just left the 
patient's bedside and felt very much encouraged at 
his progress. 
"Does the President still insist upon having the 
head lines of the newspapers read to him?" 
"He still manifests an interest in outside news. I 
was Bitting by the bed yesterday when the messen- 
ger knocked at the door and left the morning papers. 
I picked them up and had been reading for some 
little time when the President awoke from what I 
thought was a souud sleep. 
•' 'What have you there,' said he. 
" 'The morning papers,' I replied. 
" 'Read over the news headings to me,' rejoined 
the President. 
"I then stated to him that affairs throughout the 
country were very dull, and theie #vas really noth- 
ing that would interest him. He did not insist upon 
his request, but, moving his head to one side, re- 
sumed his nap." 
"Does the catheter penetrate the full distance it 
did when parsed in the other day, just after the ob- 
struction in the wound sloughed away?" 
"Well, it goes in ten or eleven inches. It reaches 
into the wound within about an inch of where it 
went Just after the removal of the obstruction. It 
does not go quite so far as it did for the reason that 
the wound is now evideutly healing at the inner ex- 
tremity." 
"I should judge there would be less delirium now 
that the swollen gland has been opened and a cer- 
tain amount of inflammation allayed." 
"He never was what might be termed delirious. 
He simply wanders for a moment, as you or I would 
upon waking suddenly from a souud sleep. No 
matter when I go into the sick chamber, whether at 
night or during the day, he recognizes me readily 
and addresses me by name. He is perfectly rational 
at all times." 
"Are good results expected from the incision made 
in the suppurating gland?" 
"Uh. yes; the suppurating matter can now be dis- 
charged as fast as it is made, and the feverishness 
attending it is proportionately reduced." 
INSIDE THE SICK BOOM. 
Last night, after the hour for sleeping came, no 
more food was administered until nearly daylight. 
At three o'clock he took some porridge, beef juice 
and peptonized milk. The quantity was small, how- 
ever, and alter it had been given he slept restlessly 
till daylight. Then he became somewhat impatient, 
and was waiting when the doctors came to dress 
his wound. He seemed to Appreciate their presence 
and enjoy the tact that he could take an interest in 
tl -ir proceedings about the bed. The wound was 
dressed and washed as usual, and the rubber tube 
being introduced into the wound about ten inches, 
the water that filled it was then released and drawn 
away with a oonsiderable quantity of the pus adher- 
ing to it. The pus showed under the microscopic 
investigations an increased degree of granulation, 
Which is Nature's method of proceeding to work a 
cure, and with this fact before them the doctors de- 
clared that the wound itself was doing well. The 
pulse, temperature and respiration, it was noted, 
were the same as at the corresponding hour for sev- 
eral days back, and this was decided to be at least j 
not a retrogression. Food was given as usual in the j 
course of the forenoon, the liquid beef being 
cooked without the heat of fire, but by pouring into 
it the muriatic acid now used for that purpose. ' 
This is to enable the patient's stomach to digest the I 
food that is given him, and although it is not ot a 
nature to make the dish more palatable, it is of vast 
assistance to the gastric juices, which it is intended 
to support. Ihe fact that it is not palatable is, after 
all, a very small matter with the President, who has 
not enjoyed the taste of food since the swelling of 
the parotid gland began. 
"His palate is covered with mucus matter," 
said Dr. Heyburn. "At present nothing can get near 
it." 
In the forenoon the fever began to declare its 
presence, and there was an increased restlessness, 
which knew no abatement. At noon, after the ex- 
amination at that hour, when the wound was not 
dressed as is the custom, the President was sponged 
off, and it was decided then to lance the swelling 
of the face and determine whether or not there 
was a show of suppuration, which every indication 
pointed to at that time. This was done as described 
above and the President fell into a sound slumber, 
waking later in the day complaining oitterly about 
the heat. The Jennings apparatus was accordingly 
given a turn or two, and as the cool air came into ' 
the room the sufferer said, "That is better," and 
then fell asleep again, and until six o'clock, 
when the bulletin was being prepared to issue, he 
had little or nothing to say, as he awoke 
only at intervals. He took food as it was offered, 
however, and slept on as before. The use of koumiss 
was discontinued yesterday, although as a matter 
of fact it is the only thing the President cares to 
take, even though he caunot taste it. Altogether the 
President has taken about twenty-five ounces of 
food since daylight, or about a pint and a half-all 
liquid of course. 
A FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY. 
The feeling to-night about the White House is not 
one of security. There is not in the late bulletin 
any apparent cause tor alarm, however, but there is 
for all that a growing sense of the gravity of the 
case and increased apprehension for the result. 
To-night's bulletin briefly tells the story of the 
incision made in the face to relieve the swelling 
of the parotid gland. There is no new features de- 
veloped The pulse has fallen to-night at nine 
o'clock to 104, at which figure it ranged all day ex- 
cept at the time of the operation. No food was given 
after the dressing of the wound at six o'clock and it 
is not the intentiou'to give him any before morning 
unless he himself should ask for it. 
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS MOTHER-PLAIN FOOD. 
Intimate friends of the President's househcld here 
speak of the affection between the President and his , 
mother as something peculiai^y touching and beau- I 
! tiful. The General was but one week installed in 
the Executive Mansion when his venerable mother, 
, who had been present to welcome him within its 
threshold, was taken very ill. The excitement 
and ceremony attending even the first 
few days there was too much for her 
feeble strength. A few hours after she 
complained at all of feeling ill it alarmed the Presi- 
dent greatly, and was the first worry that menaced 
the then envied occupant, of the White House. Modi- i 
cal aid was summoned and but little hope was ex- 
pressed that Grandma Garfield would recover, she 
seemed so utterly broken down. When the Presi- 
dent came up to her bedside with a "Well, mother, 
how do you feel?" she answered him, "So badly, 
। James, that I tear that I won't be long with 
you." "Oh, no, mother," he quickly said, "it 
is not as bad as that. Cheer up, the I 
, new President cannot part with his mother al- 
ready." Very much to her own surprise, sne rallied 
vuickly, and in a few days was talking about getting 
away from the White House "and out of the atmos- 
phere of the French cooking." She used to say 
that fancy dishes would not help her any, and if she 
could only get home to her daughter in Ohio she 
knew, they would give her something good to eat, 
and she would soon get well again. Homemade 
bread, made by an old, near neighbor, brought 
up to the White House to her daily, was what, she 
insisted, built her up any way before she left tor 
Ohio. The same repugnance to fancy cooking has 
always been prominent with the President. No mat- 
ter of what the breakfast consisted at the White 
house, ho invariably ate a goodly portion ot frle 1 
bacon every morning in the year, and at his dinner a 
piece of broiled steak would form the chief part of his meat diet. He has always been extremely method- 
ical about his eating, and once knowing particular 
food agreed well with him ho did not ask for much 
variety in meeting a goo| appetite. Even during 
the late critical days the old taste is displayed in the 
preference he shows for the old fashioned milk por- 
ridge prepared by his wife and always a relished 
dish with him. 
FROM THE EVENING TELEGRAM OF YESTERDAY. 
MEDICAL OPINIONS. 
[VIA FEENCH ATLANTIC CABLE TO THE EVENING 
TELEGEAM.] 
Pabis, August 24, 1881. 
Several eminent American surgeons now in this 
city say they nave seen no notice of the possibility 
or President Garfield having been malariaiized, nor 
have they heard of an examination having been 
made to localize the position of the ball and the re- 
sults of its presence in the pelvis. They have un- 
bounded confidence in the surgeons attending the 
President, but respectfully urge the importance of 
the suggestion here made. 
Condition of the President. 
According to the latest despatches from 
Washington the question of removing the 
President from the malarious influences of 
the Executive Mansion is under considera- 
tion, and Dr. Agnew has been requested to 
attend a consultation on the subject. If 
the President is strong enough to stand it 
there can, of course, be no doubt as to the 
wisdom of a removal, and it is to be hoped 
the step is not too late. Mr. Blaine's bul- 
letin to Mr. Lowell that the one favorable 
symptom of the day was that the President 
was able to partake of so much food, but 
that there were grave reasons for anxiety at 
midnight, in all probability accurately de- 
■ scribes the situation. NEW YORK HERALD 
food of a nourishing character and apparently di- 
gests it. On this one fact rests the hope that is still 
left of a reaction. BLAINE, Secretary." 
[This statement was cabled at nine o'clock P. M.J 
THE PRESIDENT GIVEN UP. % 
At ten o'clock to-night the doctors informed the 
Cabinet that there was no longer good ground for 
. hope. The complications in the President's case 
| have gone so far that there is nothing to expect but 
the fatal ending, and that soon. Prepared as the 
Cabinet were for this news, when Dr. Bliss made it 
to them it fell upon them with a terrible 
shock. The end, then, had come, and all 
the hopes and anxiety Qhad reached their 
limit. Secretary Blaine asked if there could 
not be some more encouraging construction 
placed upon the statement, and, as a result, the 
despatch to Minister Lowell was framed half an 
hour after the White House was closed. In the 
meantime the members of the Cabinet came down 
t e stairs. Attorney General McVeagh in the lead. 
Before that, however, the Secretary of State's de- 
spatch had been heard on the streets. 
Your correspondent asked the Attorney General 
if the despatch of the Secretary of State was in- 
dorsed by the Cabinet? 
"There is nothing else to do. The physicians 
hemselves no loncsr have am hone," 
"And did they tell you so?" 
"they have told us the worst. There is not one 
chance in a thousand for the President." 
"Mr. Secretary," I said, turning to Mr. Blaine, 
"have you given up all hope?" 
"There is no longer room for hope." 
Secretary of the Interior Kirkwood was by Secre- 
tary Blaine's side, and the question was next put to 
him. 
Great tears stood in his eyes as he answered in 
broken tones, "We have to accept it. It is impossi- 
ble to hope for anything except a miracle. The end 
is near at hand." 
Secretary Windom at this moment emerged from 
the White House door, his wife leaning on his 
arm. "Do you see any room for any hope?" he was 
asked. 
"I agree with what Mr. Blaine has written. There 
is but little room for hope now." 
Postmaster General James was waiting for his 
carriage on the steps. His wife was leaning on his 
arm. She was crying; so, too, were the wives of 
the other Cabinet Ministers. 
"You have always been hopeful, Mr. James; have 
you any hope now?" 
"At last, I have none," was the sad reply. 
Most of the party went off in carriages, but the 
Postmaster General being joined by Secretary of 
War Lincoln, walked down and through the grounds 
together. The latter was the only one to whom 
your correspondent had not spoken. 
"Have you any hope, Mr. Secretary?" 
"None," was the answer. 
"Wnat will be the immediate cause of death?" 
"The doctors informed us to-night that he could 
not live long, and that the complications in the case 
would all be operative. The swelling of his neck 
would, if it attacked a well man, prove fatal in 
itself." 
"You mean the parotid gland?" 
"Yes." 
"How long do they think he will live?*' 
"A few days." 
"And they say there is no chance?" 
"Only the barest chance in the world." 
"And if he gets that?" 
"It will be known within twenty-four hours." 
"And we were not given any encouragement for 
that twenty-four hours," said the Postmaster Gen- 
eral. 
By this time we had reached the gates and the two 
Cabinet officers walked slowly over toward the Ar- 
lington. 
VICE PRESIDENT ARTHUR NOT YET SENT FOB. 
Just before midnight your correspondent visited 
Attorney General MacVeagh at his residence. He 
said he saw no ground for hope other than those 
contained in the maxim "While there's life there'S 
hope." He had feared for some time that the Presi- 
dent had been sinking, now slowly, now rapidly, but 
steadily it not regularly losing ground. He had 
regarded the first rigor with the accompanying 
profuse perspiration as a very bad sign. In the 
patient's condition it was a very unfavorable indi- 
cation. The rise in fever which followed and which 
necessitated the second incision was another ominous 
symptom. The operation itself was necessary and 
was successful, from a surgical standpoint; but it 
greatly taxed the remaining strength of the patient, 
and since that time he has shown increasing and 
alarming debility. But the most threatening 
symptom was the commencing inflammation of 
the right parotid gland. Such an occurrence in a 
patient debilitated by excessive suppuration from a 
severe gunshot wound is always regarded as a very 
unfavorable sign. It was first an effect, but it has 
now become a cause, and is the present pressing 
danger. It looks now as if it would be the immediate 
cause of the President's death. The swelling, he 
understood, was not acting favorably, and it was 
but the part of wisdom to look the facts in the face. 
The continued good conduct of the stomach, he 
said, is a hopeful feature so far as it goes. But it 
has seemed for some time that the wear has been 
greater than the repair. 
In reply to a question if the Cabinet had yet sent 
for Vice President Arthur he said;- 
"No; we have not considered that matter yet. In 
fact," he said, "the whole future, looking at it from 
the political point of view, is very vague." The 
Cabinet had not yet mapped out a plan of action 
based upon the President's demise. 
The Attorney General was evidently feeling keenly 
the terrible seriousness of the situation. There 
was but one source of consolation, one thing we 
may recognize, he said, as a great mercy-that is, 
the sparing of the President's life till the first pas- 
sion and excitement have had time to subside. This 
delay has been of inestimable benefit to the coun- 
try, and is a proper occasion for thankfulness. 
GLOOMY BEPORTS-"WORSE (THAN EVER BEFORE." 
The impression the visitor to the White House re- 
ceives to-night is that the fatal ending is near. Even 
the most hopeful of the inmates of the Executive 
Mansion admit that the situation is more than 
gloomy. Among those with whom I talked to-night 
was Dr. Boynton, who, in response to the cardlsent 
him, came directly from the sick room. 
"Well, Doctor, how is he to-night?" 
"Lower than ever before," was his prompt and 
sorrowful answer. 
"Do you mean that he is worse than he has 
been?" 
"I mean that he is much lower. His condition is 
more critical." 
"What is the exact cause?" 
"I do not like his general condition. He is weak 
and dispirited." 
"Anything else?" 
"Nothing more than that the wound is not, in my 
judgment, in as good condition as before. I do not 
like its looks." 
"How? Are there any new developments in it?" 
"Now, I cannot answer that." 
"What is the matter. Doctor? Has it been clogged 
up again by the clotted pus?" 
"No, I do not think I can give any further infor- 
mation on the subject than what I have said. I do 
not like its condition. But what I base my fears 
upon is the President's general condition." 
"Was he awake when you left him just now?" 
"Yes, wide awake-very wide awake." 
"Did you speak to him?" 
"Yes, I exchanged a few words. I eaid, 'Would 
you like to have your head moved?' and he said he 
would." 
DELIRIOUS AGAIN. 
'•Has he been delirious to-day?" 
"I decline to speak on that point. I would rather 
not." 
''Then he has been flighty?" 
"Yes, at intervals, but not much more than be- 
fore." 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
;AMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, HRIpAY, AUGUST 26, 1881. 
[bi tklegbaph to the HERALD.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion. 1 
Washington, August 25-8:30 A. M. f 
The President slept most of the night. He has 
taken liquid food by the mouth at stated intervals 
and in sufficient quantity, so that the enemata have 
not been renewed. No modification of the parotid 
swelling has yet been observed. His general con- 
dition is much the same as at this time yesterday. 
Pulse, 106; temperature, 98.5; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW, 
J. J. WOODWARD, FRANK H. HAMILTON- 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-9:15 A. M. 
The subject of the removal of the President from 
Washington at the present time was earnestly con- 
sidered by us last night and again this morning. 
After mature deliberation the conclusion was ar- 
rived at by the majority that it would not be pru- 
dent; although all agree that it will be very desir- 
able at the earliest time at which his condition may 
warrant it. We are, moreover, unanimously of the 
opinion that at no time since the injury has the 
President exhibited any symptoms of malaria. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. H. AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P. M. 
Since the issue of this morning's bulletin a rise in 
ihe President's temperature similar to that which 
Occurred yesterday morning has been observed. 
His pulse is somewhat more frequent. From the 
incision in the parotid swelling a few drops of pus 
were discharged this morning. The size of the 
swelling has not diminished. In other respects his 
condition has not perceptibly changed. Pulse, 112; 
temperature, 99.2; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLISS. ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
There has been but little change in the President's 
condition since the noon bulletin was issued. The 
'requency of his pulse is now the same as then. His I 
temperature has risen somewhat, but is not so high 
as yesterday evening. There has been a slight dis- 
charge of pus during the day from the incision in 
the parotid swelling, but it is not diminishing in 
size. No unfavorable change has been observed in 
the condition of the wound. He has taken by the 
mouth a sufficient supply of liquid food. At present 
bis pulse is 112; temperature, 99.8; respiration, 19. 
D. W. BLIsS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
STATE DEPARTMENT MESSAGES. 
The following cable messages were sent to-day:- 
"Lowell, Minister, London:- 
•'The President's condition shows no marked 
change. The symptoms of yesterday are repeated 
to-day. At this hour, half-past one, his fever seems 
to increase, while the parotid swelling has not di- 
minished. He continues to swallow liquid food in 
sufficient quantity without disturbance of the stom- 
ach. BLAINE, Secretary." 
•'To Lowell, Minister, London:- 
"The President has lost ground to-day. Some of 
bis symptoms this afternoon and evening are of the 
gravest character. The condition of the swollen 
gland and of the pulse and temperature suggest 
serious ana alarming complications. His mind at 
intervals has been somewhat clouded and wander- 
ing. His strength fails, but he still swallows liquid ' "What is the condition of the swollen parotid 
gland?" 
"It mmilnt as hard as aver and is vary trouble- 
some. As yet the incision made in it has not shown 
any good results." 
"In your judgment was it the proper thing to do?" 
"Beyond all doubt it was good practice and good 
surgery. Whether the results are good or not it was 
unquestionably the thing to do." 
"You say it is troublesome. Do you mean that it 
is painful?" 
"No, rather annoying than painful. It does not 
hurt so much as it worries. Do you understand 
what I mean ?" 
"Perfectly. Has anybody told the President that 
he is not to be moved?" 
"No, I think not-not as far as I know. 1 think in 
his present condition he would not care a rap." 
"Is he likely to die to-night?" 
"No, he is not so low as that." 
"To-morrow night?" 
"I think not." 
"On Sunday?" 
"You are going too far into the future." 
"How is his stomach behaving?" 
"Very well, only I do not think he is getting 
enough of food into it to sustain life. His stomach 
might not be able to retain more." 
"You have given up alLhope then. Doctor?" 
"No, not quite all; but I must get back to his bed- 
side. There is nothing else that I think of to tell 
you." 
DESPONDENCY ON ALL SIDES. 
The gloomy view thus taken by Dr. Boynton 
does not differ much from what was vaguely indi- 
cated by the evening bulletin, except that at the 
time the evening bulletin was issued it represented 
that there had been no unfavorable change observed 
in the wound. Dr. Bliss said, in his interview with 
me an hour or so before, that he thought, in fact 
he knew, the wound was doing splendidly. The 
evening bulletin was not regarded as a good 
one, however, and there is much talk about 
a burrowing abscess forming on the swollen 
parotid gland. Dr. Bliss said to-day to a correspond- 
ent that possibly there was such a formation, but 
that he did not doubt that if the gland were lanced 
almost anywhere small secretions of pus would be 
found there. If it were a burrowing abscess it might 
seek its vent most anywhere. He could not say 
where, but that evidently would explain the futile 
efforts of the flaxseed poultice to draw up and out 
the pus. 
Secretary and Mrs.Blaine called about seven o'clock. 
While waiting for a messenger to bring down an 
evening bulletin Senator Logan came out of the 
White House with a copy of the bulletin in his 
hand. He stopped at the Secretary's carriage and 
saluted the occupants. Secretary Blaine said:- 
NOT ONE WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT. 
"What does the bulletin say?" 
"I do not fird one word of encouragement in it,'' 
said the Senator. "It simply states that there is 
no material change in the President's condition. 
But I don't despair yet. 'While there is life there 
is hope.' " 
In the meanwhile a bulletin had been furnished 
the Secretary, and alter a few formal inquiries re- 
garding the Senator's health the carriage rolled out 
of the grounds. Surgeon General Barnes and Dr. 
Woodward came out of the White House shortly 
after the bulletin was issued, and General Barnes 
said there was nothing he could add to what was 
stated in the bulletin just issued, and Dr. Wood- 
ward concurred in this view of the situation. Gen- 
eral Swaim returned from a drive with Miss Mollie 
Garfield about half-past seven o'clock, and alter 
escorting the youug lady up stairs ho returned and 
went for a drive with Colonel Corbin. 
A representative of the Herald asked the former 
if the President had been informed of the decision 
rendered by the surgeons relative to his removal 
from the White House. 
"I do not think he knows anything about the con- 
sultation being held, but he was advised of the fact 
that it would be injudicious to remove him at the 
present time." 
Colonel Rockwell came in a few minutes later and 
confirmed General Swaim's statement, and added:- 
"The reason the surgeons thinjr it inadvisable to 
remove the President is that they are of the unani- 
mous opinion that the President is not troubled 
with malaria, and therefore he is just as well off here 
as he would be any place else. In his weak condition 
I don't think any of the surgeons would like to as- 
sume tho responsibility ot moving him." 
COLLAPSE OF THE REMOVAL PLAN. 
The President will not lake a sea voyage. Such 
was the natural conclusion of his physicians to-day. 
There was from the first some difference of opinion 
when the six surgeons consulted on the subject last 
night. On one hand Dr. Bliss gave the project his 
most sturdy opposition. He argued that to gratify 
the patient's wish would be to expose him 
to such a risk of immediate danger as to 
make the scheme undesirable if not absurd. 
He hoped that it would not prevail. 
It is understood that Dr. Hamilton, on the other 
hand, strongly urged the removal. He said he 
thought the chances were worth risking under the 
circumstances. It is further credited that Dr. Rey- 
burn was inclined to agree with Dr. Hamilton last 
night, but no vote had been taken when they con- 
cluded to renew their deliberation on the subject 
early in the morning. Accordingly they separated, 
Drs. Bliss and Woodward remaining in the White 
House all night. This morning, after the wound 
had been dressed and the bulletin signed by all of 
them they again went into session on the subject 
of the removal, ana Dr. Bliss pointed out that, 
in the patient's condition there had not been any- 
thing upon which to base a change of opinion and 
that further discussion seemed to him a waste 
of time. He therefore proposed a vote at once. 
This was done, and the result was five votes to let 
the patient take his chances where he is ana one to 
take him away. It is said that Dr. Hamilton cast 
the single vote, and that he yielded, of course, to 
the wishes of the majority. As a result of the vote 
the extra quarter-past nine o'clock bulletin was 
issued. It gave the decision, and added, as if it were 
the wish of the signers to dispel any wrongly 
formed opinions as to the reason for considering the 
question of removal at all, that they were unani- 
mously of the view that there were no symptoms of 
malaria about the White House. This decision 
enabled Dr. Agnew to travel home again, 
taking his departure immediately, stopping only 
to say to a press representative that he 
saw no change in the President's condition from 
what it was on the day he had gone home before. 
He did not stop to answer the next question, but 
sped away for the train. Thus for a time the ques- 
tion of removing His Excellency is settled in the 
negative. 
STATEMENT OF AN ATTENDING PHYSICIAN. 
Another of the attending physicians says that at 
the consultation of the surgeons this morning it was 
decided by a majority that it would be unwise to 
remove tho President from the White House to any 
place, much less on board a steamer. "In the first 
place," said the doctor, "I agree with Dr. Agnew 
that the White House is probably the best house in 
the United States for a man to be sick in. It is well 
ventilated, has high ceilings, is removed from the 
noise of the city and the clatter of the horses' hoofs, 
and is at the same time easy of access. Here we 
have all the appliances the case needs. We have the 
control of the temperature of the room, and the pa- 
tient lies in a sunny, well aired apartment, spacious 
and cheeriul. It is not a question of moving him 
without a jar; for that matter, the efforts of the 
army and navy could be combined if neces- 
sary. But where can he be removed to and 
be better cared tor than where he is now? We have 
unanimously agreed that there is not the slightest 
trace of malaria in the case. The presence of viti- 
ated air, or if the locality were unhealthy, that 
would alone justify a removal of the President else- 
where. It may be said that the President is too 
weak to be removed; that he is too low, and that it 
is confessing on our part that he is in too critical a 
condition to risk the excitement of a change. That, 
however, is not true. He might just as well stay in 
the White House as be carried to the Soldiers'Home. 
A journey by rail is out of the question, yet we 
could have at our disposal every possible convey- 
ance to make the railroad journey to Mentor 
easy for tho patient. But when there what 
good would result to the President? anl 
how could we assume so grave a responsi- 
bility to gratify his wish and earnest desire to 
have a change of scene ? The excitement would 
be greater than he could bear, and in his weak, fe- 
verish condition would only accelerate his pulse 
and complicate the case. That which would seem 
the most practicable-the trip down the Potomac- 
is alter all the most objectionable. I have said 
there is not the slightest difficulty in the way of his 
easy removal from the White House to the steamer 
Tallapoosa. 
COULD NOT TRAVEL BY STEAMER. 
"But consider how different the surroundings 
would be to his peaceful, quiet chamber in the Man- 
sion. The vessel has recently been rebuilt, and is 
now on her trial voyage to 'shake her down.' I be* 
lieve that is what they call it. There is with the 
smoothest working steamboat machinery a certain 
strain and jar which, as in the case ot the Talla- 
poosa (a side wheel steamer), is felt and heard 
i throughout the boat. That in itself would be an- 
noying to the President in his enfeebled condition. 
Next there is the constant splashing of the water in- 
cident to the motion of the paddle wheels, which 
would, as the apartments on the vessel have been 
constructed, be constantly heard by the patient. 
Then there are the steam signals of passing steamers 
to be replied to by the Tallapoosa, which, even to 
persons in a healthy condition, causes more or less 
shock. How would they affect the nerves of the 
poor President, who for eight weeks has known 
only tenderness without measure, and has scarcely 
heard the sound ot a footstep? You can readily un- 
derstand why it was not deemed wise to agree to the 
proposition so earnestly presented by himself and 
seconded by his friends. It may be said that he will 
die if he remains where he is, and the water trip 
might be beneficial. Where there is so much 
uncertainty it is prudent to take no risks. I under- 
stand the Secretary of the Navy has information 
that the Tallapoosa is now at the Brooklyn Navy 
Yard; that she will unload her cargo of naval stores 
as expeditiously as possible; start from there to- 
morrow and reach here on Saturday. You have al- 
ready fully described in the Herald the special im- 
provements made in the refitting of the vessel; the 
accommodations for the family physicians, attend- 
ants and nurses, and, in the event of the vessel 
being used, it is understood she will be wholly 
under our control. The special pains taken to pro- 
vide a swinging berth suitable for an invalid have 
also been fully set forth in your despatches. You 
will understand, therefore, everybody connected 
with the case would be comfortably provided for, 
and that the President would rest as easily and com- 
fortably, for that matter, in the cabin of the Talla- 
poosa as he does in his chamber. 
A NERVOUS SHOCK WOULD RESULT. 
"But the jar of the vessel, the splashing water, the 
sound of the motion of the paddle wheels and the 
machinery, the shriek of the steam whistles and the 
necessarily limited conveniences, with greater 
trouble to maintain an even temperature ot the 
apartment, are matters which we who are charged 
with his case and his recovery cannot for a moment 
lose sight of when the proposition is made, as It 
was formally male last night." 
"I see by the official bulletin that the vote was not 
unanimous, and I understand that Dr. Hamilton 
favored the voyage and Dr. Bliss a removal to the 
Soldiers' Home." 
"Well, we need not discuss that point. It was a 
question of ability on the part of the President to 
stand the noise and excitement which would be in- 
separable Irom the trip down the river, and the 
majority thought it would be imprudent to risk at 
present the nervous system of tho patient and put 
him to such a test. I might go further and say that 
a change of air would not remove a surgical fever. 
It would be beneficial to the lungs and help remove 
the septic condition of the blood, without any 
doubt, but you must remember we are dealing with 
a man whose emaciated body and low nervous force 
are such as to make us constantly anxious. A 
shock to his nervous system would paralyze some 
vital organ and make the probability of recovery 
exceedingly doubtful. I wish to God he was strong 
enough for the trips he so feelingly asks he may be 
allowed to take. Till he gains strength and nerve it 
would be hazardous to undertake them. Again let 
me impress upon you that we do not concede that 
the air breathed by the President is in the least 
malarious. Colonels Swaim and Rockwell have been 
exposed to it. All the attending physicians but one 
and the nurses have been equally exposed. And do 
not Mrs. Garfield and Dr. Boynton constantly re- 
main in the White House? I presume it will be 
urged that our unanimous belief that at no time has 
the President shown symptoms of malaria is an ex- 
cuse for not agreeing to his removal. I have told 
you tho facts and have nothing more to add." 
ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSIS. 
A well known physician of this city gave your 
correspondent the following statement in reference 
to the actua 'condition of the President to-night: 
"The lite bulletin to-day shows that the President is I 
suffering this evening from the usual rise of temper- 
ature and Increased pulsation ot the heart. The rise I 
in pulse to-day, unaccompanied by a corresponding 
elevation in temperature, is positive proof that the i 
patient is weaker to-night than he was last night. 
The febrile rise is not so great as it was this 
time yesterday, while the pulse is more rapid. 
Since tho heart must beat more frequently 
in order to compensate tor the loss of power in 
each contraction, it is a true index of the exhausted 
condition of the President. The attending physi- 
cians announced some days since that the trouble 
rested solely in a rebellious stomach, and just so 
soon as it was toned down and assimilated nourish- 
ment a steady improvement in the President's con- 
dition might be looked for. Now, for the past three 
or four days the patient has partaken of and re- 
tained all the nourishment the attending 
physicians have seen fit to administer. transient fluctuation of pulse to the-extent of six or 
eight beats has no great significance. "Any slight 
disturbance or excitement is sufficient," he said, "to 
cause it. I have seen his pulse quickened four or 
five beats by merely turning him over in bed. 
His pulse was taken this noon, when it 
was highest. Just before I came out of his room, 
ten minutes ago, it was back again to 104. That will 
show you how uncertain a single observation of the 
pulse is as an Indication of condition. As far as his 
temperature is concerned, it is about the same as 
yesterday noon." 
"What is the condition of the inflamed gland?" 
"It has not changed much in appearance, and is 
one of the most troublesome features in the case. 
We got a little more pus from it to-day, but the 
swelling remains about the same." 
"How long before it will probably begin to sub- 
side?" 
"It may be four or five days. You see the area of 
the inflammation is perhaps two and a half by three 
and a half inches, and pus has formed in this area at 
a number of points. We might puncture the 
swelled gland almost anywhere and get as much pus 
as we got from the incision made yesterday. The 
pus is in many little cells or pockets, and the walls 
between these will have to be broken down before all 
the pus can be drained out through the present in- 
cision." 
In conclusion Dr. Bliss reiterated his assurance 
that the condition of the patient is no worse to-day 
than yesterday, although it cannot be said that there 
has been any improvement. 
PREPARING FOB THE WORST. 
Executive Mansion-10 P. M. 
Although no information can yet be obtained di- 
rectly from the attending surgeons it is understood 
that the President's case has taken an unfavorable 
turn this evening, and that the swollen parotid 
gland, throughout which pus is now forming in 
small cells or pockets, threatens immediately dan- 
gerous consequences. Unless a favorable change 
takes place within the next twenty-four hours the 
worst is apprehended. 
Executive Mansion-Midnight. 
After seven o'clock • rumors began to bo heard of 
an unfavorable change in the case, and later in the 
evening they were confirmed by Secretary Blaine's 
telegram to Minister Lowell. No information could 
be obtained directly from the surgeons, who re- 
mained either in their own consulting room or in 
the President's chamber, but it was ascertained in- 
directly that the unfavorable change had its origin 
in the parotid gland, which was beginning to exert 
an active and alarming influence upon the patient's 
general condition. 
Soon after the evening bulletin was issued the 
attending surgeons began to notice the change for the 
worse in some of the President's symptoms. He be- 
came more restless than he had been during the 
day, his pulse grew more frequent, until It reached 
about 120 beats, and he began to be subject to 
hallucinations with regard to his circumstances 
and surroundings. Most of the time he seemed 
rational, but at intervals, especially just after 
waking from sleep, he talked incoherently and did 
not seem to be conscious of his situation. An ex- 
amination was made of the inflamed parotid gland, 
and its appearance gave reason to apprehend serious 
consequences. Little more could be done tor it, 
however, than to continue the poulticing and 
general method of treatment adopted yesterday. 
During the evening the patient slept a little 
but was very restless and awoke at short intervals. 
About ten o'clock his pulse began to subside and he 
seemed to be gradually passing into a quieter condi- 
tion. At this hour his pulse has fallen to 112 and 
he is asleep. There has, however, been no marked 
change in his general condition and it continues to 
be a subject of the gravest anxiety. 
WHAT DE. AGNEW SAYS. 
Philadelphia, August 25, 1881. 
Dr. Agnew returned from Washington to-day. He 
declined to be interviewed, but in reply to the 
question whether or not it is true that the glandu- 
lar swelling in the President's throat resulted 
from the fever produced by septicaemia and that 
upon the patient's power to recuperate from 
the exhaustion produced by the fever would depend 
his recovery, the Doctor replied "That is the whole 
case." He declined to predict what would be the 
result. 
A SENSIBLE CANADIAN SUBGEON. 
Montbeal, Que., August 25, 1881. 
Dr. W. H. Hingston, of this city, was recently in- 
vited by the American Consul General to go to 
Washington to assist in the consultations on Presi- 
dent Garfield's condition. Dr. Hingston replied 
that he concurred in the opinion of Drs. Hamilton 
and Agnew that there were already too many sur- 
geons attending on the President and that an ad- 
dition to the number would be productive of no 
good. 
The Condition of the President. 
The bulletins from Washington in refer- 
ence to the condition of the President have 
a melancholy interest. Their tenor is to 
' excite, in the phrase of the Secretary of 
State, "increased anxiety." A careful 
study of the situation shows that 
the President is in a most critical 
condition, that new complications are 
arising, and that, although the phy- 
sicians and friends are making a splen- 
did fight for his life, the chances are 
against them. It is difficult to add to the 
gloomy apprehensions inspired by the de- 
spa ches of our correspondents, and we can 
only express the hope that an inscrutable 
Providence will in His mercy lead the illus- 
trious sufferer back from the valley of the 
shadow of death. 
But, notwithstanding this fact, he continues 
to emaciate and grow weaker. It is true 
the process is a slow one, but it is telling upon his 
vitality hourly. The physicians have laid great 
stress upon the dyspeptic trouble, but since it has 
been corrected wo hear of no good results accruing 
from the same. Inste id of progressing the Presi- 
dent has been receding day by day. In face of these 
facts it is reasonable and logical to credit the ball 
and the long, tortuous track with all the mischief. 
It is very evident that the wound, with its attending 
suppuration and hectic fever, together with the 
complications of the inflamed parotid gland and 
probable blood poisoning, is more than his system 
can stand even under the best conditions. 
FATAL DRAIN ON THE SYSTEM. 
"When suppuration sets in more freely In the 
| parotid gland there will, of course, be an additional 
; drain upon his system. There are no indications of 
I the wound itself healing. It will probably continue 
to throw off pus and produce hectic fever and re- 
main the same depth so long as the President lives. 
If this condition of things continues to exist/and no 
further complications arise, such as irritability o." 
the stomach or diarrhoea, then the danger of death 
will be from gradual exhaustion. Under such 
comparatively favorable circumstances he may 
possibly survive a week or two longer. 
This is really the most that can be 
hoped for. It, on the other hand, vomiting should 
ensue or some such complication occur, he may not 
be ablo to keep alive more than forty-eight hours 
j thereafter. 
"The most gloomy feature of the case is that 
Nature can hardly be able to soothe the Irritation of 
the ball by encysting it, which will be the only 
chance of the wound ever healing. It is very fair 
to suppose that in his present extremely exhausted 
condition there is scarcely a possibility of the ball 
encysting, when it could not be done at the time 
his condition was infinitely bettor than now. It 
must not be forgotten that this entire 
wound, from twelve to fifteen inches long, presents 
an unbroken, suppurating surface through the ab- 
, L domem This drain aoes on incessantly, iriwh 
taster than the waste can be repaired. Again, we 
have the septic condition of the patient to take into 
consideration, especially as there is every outward 
proof that the blood is absorbing more of this pu- 
trescent matter every day. Indeed, the outlook is 
very blue at best, and it is only a question of time. 
The discontinuance of the enemata must be 
due to irritation of the bowels, or else the 
physicians would surely continue to administer 
them. If it was practicable to continue them the 
nourishment administered to the patient in that 
way would be of great advantage to him. The sys- 
tem is being taxed to such an extent that all the nu- 
trition possible should be supplied by natural and 
artificial means. This would prevent further ex- 
haustion at this time. A treatment so essential to 
the President's progress would surely not be dis- 
continued except for a very strong reason, and that 
must be the irritability of the bowels." 
unofficial bulletins. 
, Executive Mansion, August 25-Moon. 
Dr. Boynton, in an interview with a reporter this 
morning, replied to questions as follows: - 
"How is the President to-day. Doctor, in your 
judgment?" 
"I do not think he is any better." 
"But does he hold his own?" 
"Well, I cannot point to any particular symptom 
and say that it is noticeably worse, but the impres- 
sion which his general condition makes upon me to- 
day is a little less favorable. I don't feel quite as 
much encouraged as I did yesterday." 
"What are the features of the case which seem to 
you most disquieting?" 
"The condition of his blood and his extreme 
weakness." 
"He has not, then, made any gain in strength 
since yesterday morning?" 
"I cannot see that he has." 
"Does he not take his food as well as yesterday?" 
"Yes; quite as well. His stomach seems to main- 
tain its improved condition." 
"Then, if the stomach performs its functions 
properly and nourishment continues to bo well as- 
similated, will not the condition of the blood change 
for the better?" 
"It will in time. The poison will be eliminated 
from the blood if the patient's strength and vitality 
hold out; it is a question of time and endurance." 
"The wound continues to do well, does it not?" 
"Yes, but I don't think the condition of the wound 
is so important a consideration now. The Presi- 
dent is very weak and is as yet gaining strength 
very slowly if at all. The great question is. Can he 
be sustained through this period of prostration? 
If he can I think he will eventually rally from the 
depression caused by the septic taint in the blood 
and finally recover." 
THAT TROUBLESOME GLAND. 
Dr. Bliss also said that the condition of the Presi- 
dent is substantially unchanged. His pulse at the 
noon examination was higher than at tho same hour 
yesterday, but in a patient so weak and debilitated a NEW YORK HERALD 
The expected relief to the parotid swelling from 
the discharge through the ear has not been realized, 
the situation is one of great gravity and danger. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
"PREPARE FOR THE WORST. "j 
Before sundown yesterday the most hopeful in 
ihe city yielded at last, recognizing that the end was 
near. It was a day ot anxiety, hope fighting against 
despair. Hope is lost, and now the White House 
; simply waits tor the Angel of Death to enter and 
। bear away the life of its distinguished victim. Mrs. 
Garfield knows and is prepared for the worst and she 
bears up nobly. Doubtless she was prepared in 
some measure for the bad news, but for all that she 
wavered tor a moment and then said, "And must 
this sacrifice be demanded of me? God's will be 
lone." The circumstances under which the sad 
news was brought to her are thus described 
by' an eye witness Dr. Boynton, on coming 
from the sick room at a late hour lust 
light, encountered Mrs. Garfield in the hall, 
ile took her hand and led her into the 
ibrary, where a light was burning low, and gave 
ter a seat at the window before he answered her 
question, "Is there any change?'' "Yes," he said, 
"the wound shows very bad symptoms, and his po- 
lition is critical." What more was said is not 
known, but as Mrs. Garfield rose she spoke as above 
and hurried away. In the morning Dr. Boynton 
sought her out. "Is there any change?" again she . 
asked. "None for the better," was the reply. 
"You had better talk with the children." 
In this way the news was carried to 
the wife of the dying President. Later in the day 
she asked Dr. Bliss if there was any hope. His re- 
ply was, "I tear you must prepare for the worst." 
During the day she came aud went into the sick 
room. Sometimes she spoke to her husband, but 
she never gave way, and if she had tears to shed she 
kept up a brave heart before the people she was 
forced to meet, and with pale face and resolute will 
came and went among them, giving no sign of her 
anguish. 
THE PRESIDENT DELIRIOUS. 
Last night the President slept at intervals, dozing 
for fifteen or twenty minutes, having a troubled 
sleep. His voice, husky and broken, muttered of 
Lawnfield and the farm. When he woke it was in 
delirium. He babbled away and could not be hushed, 
and when his attention was attracted and he was 
made to know that he was being addressed, 
there was an apparent effort on his part 
to collect and command his wayward 
faculties. In this he would be for a few moments 
successful. Then he would lose his hold again, the 
ideas would slip away, the tongue would babble of 
green fields and the country home, until sleep drew 
down the eyelids and hushed the restless organ 
of speech. To only two persons did he 
give any signs of recognition during 
the early hours of the morning. One 
of these being Dr. Boynton, whose voice he seemed 
to know, and to questions he generally responded 
rationally. The other was his wife. When she 
came into the room the rest drew back, and she 
spoke to him in whispers and took up the hand that 
ha vainly tried to lift himself and put it about her 
neck. Later in the morning when Colonel Bock well 
came in he recognized and spoke to him. Later on 
again he recognized Dr. Bliss. 
SAD DISCOVERIES BY THE SURGEONS. 
All the doctors came early. While they were as- 
sembling the swollen parotid gland discharged its 
pus inside of the ear-in the right external auditory 
meatus, as the bulletin subsequently said. It also 
discharged into the mouth, which the bulletin did 
not say, but which is none the less a fact. It was 
then hoped that the swelling might thus be relieved, 
but the flow of pus was only trifling in quantity, 
and that which came into the mouth soon ceased to 
flow. On this belief a load of encouragement drifted 
out ot the sick room. It was taken up and repeated 
and more exaggerated than any unfavorable rumor 
that has been uttered. It was telegraphed away as 
an indication for good. Soon, however, the real con- 
dition of affairs became known, stated by Dr. Bliss 
himself, who spoke gloomily aud without a word 
of hope. Then it was learned what symptoms 
it was that caused the doctors to tell the Cabinet 
members there was no hope. They had found on 
dressing the pistol shot wound last night that there 
were no longer any secretions of healthy pus, and 
that there flowed from the wound, instead of a 
trickle of watery matter, putrid and unhealthy. 
It was the unmistakable warning. The doctors 
recognized it in an instant, and within an hour the 
Cabinet had been informed of the impending danger. 
DANGEROUS RAPIDITY OF PULSE-138. 
To tell the story ot the day would be but to re- 
hearse the scenes of the night. Mrs. Garfield 
remained most of the time in the sick chamber, and 
Mrs. Edson, Drs. Boynton and Bliss were in con- 
stant attendance. The patient had no pain but he 
slept and slept, rarely waking, and when doing so 
always in a delirium. Once in the after- 
noon he slept so long that they awakened him 
There was a bare chance that from such a sleep he 
might wake on earth no more. Then it was re- 
solved to administer such food as would keep him 
awake and from which there was one chance in a 
million that he might gather strength. It 
was the forlorn hope of the battle for 
life. A milk punch, made of brandy, 
with raw eggs beaten up in it, was 
given. Two ounces of the brandy were taken 
within an hour, and two eggs were swallowed, 
and perhaps eight ounces of milk. Under this 
treatment the pulse came down, and was steadier 
for a time. Before that the heart beats were ir- 
regular and spasmodic. The weaker organ could 
not perform its function, even with this stimulant, 
and presently the pulse was trembling above 138, 
and varying from that down to 113-never less. 
The new food kept the President awake. 
INCREASING COMPLICATIONS. 
The situation is such that a fatal termination 
seems inevitable, from the double presence of ex- 
haustion and blood poison. Added to this is the 
acute infection from the suppurating parotid gland, 
which seems to have produced the present alarming 
symptoms, the possibility of which was stated in 
the Herald of Friday, August 19, the day 
after this grave complication was first announced. 
It is possible there are metastatic abscesses in other 
organs of the body. 1 he stimulating euemata now 
administered are probably resorted to simply for 
the purpose of prolonging life, not with a view to 
produce any permanent effect of a favorable nature. 
The mode of death may be coma, preceded by irreg- 
ular delirium from the circulation of vitiated 
blood, or extravasation on the brain. When 
death will ensue is, of course, mere 
speculation, but it is pretty safe to say 
that it wdl be within three days at the longest and | 
possibly in twelve or twenty-four hours. Among . 
other immediate causes of death in a case of this j 
kind may be enumerated metastasis to the brain j 
from the close contiguity of the suppurating 
gland. There is also danger of thrombus or 
embolism. The former is regarded as clotted 
blood in the vein, and, being carried into the 
general circulation, is apt to clog up one or more 
small arteries and nutrition will thereby be inter- 
fered with to a circumscribed extent. This is the 
manner of the formation of the metastatic ab- 
scesses above stated. Embolism, or ante-mortem 
clot, is apt to result from feeble circulation in the 
President's exhausted condition. The latter 
especially forms immediately preceding the act of 
dissolution. 
UNFAVORABLE CONDITION OF THE WOUND. 
Dr. Boynton said in an interview to-night that the 
character of the wound in the back had undergone a 
decided chinge for the worse. The discharge of pus 
was thin and watery, which was unquestionably a 
most un.avorable indication. 
attorney general macveagh's opinion at three 
O'CLOCK. 
Attorney General MacVeagh, leaving the White I 
House to-day at half-past throe o'clock, looked 
rather downhearted, and when asked if there had 
been any change in the President's condition since 
the last bulletin was issued, replied that there was 
not. 
"Is there any thing to base a hope upon?" 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY. AUGUST 27, 1881. 
[by telegraph to THE HERALD.j 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
■Washington, August 26-8:30 A. M. J 
The President slept most of the night, awakening 
at intervals of half an hour to an hour. On first 
awakening there was. as there has been for several 
nights past, some mental confusion, which disap- 
peared when he was fully roused, and occasionally 
he muttered in his sleep. These symptoms have 
abated this morning, as on previous days. At 
present his temperature is slightly above the nor- 
mal and his pulse a little more frequent than yes- 
terday morning. Pulse, 108; temperature, 99.1; 
respiration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P, M. 
At the morning dressing of the President it was 
observed that pus from the parotid swelling had 
found its way spontaneously into his right external 
auditory meatus, through which it was discharging. 
Some pus was also discharging through the incision 
made into the swelling. His wound looks as well as 
it has done for some time past. His pulse and tem- 
perature are at present higher than at the cor- 
responding hour for some days. He continues to 
take by the mouth the liquid food prescribed; 
nevertheless, we regard his condition as critical. 
Pulse, 118; temperature, 100; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLIsS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President's conaition has not changed ma- 
terially since the last bulletin was issued. Ho con- 
tinues to take by the mouth the liquid food pre- 
scribed, and occasionally asks for it. Since yester- 
day forenoon, commencing at half-past eleven, 
ihe enemata have again been given at regular inter- 
vals as a means of administering stimulants as well 
is nutrition. They are retained without trouble. 
At present his pulse is 116; temperature, 99.9; res- 
piration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
MR. BLAINE'S DESPATCHES. 
The following despatches were sent from the De- 
partment of State:- 
"Washington, August 26-1:30 P. M. 
"Lowell, Minister, London:- 
"At this hour the President's pulse and tempera- 
lure are high; pulse, 118; temperature, 100. During 
several hours last night his pulse was 120. In the 
early morning it fell to 108. It is hoped that the 
parotid swelling has found a slight release by a dis- 
charge of pus through the right ear. He continues 
to swallow liquid food in adequate supply. He 
exhibits a tendency to continuous sleep or drowsi- 
ness. His physicians pronounce his condition to 
be critical. BLAINE, Secretary." 
Washington, August 26-10 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
While the President has made no gain to-day, his 
loss of ground has been less, in the judgment of his 
physicians, than was feared last night. In this 
aspect there is a slight feeling of encour- 
agement, or, at least, a ray of hope. The 
adverse symptoms are still manifest, aud the one 
favorable indication of swallowing and digesting 
liquid food. Two or three times during the day he 
has asked for nourishment. He has spoken intel- 
ligently and voluntarily, and throughout the day 
his mind has been less affected than yesterday. " 'While there is life there is hope,' but it you ask 
me whether there be any physical indication upon 
which a hope might be based I must say that it had 
not appeared up to a moment ago. I can see no 
logical grounds upon which to found a hope." 
"Is there any change in the President's mental 
condition?" 
"There is not. lie is perfectly rational when fully 
awake, and recognizes those who approach him. 
Hut he is sleeping a great deal to-day." 
THE SITUATION AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. 
Hr. Hamilton camo out just after the evening bul- 
letin and said the President was a shade better. 
When asked in what way, he replied, "Do not ask 
me to specify; he is a shade better. That is all I 
can say." 
General Swaim returned to the White House about 
half-past seven P. M., and when asked by a repre- 
sentative of the Hebald if he had given up all hope 
of the President's recovery replied, "No, indeed; I 
think there is a slight improvement in his condi- 
tion; there is no perceptible change for the worse." 
Dr. Heyburn and General Barnes came out shortly 
afterward. In reply to a question Dr. Heyburn 
said, "There is no change; there are no indications 
of the formation of new sacs of pus in or about the 
abscess on the patient's face. The discharge seems 
to be perfectly natural through the ear and the 
incision." 
"Have you still hope that the President will pull 
through?" 
"There is no change in his condition as far as I 
know." 
The Cabinet began to arrive one by one about 
eight o'clock. Postmaster General James and wife 
were the first to put in an appearance. Secretary 
and Mrs. Hunt next arrived. Mr. Hunt was asked 
if he derived any encouragement from the evening 
bulletin. He answered, "No." 
Next came Secretary Lincoln. He had seen the 
evening bulletin, but he did not think its contents 
encouraging. 
"SCARCELY ANY HOPE." 
Surgeon General Barnes, as he came out of the 
surgeon's room at the White House, remarked, "The 
President holds out wonderfully," and that since 
the dressing of the patient this morning there had 
been "a slight improvement in the glandular affec- 
tion." To the direct question, "Is there any hope of 
the recovery of the patient?" General Barnes re- 
plied, hesitatingly, "Well, scarcely any hope as the 
case now looks." 
Private Secretary Brown, in confidential talk with 
friends relative to the condition of the President, 
says his greatest anxiety is as to the Saturday crisis 
now approaching; that if the President shall last 
through and successfully pass over to-morrow he 
will have hope of the patient's recovery. Should 
there, however, be a recurrence of the usual weekly 
relapse he will regard it as fatal. 
A HOPELESS CABINET. 
The White House was closed at half-past nine 
o'clock to visitors, the Cabinet still remaining. 
About a quarter of ten Dr. Woodward said the Presi- 
dent's condition had undergone no material change 
since the last bulletin was issued. The appearance 
of the parotid gland remained unchanged. The 
President seemed to rest more comfortably now than 
he did last night at this time. He had slept 
restfully during the evening, his pulsd and tem- 
perature having slightly diminished. He had taken 
his pulse a few moments ago and had counted 111 
beats to the minute. 
At ten o'clock all the members of the Cabinet left 
for their respective homes. Attorney General and 
Mrs. MacVeagh were accompanied by Dr. Hamilton. 
The Attorney General said:-"There is no change in 
the President's condition to-night, unless it is that 
his pulse and temperature have subsided a little." 
Postmaster General James said the situation was 
very grave. "If there is any change for the 
better the lines are drawn so close that they 
are not perceptible. We derive some consolation 
froqi the fact that the President's pulse and 
temperature are somewhat lower to-night. The 
stimulants that are given him appear to be retained 
with good effect." 
Secretary Hunt said:-"There is nothing new to 
be said. The President's condition remains un- 
changed. The doctors decline to say whether the 
case is hopeless or not; but they are vainly catching 
at straws." 
Secretary Blaine said:-"There is no change for 
the better. You will see what I have said in the de- 
spatch which I have just written to Minister 
Lowell." 
Secretary Lincoln said he could see no change in 
the condition of the President. "If there is any it is 
only a shade, and that shade is so slight that it is 
scarcely perceptible." 
Secretary Windom said Vice President Arthur had 
not been telegraphed for. "The situation is very 
critical." 
Secretary Kirkwood declined to talk on the sub- 
ject, but remarked, "Some of these gentlemen will 
tell you all there is to be said on the subject." 
GETTING WORSE-LOWER AND LOWER. 
About half-past eight o'clock I had a word with 
Dr. Boynton. He had just left the room and come 
out in the yard to have a breath of fresh air. 
"Doctor, is he better?" 
''He is worse." 
••You mean that he is lower?" 
"Very much lower." 
"Will he die to-night?" 
"I think not. He will pull through for forty-eight 
hours I think-I don't know. Exhaustion works 
slowly. He will go into a comatose state and 
pass away quietly and without pain. It will be 
difficult to know when his life ends and death be- 
gins, so gradual will be the transition." 
"Will anything be done to rouse him from the 
stupor that precedes death?" 
"I assume that everything will be done to prevent 
his passing into it." 
"Do you think he will be in a comatose state 
long?" 
"1 don't know; there is a wonderful vitality in 
the man that may assert itself beyond expectation." 
"Doctor, is it not possible that his vital force may 
make one grand effort at the last and give him con- 
trol of h.s mind before he passes away?" 
"I don't think so-t may be so." 
"You have, then, absolutely no hope?" 
"The prospect is very, very dark." 
MRS. EDSON LOSES HOPE. 
Dr. Susan Edson said this evening that the long 
watches of last night had made her lose hope for 
the first time. "The President was restless during 
his sleep, muttering something or other now and 
then, and his voice, grown so feeble and indistinct, 
broke the night's stillness even strangely and 
weirdly to me, who have passed so many 
nights now with him, and many hours of 
them alone. Mrs. Garfield remained near him until 
a very late hour and during the night came in to 
see him. I bud very little hope for him this morn- 
ing, and with the increase in the pulse at midday 
that little had nearly gone." 
"Has anything occurred since to revive it?" 
"Well, to my mind, there is just a shadow of hope 
in his appearance. His face, after five o'clock this 
evening, became more lifelike and a soit pink shade, 
and several times he has asked for his nourish- 
ment." 
"What was given him to-day?" 
"Mrs. Garfield herself prepared some beef tea this 
afternoon and he drank it eagerly, told her he liked 
it very much and afterward asked for more." 
THE PATIENT'S CHILDLIKE REMARKS. 
"Do you think he has any realization of how crit- 
ical his condition is?" 
"Eor an hour or so before sundown this evening 
he became a great deal brighter and conscious, so 
much so that he listened eagerly and seemed per- 
fectly to understand what was occurring around 
him. This has not been the cise for the pre- 
vious twenty-four hours. We have had to arouse 
him to take his nourishment. Some one in the 
room asked him if he was aware that the wound 
miaht prove fatal, and he answered, 'Oh, yes; I 
have always been conscious of that.' " 
"Since he became brighter has J joined in con- 
versation any 
"Dr. Bliss \ s talking near his I :dside to me, and 
said, 'We must arouse him some way. This sleepy 
state is bad.' The President looked straight at me 
and said, 'Now, Dr. Edson, do you hear what Dr. 
Bli-ssaid? You must not let me sleep so much. It 
is not good for me.' " 
A VERY GRAVE SITUATION. 
''But do you not regard the high pulse as offset- 
ting eveu these hopeful signs?" 
"Yes. I do. The situation is very grave, but just 
then, this evening, it showed those elements of 
hope, faint as they are." 
"How has Mrs. Garfield spent the day?" 
''With terrible anxiety, but still trying to fight 
against what she evidently fears. She is perfectly 
aware of how it may end, but I believe she will be 
hopeful as long as there is a breath in him." 
"Has there been any talk of sending for the Presi- 
dent's mother to-day?" 
"I have not heard of any yet. I don't think it 
would bo safe for her to come considering her ad- 
vanced years. The President has not asked for her 
of late-at least that she shall be sent for. He 
knows that there would ba danger in bringing her 
here. Mrs. Garfield is fully aware of the President's 
condition from her own observation, the physicians, 
the Cabinet and inyselr." 
INTENSE ANXIETY IN WASHINGTON. 
The interest and deep anxiety exhibited here last 
night wore intensified this morning. The rush to 
the Executive Mansion was probably greater than it 
has been upon any morning since the first few days 
of the President's prostration. Before nine o'clock 
quite a largo crowd had gathered at the main en- 
trance to the White House grounds, and the guard 
at the gate was doubled. Hitherto a couple of 
policemen have sufficed to protect this point 
trom the incursions of an anxious throng, 
but this morning it was found necessary to 
augment it by the addition of two armed soldiers 
who patrolled for the purpose of more effectually 
keeping the crowd iu check. The number of car- 
riages that arrived was also considerably larger than 
for some time past. The first bulletin, which has 
never been iu such demand as the later ones, was 
eagerly sought for, and the large supply struck off 
from the hektograph was soon exhausted. The at- 
taches of the house were at their posts earlier than 
usual and all the surroundings indicated grave fore- 
bodings. It required no mind reader to see that 
despondency had superseded confidence and the 
worst was looked for. Many rumors were rife. 
One was to the effect that secret organizations 
had formed at Philadelphia for the avowed purpose 
of coming to Washington and storming the jail that 
Guiteau might be captured and summarily dealt 
with; that word had been received here early in the 
day that these organizations had already started, 
and to thwart their plans the authorities had re- 
moved the prisoner to a safer spot. This has been 
denied by the jail officials, who state that Guiteau 
' could not bo more secure than ho is now. All 
the approaches to the place have been picketed 
and the military force increased. The jail 
has been converted into a citadel, and 
arrangements have been completed to repulse 
even an armed assault of the most formidable char- 
acter. The government officials being greatly 
alarmed but little public business was transacted in 
the departments to-day; the time was chiefly spent 
in discussing the probable outcome. To show how 
the feeling in the West is also Governor Cullom, of 
Illinois, telegraphed from Springfield to a personal 
friend in Washington, "Keep me advised of every 
change in the President's condition. I must be 
fully informed. The people of Illinois are very 
much excited." 
SCENES IN THE STREETS AT NIGHT. 
All the leading thoroughfares are thronged to- 
night with eager faces, and men are asking each 
I other if anything is learned since the news made 
public in the h.ilf-past six o'clock bulletin. The 
condition of the President is the absorbing topic, 
and little else is thought or spoken of. Places 
where bulletins are displayed are besieged 
with immense crowds, which block up the 
sidewalks and make the progress of pedestrians 
exceedingly slow and tedious. A gloomy feeling is 
manifested at every turn. Government employes 
are out in force and groups of men are seen here and 
there discussing the situation. No thought of re- 
tiring is exhibited by those interested, and further 
information from the White House is anxiously 
awaited. Although the evening bulletin is 
a shade brighter than that issued at 
noon it has, nevertheless, not tended to 
quiet the alarming apprehensions that 
have taken deep root in the public mind. Intact, 
it is quite apparent the people have made up their 
minds that the President will die, and nothing 
short ot a really cheering bulletin will dispel the 
dark cloud that hangs over the city. The clatter of 
gossiping tongues, only broken by the shouts of 
newsboys selling extra editions of the Washington 
dailies, makes the scene on the streets one of ani- 
mation and excitement. The immediate vicinity of 
the Herald bureau is a favorite rendezvous 
for the crowd, and it is with some 
difficulty that one passes in and out ot the office. 
The gathering about the Executive Mansion grounds 
is swelling hour by hour, and every one coming from the White House is called upon by a number 
of eager inquirers as he sets foot on the pavement 
and pressed for the latest news from the sick room. 
"Is he any worse?" "Is he any better?" are familiar 
questions, and a reply that the conditions remain 
unchanged is met with a disappointed ex- 
clamation, and his questioner; quickly return 
to their places in the crowd determined to remain 
until something more definite may be ascertained. 
To-morrow being another Saturday in the case, it 
is looked to with more than usual alarm, for it is 
argued that it is always an unfavorable day with tbe 
patient, and coming now at a period when he is j 
more prostrated than heretofore, he cannot be ex- ; 
pected to bridge over it. This and ether pertinent 
considerations make the outlook at once fearful 
and despondent. In the absence of substan- 
tial grounds upon which to build favorable 
expectation, some indulge the hope that the Presi- 
dent may be saved until the last moment, but this 
is the limit at which any one seems willing to trust 
himself. The general inclination, therefore, tends 
to put matters on a spiritual footing and to await the 
fate that threatens to overtake the sufferer, unless by 
an interposition of Providence he is put on the road 
to recovery. These are the hopes of the people and i 
these are the consolations yielded to that one sees I 
and hears on every hand. 
ASKING FOR THE CHILDREN. 
There is no longer a gen.ral admission to be bad 
to the Executive officers and only eminent official 
visitors are admitted up the official stairway. All 
the reports are that there is no change, that the 
patient's life seems to neither ebb nor 
flow, and that he is kept awake by the 
stimulants with which he is being con- 
stantly dosed. Whiskey in liberal quantities 
is used In the enemas, and brandy is taken by the 
mouth mixed with milk and with eggs beaten with 
it, the certain evidence of heroic treatment to st s- 
taia tho patient. His mind still wanders, and 
only at intervals does the President become 
rational. When he does he seems con- 
scious of his weakness and vainly tries to 
speak. The doctors cannot decide whether 
or not he appreciates the gravity of 
his position. His pulse flies up and down, reaching 
on one occasion as high as 140. When it gets twenty 
beats higher than that it will be impossible for even 
a delicate touch to count it. Ho spoke to-night ■ 
of the children and asked where and how 
they were. The question was addressed to 
Dr. Boynton, who said that Mollie was in 
the hall with Miss Rockwell, and that Jimmie was 
seeing to it that the cot upon which he'sleeps at 
night and which he has placed in the corridor near 
the door of the sick chamber, was being put into its 
proper place. Before tbe question was tully 
answered the President was asleep. 
HOW LONG CAN THE PRESIDENT LIVE? 
"From what has been said by tho surgeons in at- 
tendance and from the opinions of physicians 
familiar with the case it seems to be ac- 
cepted that Sunday will bear the date of 
the completion of the tragedy. It is gen- 
erally credited in the White House and elsewhere 
that forty-eight hours from to-night would be a 
long time for him to survive. There is, however, a 
fair reason to think that he may hold on longer. It 
is thought by some that he may go off at any mo- 
ment, while on the other hand tho surgeons say he 
will hang on for some time. As a matter of fact 
the surgeons do not pretend now to make any 
definite assertions. They seem to catch at straws 
of hope, and in their anxiety to give some word of 
hope they make the most of the little that is good, 
and the least of the much that is bad. The evening 
bulletin had a tendency to impress the belief 
that tho end was right at hand, although the bulletin 
gave the pulse as standing at 116-that was the 
minimum figure-and as a matter of fact it was 
much higher in its fluctuations, standing at one 
time at 140 and then going down to 
136, remaining at that figure for a 
while and then going down still further 
and hovering between 115 and 120. It was by such 
a reduction as this that the doctors were able to 
speak of the patient as being a shade better. As a 
matter of fact there had only been an amelioration 
of tho symptoms so apparent in the morning. It 
is deemed likely that when Dr. Frank Hamilton 
said, as he did to-night, that the patient was a shade 
improved, he meant no more than that. 
WATCHING HIS OWN CASE. 
So much has been said about tbe bulletins hitherto 
and tbeir alleged lack of truthfulness, or rather tbe 
absence of all the facts, in excuse for which ii has 
been said that it was not tho wish of the physicians 
to shako the spirit of the President, who 
often asked to see them, that the following 
statement by a doctor in whose medical skill the 
President had great faith, is of interest. 
"When Mrs. Garfield was sick," says the narrator, 
"he asked me about the pulse, temperature and res- 
piration. I explained all i bout it and the indica- 
tions of their variations. I told all I conld, that ho 
not being a medical man could not understand. 
After that, he used to send me tbe temperature, 
pulse and respiration, and a; k my opinions. Finally 
he got so that he would write the deductions made 
himself, and send them to me. They were almost 
invariably correct." 
The Doctor drew from his desk, as he spoke, the 
notes the President had sent him. 
"Now, does any sane man suppose that the Presi- 
dent, while his mind remained lucid, did not, with 
the knowledge he possessed, interpret every chang- 
ing phase of his own case as he learned what his 
temperature, pulse and respiration wore?" 
"At the hour of closing these despatches every- 
thing is quiet. The news from tho White House is 
reduced down to the simple statement that 'the 
President is no better, no worse. There is no 
change.' " 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion, i 
Washington, August 26-10:40 A. M. j 
Secretary Kirkwood came out of the Cabinet room 
a few moments since, and in reply to ques- 
tions of a reporter gave the following state- 
ment of the President's case, as he understands it 
this morning:-"I have never thought," he said, 
"until last night that the President would die, 
but the information which we received from 
the surgeons late in the evening was of such a char- 
acter as to leave very little room for hope. The 
danger which then teemed most imminent was the 
absorption of unhealthy pus from tho swollen 
parotid gland. The mental disturbance and the 
increased pulse seemed to indicate that tho pro- 
cess of absorption had already begun, and th .t it 
was poisoning the blood and thus acting upon tho 
brain and heart." 
Taking up a small egg-shaped piece of sponge 
which lay on the reporter's table, the Secretary con- 
tinued:-"As I understand tho case from what the 
surgeons have told me the President's right parotid 
gland is in sometrespects like this sponge. Every- 
where through it there are little cells or pockets; in 
each of which there is an accumulation of pus. The 
incision which was madeday before yesterday piorerd 
one of these pockets and released the pus which 
that particular one contained, but it did not drain 
the others, and in fact the others could not be effec- 
tually drained at this stage of the suppuration by a 
single incision made anywhere. The fear last night 
was that the pus retained in these small cavities would 
become unhealthy and, as I eaid before, result in 
acute blood poisoning. Dr. Bliss told us, however, 
last night, just before we went homo, that he had 
not given up the hope of a favorable change during 
the night, and the surgeons think this morning that 
there has been such a slight change for the better as 
Dr. Bliss hoped for. 
"The breaking of the suppurating gland into the 
cavity of the ear will, it is thought, afford more 
relief than could be given in any other way, and it 
is therefore regarded as a favorable symptom. The 
discharge through that channel seems to be free. 
The pus is thus far of a healthy character, and the 
patient's mind this morning is clearer than last 
night, showing that there has been no blood poison- 
ing of consequence from the gland as yet. Taking 
everything into consideration I think there is rea- 
son this morning for a little more hope." 
SECRETARY LINCOLN'S HOPE. 
Executive Mansion-11:15 A. M. 
Secretary Lincoln upon coming out of the Cab- 
inet room this morning was also asked what he 
thought of the President's condition. "Well," he 
said, "there is just enough encouragement this 
morning to revive the faint hope which I had up to 
last night that the President would pull through. 
From what the surgeons told us yesterday 
evening I received the impression that tho swollen 
parotid gland had very much the character of a se- 
vere and dangerous <arbuncle, which was enough of 
itself to bring a well man very low, even if it did 
not cause his death. With this impression hope 
pretty much left me. This morning, however, I feel 
again a little encouragement." 
"Upon what ground?" 
"Well; the inflamed gland, I am told, looks better 
than it did last night and is discharging quite freely 
through the ear. This the surgeons regard as 
favorable, and it seems so to me. I think, 
too, that the general condition of the patient 
is a little improved to-day. His mind 
acts better and grasps ideas more 
readily than it did last night, 
and there has been this morning none of the inco- 
herency of speech which was then noticed. If he 
were getting worse I do not think this would be the 
case. Upon the whole, therefore, I think we are 
justified in feeling slightly more encouraged. The 
case is not entirely hopeless." 
db. bliss' hope fob recovery. 
Executive Mansion-2 P. M. 
The noon bulletin has rather deepened than re- 
lieved the intense anxiety which prevails at the 
Executive Mansion. The discharge of pus from the 
inflamed parotid gland through the ear, which was 
regarded this morning as a tavorable change and 
one likely to afford relief, has not thus far answered 
expectation. The symptoms of the patient continue 
to be urgent and alarming, and he seems to be 
gradually sinking. Dr. Bliss came out of the sur- 
geons' room at twenty minutes of two and made the 
following replies to questions asked him:- 
"What do you think o£ the patient this after- 
noon?" 
"His condition is very critical." 
"Would you call it alarming?" 
"You may say alarming if you choose." 
"It is worse than at any time heretofore?" 
"It is as bad as at any time before-not entirely 
hopeless, you understand, but very grave." 
"Does he continue to take nourishment?" 
"Yes; about the same as yesterday. We have alsc 
resumed the administration of enemata. His sys- 
t-m seems to bear them well, and stimulants can 
bo given in that way better than through the 
mouth." 
"Do you moan alcoholic stimulants?" 
"Yes, whiskey." 
"What is the present condition of the swollen pa 
rotid gland?" 
"So far as we know about the same. In order not 
to disturb him unnecessarily we did not take the 
poultices and wrappings off this noon." 
"Is the danger now to be apprehended that acute 
blood poisoning from the pus in the gland?" 
"No. I do not think there is much danger of that 
now. He is more hkelv to die from exhaustion. It is 
a question of his ability to hold out if the present 
condition or things continues." 
"Has there been any recurrence of delirium to- 
day?" 
"Very little. Mrs. Garfield, who is with him all 
the time, says she noticed it only once this morn- 
ing, and then to a trifling extent." 
"His mind, you think, then, is clearer than last 
night?" 
"Decidedly so. He talks rationally, not a great 
deal, it is true, but a little, and is conscious Of whafc 
is going on around him." 
AN UNNOUBISHED BRAIN. 
"Is the mental disturbance attributable either to 
the condition of the swollen gland or to absorption 
by the blood of any vitiated products of the suppu- 
ration there?" 
"No, 1 think not. It is due, I presume, to the 
anaemic condition of the brain; the brain is not 
properly nourished. It is one of the effects of ex- 
haustion." 
"The fact, then, that his mind is clearer and more 
active to-day than yesterday is a favorable symptom 
so far as it goes?" 
"Yes." 
"Has the patient's pulse been higher at any tim« 
to-day than it was when the examination was mad« 
for the noon bulletin?" 
"No, I think not. Of course, every time we movs 
or disturb him the rate of the pulse is accelerated, 
but we do not always take it at such times and 
might not notice a transient fluctuation. The rats 
given in the noon bulletin was, I believe, the high- 
est observed to-day. The character of the pulse, 
however, is of quite as much importance as the 
rate, and in tbe President's case the character haa 
improved a little since morning." 
"Is Mrs. Garfield fully aware of the gravity of the 
situation?" 
"Yes. She is with her husband now almost all the 
time. She is a close observer and notices the 
slightest change in his condition and appearance, 
and she discusses his symptoms with us frequently. 
We have not thought it necessary to say anything 
to her with regard to the probable result of the case, 
because we still hope for recovery." 
"Does her strength hold out and does she still 
keep up?" 
--Perfectly. She has not shown the slightest weak- 
ness." 
"In case the President should grow worse-so 
much as to leave no room for hope-what would 
probably be the cause of death?" 
"Exhaustion, unless some new complication 
should make its appearance; the patient is not likely 
to die directly from any other cause." 
"Is there any intention of sending for Dr. Agnew?" 
"No. We should be glad, of course, to have the 
benefit or Dr. Agnew's counsel, and if there was the 
slightest doubt as to the proper treatment of any 
symptom of the President's case we should send lor 
him, but there is none. We are entirely agreed upon 
the treatment." 
In conclusion Dr. Bliss said:-"Please do not mis- 
understand me and quote me as saying that tha 
President's case is hopeless. I do not think it is 
He has a chance, although perhaps a slim chance, of 
recovery, and for recovery I still hope." 
Executive Mansion-5 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss says he has just taken the President's 
pulse and that it is 117, notwithstanding all reports 
to the contrary. 
DB. REXBURN'S STATEMENT-TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD. 
Executive Mansion-8:30 P. M. 
Dr. Heyburn, in conversation just before the ap- 
pearance of the evening bulletin, said that in his 
judgment the patient had not lost any ground since 
the middle of the afternoon, ft was feared, he said, 
at one time to-day that the whole parotid gland 
would slough off in a suppurating mass, 
and if this should occur the shock to 
the patient's system would almost certainly 
prove fatal. Later in the afternoon, however, tho 
appearance of the gland was more reassuring and 
gave ground tor hope that the suppuration would be confined, within the limits of a simple al- 
though a bad abscess. The Doctor said ha 
could not yet bring himself to believe tha1 
the President would die, although he appreciated 
fully the gravity of the situation. The vitality oi 
the patient was very low, and it was questionabla 
whether he could hold out much longer against the 
depressing influence of the suppurating gland. 
Nevertheless he felt that if they could tide him over 
two or three days and get the glandular complica- 
tion under control he would stillstand a fair chance 
of recovery. 
While Dr. Reyburn was talking with the reporter 
he received from a gentleman in the city a com- 
munication addressed to the surgeons recommend- 
ing that an effort be made to increase the President's 
vitality by a resort to the operation known 
as the transfusion of blood, and offering 
to supply Hom bis (the writer's) own veins 
the necessary quantity of the vital fluid. Upon 
being asked whether the suggestion had any value, 
Dr. Heyburn said that the results of the transfusion 
ot blood in cases of exhaust on had not as a rule 
been entirely satisfactory. The operation had oc- 
casionally succeeded, but it was attended with a 
good deal of danger and was apt to cause a profound 
disturbance of the circulation. He doubted whether 
it would ba ot any use in the President's 
case even as a last resort. Speaking of the Presi- 
dent's general symptoms. Doctor Reyburn said that 
he had been a little quieter this afternoon and had 
shown no further signs of mental disturbance. He 
had continued to take food satisfactorily and had 
slept a good deal in short naps. In other respectl 
his general condition seemed to be unchanged. 
DB. BOYNTON BEPOBTS A SLIGHT CHANGE. 
Executive Mansion-9:30 P. M. 
Dr. Boynton said he thought there had been a very 
slight improvement in the President's general con- 
dition since four o'clock. 
"Up to that hour," he said, "I think he had grad- 
ually failed. His pulse ran up early in the after- 
noon as high as 138, and remained at 136 for a con- 
siderable time. I thought once that he could hardly 
live through the night. About four o'clock, how- 
ever, he rallied slightly, and since that time has 
fully held his own. In fact 1 think his general con- 
dition now is a tri tie better." 
"Have indications ot swelling or suppuration ap- 
peared anywhere except in the wound and the paro- 
tid gland?" 
"No." 
"What was the character of the pus discharged to- 
day by the wound?" 
"It looked about as it did last night." 
"Was it as good last night as before that time?" 
"No, not quite. It was less in quantity and it had 
a slightly watery appearance." 
"To what was that attributable?" 
"Probably to the impoverished condition of the 
patient's blood." 
"Do you think there is anything in this changed 
character of the pus discharged by the wound to 
cause additional alarm?" 
"No; it only shows the weak and depleted condi- 
tion of the patient's body. It is an evidence of in- 
anition." 
"What are the symptoms to-night which you re- 
gard as more favorable?" 
"Well, the character of his pulse is a little better, 
for one thing, and there seems also to be some im- 
provement in his mental condition. He has been 
brighter since four o'clock than he was before that 
time; but, of course, this change for the better, it it 
can be so called, is very slight. 
Executive Mansion-10 P. M. 
The surgeons report that the very slight improve, 
ment noticed in the President's condition late thi! 
afternoon is still maintained. It does not, however, 
as yet afford any solid ground for encouragement. 
Condition ot the President- 
Hope is no longer rational in the Presi- 
dent's case, and the expectant condition of 
the public mind is only with regard to "the 
inevitable hour." Perhaps it is natural for 
the immediate friends and even for the 
medical attendants who have watched the 
case so intently as to have lost the capacity 
to see it unaffected by the distorting 
influence of their emotions, to give 
an undue importance to eveiy little fact 
that is on the favorable side, and to cor- 
respondingly belittle, despite their own 
judgment, the facts of deep moment that 
are on the other side ; but this course 
holds out now rather a mockery of 
hope than hope itself. It has ceased 
to cheer even those most ready to 
grasp at the shadow of encouragement,. 
Although the abscess in the parotid 
gland is discharging freely through the 
external passage of the ear and has thus 
opened reasonably near the surface it is 
probable that the inflammatory disturbance 
has extended more deeply toward the brain.' 
But this is not necessary to account for the 
delirium with which the patient awakes, 
nor the semi-comatose state in which 
he lies mo^t cf the time, for these 
are parts of the history of every 
chronic pyaemia. There can be no 
favorable signs derived Irom the condition 
of the gland to change the aspect of the 
case; for if the complication of the gland 
were out of the c >se altogether the now 
deeply poisoned condition of the blood, and 
the other complications this will involve, 
would prove necesarily fatal. This is a sad 
and lamentable result, but we do not be- 
lieve an indulgence of vain hopes will make 
the blow any lighter. NEW YORK HERALD 
London, August 27, 1881. 
Blaine. Secretary, Washington:- 
X have just received from Her Majesty the Queen, 
at Balmoral, a telegram in these words: "I am 
most deeply grieved at tiie sad news of the last few 
, days, and would wish my deep sympathy to be con- 
veyed to Mrs. Garfield." LOWELL. Minister. 
mu. blaine's beply. 
Depabtment of State, } 
Washington, August 27, 1881.J 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
I have submitted to Mrs. Garfield your telegram 
conveying the kindly message from Her Majesty 
the Queen. Mrs. Garfield is constantly by her hus- 
band's bedside and does not give up all hope of his 
recovery. Her- request is that you will return to 
the Queen her most sincere thanks, and express her 
heartfelt appreciation of the constant interest and 
tender sympathy shown by Her Majesty toward the 
President and his family in their d.ep grief and 
most painful suspense. BLAINE, Secretary. 
THE PATIENT TAKES SOME TOAST. 
Executive Mansion-9:30 P. M. 
About half an hour ago the President said to Mrs. 
Garfield, who was sitting by his bedside, that he 
would like a piece ot milk toast. She replied that | 
If the surgeons had no objections she would get it 
for him. Dr. Bliss, upon being consulted, said, that 
it would do no harm if the condition of the Presi- 
dent's parotid gland would allow him to move his 
jaws enough to eat it. Mrs. Garfield thereupon 
prepared the toast carefully herself, and the patient 
ate with apparent relish and enjoyment a piece 
about half as large as a man's hand, moving his 
jaws with less difficulty than was.anticipated. This 
taking of solid food for the first time in about two 
weeks is regarded by the President's attendants as 
a favorable indication, and has strengthened a little 
more the hope expressed this afternoon by Colonel 
Rockwell and General Swaim. 
HISTORY OF THE DAY. 
Washington, August 27, 1881. 
The President lives, but he seems very near the 
valley of the shadow of death. Itds just eight weeks 
to-day since he was shot down, and in all that 
time the fears of his physicians never plac6d him 
so near the fatal end as they do now. Occa- 
sionally a word of doubtful cheer comes from 
the White House. It is the last effort to encourage, 
and it indicates nothing more than that those about 
the deathbed are forcing their hopes and keeping 
up a brave front even in the face of 
hope's defeat. The day and night have been 
a long stretch of anxious waiting. Many 
people thought the President would die last night; 
even among those who are ordinarily hopeful that 
fear obtained. But for the most part the feeling 
was that, near as the end might be it was not to be 
reached within, twenty-tour hours. This belief has 
been verified, and to-night the President's condi- 
tion is not materially different from that of last 
evening at this hour. 
HOPELESS SUBGEONS. 
Washington was early astir alarmed at what had 
transpired in the night. Anxious inquiries met noth- 
ing encouraging in the way of replies during the 
night. He slept agood deal, but near daylight he was 
wide awake and in full possession of his faculties, 
but so weak that he could scarcely speak in a 
whisper, and could not move the swollen head that 
lay helpless on its pillow. All during the night he 
was watched over by tho doctors, who left the room 
for a few moments at a time on some necessary 
errand. They did not know but that the end 
was so near that before the morning all 
would be over. There * was a reasonable 
cause to fear that. Mrs. Garfield herself 
came at frequent intervals. She slept only a little, 
and what rest she took was on a sofa, where she 
could be spoken to almost from the door of the sick 
chamber. As she has always done she maintained 
her self-possession, never giving up an in- 
stant, and appearing in the sick room only to 
minister to the wants of her husband or suggest 
some way of securing him a greater degree of com- 1 
fort. The President did not speak during the , 
night. He was much troubled by the swol- 
len throat that forced him to contin- 
ually perform the muscular act of swal- 
lowing. Even when he was asleep Ije did 
this. When he was awake betore daylight his mind 
seemed to wander and his eyes were restless. They 
appeared to follow phantoms that floated on the air, 
and sometimes he appeared to be frightened at what 
he saw. When he became quite awake and the 
shades of the windows were drawn aside he caught 
a long breath and sighed. 
COUNTING THE PULSE. 
At that moment Dr. Bliss came forward to take 
his pulse. It fluctuated so that he could not count 
it. The glandular swelling was not discharging so 
freely, and the condition of things was not such as 
to give encouragement to the anxious watchers and 
waiting people about him. It was thought that he 
was sinking and life was slowly and surely ebbing 
away. It was then said by the doctors, and quoted 
outside, that he might live twenty-four hours. Drs. 
Reyburn and Barnes came in quite early. They 
were astonished at the rapid change for the 
worse as indicated by the sufferer's condition 
at seven o'clock. The pulse was then fluctuating 
very fast, and it was only after some stimulants- 
brandy, milk and the yolk of eggs-had been given 
that it got at a figure where It could be counted. 
Then it was steady at 120 beats to the minute, 
SIGNS OF EARLY DISSOLUTION. 
The morning bulletin was anxiously looked for. 
It was strictly non-committal and gave no indica- 
tion of the doctors' opinion as to the length of time 
the President could survive. It said that he had 
slept some; that he had taken food at intervals; 
that the enemata had been administered at 
iutervais, but the pulse was more frequent, 
and that he was feebler. In the last 
two facts the story of the ebbing life was told. The 
temperature going down and the pulse going up 
were the sure precursors of dissolution. 
Mrs. Garfield knew that, and she asked Dr, Boyn- 
ton, who stood in the library, if it was not the un- 
mistakable sign. 
"It usually is," was his reply. 
"Is it near at hand?" she asked again. 
"I fear it is," he answered. 
"Within a few hours?" she persisted. 
"Perhaps not to-day." 
At this moment Miss Mollie Garfield, the only 
daughter, drew near. Accompanying her was Miss 
Rockwell, Miss Mollie's constant friend. The con- 
versation was dropped, Dr. Boynton speaking of 
some irrelevant matter. But Miss Mollie wanted to 
know then and there the facts. She asked her 
mother, who said:- 
"We hope for the best; your father still lives." 
The girl broke forth with tears and sobs. Her 
mother's sad tones, if not her words, told the story i 
and conveyed the terrible truth to her young mind. 
Her companion tried to comfort her with kind words 
and caresses, but the child was almost hysterical 
and Dr. Boynton came forward and led her away. 
SAD AND TOUCHING SCENES. 
Before seven o'clock bulletins of the President's 
condition had been conveyed to the members of the 
Cabinet, and half an hour later all of them had 
come to the Executive Mansion. It then seemed as 
if the President would pass away within 
a few hours. There was nothing iu his con- 
dition to lead any one to suppose he 
might not. Dr. Reyburn said he thought the 
end was near at hand, and Dr. Barnes believed that 
death must come in a little while. The Cabinet was 
told that the end was fast approaching and there 
was no room for hope. For an hour the doctors 
hung over the bed and watched their patient. 
He did not speak to them, but his 
mind was clearing. It seemed to be the 
last effort of nature to give Death's victim one mo- 
ment of control over his fast fading faculties. 
Swaim and Rockwell came into the room and stood 
at the foot of the bed. Mrs. Garfield stood over it, 
near his head, and spoke to him. He understood 
her and smiled and replied in whispers. He recog- 
nized Rockwell first and then Swaim, and over his 
i 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT.' 
proprietor. 
NEW YORK, SUNDAY. AUGUST 28, 1881. 
[PT TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 27-8:30 A. M. J 
The President slept from half an hour to an hour 
or more at a time throughout the night. He con- 
tinues to retain the liquid food administered by the 
mouth and the stimulating enemata. Nevertheless 
his pulse has been more frequent since midnight, 
and he is evidently feebler this morning than 
yesterday. Pulse, 120; temperature, 98.4; respira- 
tion, 22. 
D. W. BUSS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12:30 P.M. 
There has been no improvement in the President's 
condition since the last bulletin was issued. Ho 
continues to retain the liquid food administered by 
the mouth as well as the enemata. At the morning 
dressing the parotid swelling appeared about the 
same as yesterday. No material change was ob- 
served in the wound. Since morning the tempera- 
ture has risen about a degree, and the pulse has 
fluctuated somewhat. At present the pulse is 120, 
temperature 99 6-10, respiration 22. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The President's symptoms show slight ameliora- 
tion this afternoon. His pulse is somewhat less 
frequent and his temperature lower; moreover, the 
mental disturbance described in yesterday morn- 
ing's bulletin has disappeared. Tho parotid swell- 
ing has discharged a little pus by the opening 
spontaneously formed into the ear, as well as by 
the incision made, but is not perceptibly smaller. 
The liquid food given by the mouth and the 
enemata continue to be retained. Pulse, 114; tem- 
perature, 98.9; respiration, 22. 
D. W. BLISS, J. K. BARNES, 
J. J. WOODWARD, ROBERT REYBURN, 
FRANK H. HAMILTON, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
STATE DEPARTMENT DESPATCHES. 
Secretary Blaine sent the following telegrams to 
Minister Lowell to-day :- 
Washington, August 27-9 A. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President had a bad night, and his symptoms 
at this hour are of the most alarming chracter. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 27-2 P. M. 
Lowell, Minister, London :- 
There has been no change for the better in the 
President's condition since morning. His fever has 
risen and his pulse at this hour is 120. His phy- 
sicians do not regard the case as hopeless, but very 
dangerous and critical. BLAINE, Secretary. 
Washington, August 27-10:30 P. M. 
Lowell. Minister, London:- 
There is a somewhat more hopeful feeling to-night 
in regard to the President. The regular evening 
bulletin was more favorable, and the good indica- 
tions nave continued. His pulse is lower, be- 
ing now 111, and of better quality. His 
mind is entirely clear. He has shown positive 
ippetite, asking for milk toast, a small quantity of 
which be was permitted to eat. This is the first 
time for many days that he has swallowed anything 
but liquid food. A slight increase in his respira- 
tion is the only adverse sympton reported at this 
hour. BLAINE, Secretary. 
anotheb message from queen victobia. 
The following correspondence by cable is also fur- 
nished from the State Department: - distorted race, swollen out o£ all recognition of 
i its handsome lines and proportions, came a srniie. 
The eyes lighted with intelligence, and he moved 
his head so as to see who else was there. 
WAITING FOR DEATH. 
At that moment the pulse was taken. It was 
stronger than before and more regular. It was at 
this hour that Blaine's nine o'clock despatch to Min- 
ister Lowell was sent. The crowd about the gate 
and in the streets had heard nothing for an 
hour, and the closing words of the despatch, "the 
symptoms are of the most alarming character," gave 
color to a rumor actively circulated in the streets 
that the President could not survive the next hour. J 
When it was found that he was not losing ground a 
word of encouragement went out that said death 
was not likely to occur during the forenoon. The 
members of the Cabinet then went home to break- 
fast. At ton o'clock the condition of the patient 
was reported as the same as the afternoon of yes- 
terday. Nothing was said about the wounds, 
and the doctors who came into the executive offices 
or were met hurrying through the balls avoided 
answering questions. It was learned that it was 
still giving off the watery flow of matter and no 
healthy pus came at all. As to the parotid swell- 
ing there was no change reported. 
TOTTERING HOPES. 
The crowd increased around the White House. 
They got little news. At half-past ten o'clock they 
heard that the President was a trifle better. At 
eleven o'clock the report came from Dr. Bliss that 
there was no change. He had been asked a number of 
questions. In reply he had simply said there was no 
change. Halt an hour afterward the Cabinet had 
returned to the White House and the word was sent 
out that the President's condition was extremely 
critical. The hope that had sprung up by the ap- 
pearance of a favorable change-barely perceptible, 
it is true-disappeared with the recurrence of the 
fluttering pulse, that at one time was up 
to 148. Every time the President moved the 
pulse changed. If ho turned his head it jumped 
from 120 to 130. If he shifted his shoulders and 
moved his arms it sprang to 140. It was responsive 
to the slichtest movement and quick to answer the 
effect of any exertion. All the time the word was 
given out that there was no change. 
MBS. GARFIELD RESIGNED. 
Mrs. Garfield sat in the door of her room, just 
across the hall from the dying man's chamber. As 
every one came out she lifted her face appeal- 
ingly and said with her expression as plainly 
as words would say it, "Is there any hopeful 
sign?" Each time the answer came-"No change." 
This she heard repeated at intervals many times. A 
visitor who saw her then walked with her to the 
library. Seeking to encourage her she said:- 
"Your husband may Jive a week or even ten days 
in this condition. In that time who can teil what 
new cause for hope may spring up?" 
"Alas! I am forced to believe that his life cannot 
be prolonged, and if it is, there are so few, so very few 
chances. But yet," she said, "I have hope. James 
can do anything. He is trying to get well. He never 
fails." 
With the news of the bad symptoms at eleven 
o'clock the Cabinet went into a conference at which 
it was decided not to send for the Vice President 
until it was absolutely necessary. Other State busi- 
ness was discussed, all of it having close connection 
with the impending calamity. 
Dr. Bliss said at noon, "It is my belief that he will 
not recover." He said, further, that he may live 
two or three days. The first part of his remark was 
taken up and exaggerated before It had been carried 
to the White House gates. In its repetition from 
lip to lip it was repeated as, "He will die to-day, and 
he is now dying," 
THE PATIENT LOSING HOPE. 
Dr. Boynton spent most of the day with the Presi- 
dent. This afternoon, about one o'clock, he called 
him closer and asked:- 
"Am I getting weaker?" 
"You are, perhaps, not as strong as yon were the 
other day," was the guarded reply. 
"Well, shall we keep up the struggle?" he asked 
again. 
"By all means," was Boynton's encouraging an- 
swer, and shortly afterward the President was 
asleep. 
This, so far as it is known, was the first time 
since the day ho was shot that the Hon-hearted 
President has even considered the possi- 
bility of failing to get well. There was 
anxious waiting for the noon bulletin. It 
bore the burden of the mournful words, 
"no change," in every line. The temperature was 
getting higher, that was all, and as for the pulse, 
there was nothing indicated in the figures, it was 
known that it ran madly up and down and knew no 
regular place to stand. At half-past one o'clock 
still no change. At two o'clock still no 
change. At three o'clock Dr. Bliss, who had 
been out of the White House returned, and reported 
again, after seeing the patient, that it was his belief 
that the President will not recover. He said, too, 
that the faculties were clearer than they had been 
for a week. In this statement there was an aston- 
ishing amount of hope raised. When the Doctor 
had made his examination the President asked 
about the pulse. He was told that it was stronger 
and less frequent. 
"How high?" he asked. 
"About 11G," was the answer. 
"Too high," was his comment. 
It is understood, however, that the President was 
despondent in the morning, but was quite cheery 
before the noon hour passed by. His hope was un- 
shaken. 
STRONG IN FAITH. 
A great deal has been said about his superstitious 
regard tor dates and numbers. Among other things 
that he thought much about was the recurrence of 
certain days, and especially to which is attached 
or multiples of seven could be discerned. 
It was thought by many that he would 
recur to the fact that this was the 
eighth recurrence of the seventh day of his shoot- 
ing, and that pondering on it he might grow more 
despondent. This did not prove to be the case. It 
he thought of it at all he gave no sign thereof and 
did not mention it. .Perhaps of all the people 
about the White House none have been 
so hopeful as Colonel Rockwell. Not even in 
this dark hour have his words ceased to be 
those of encouragement and hope. If he has ever 
felt a moment of despondency it has never been ex- 
pressed in words, and it has become a subject of 
remark how cheerful and helpful such a man's 
sunny, sanguine disposition must be to the 
sick and the wounded man who clings to him as to 
a brother. To-day, said the Colonel to the patient, 
"Hopeful always. It is only when death sets its 
^nal seal, General Garfield, that I s'hall despair." 
HOPE RENEWED. 
Dr. Bliss came down stairs shortly after eight 
o'clock and when asked if he felt more encouraged 
to-night, said, "Yes, I do. I also believe if the Pres- 
ident passes to-merrow as successfully as he has 
to-day, there will be better grounds for re- 
newed hope. He has evinced an appetite 
for solid food. Just a few minutes ago 
he asked for some milk toast. A small quantity 
was given him, has been retained and it has occa- 
sioned no perceptible annoyance. I feel more hope- 
ful now than I did last night." Pr. Reyburn came 
out a few minutes later. When asked if he received 
any encouragement from the present indications he 
said:-"Yes, the President is resting easier this 
evening than he has for several days." 
"Doctor, do you think if the President should 
pass safely through to-morrow there will be grounds 
for renewed hope?" 
"I cannot at this stage of the case anticipate what 
will be his condition a day or two hence." 
"Doctor, have you given him up?" 
"No, not as yet. The symptoms are very slightly 
better than they have been." 
CABINET OFFICERS CHEERFUL AGAIN. 
When the Cabinet officers left the White House at 
ten o'clock they were feeling very much encour- 
aged at the information they had received. 
Secretary Hunt said:-"There is a gleam of hope 
that may ripen into a probability of his recovery." 
Secretary Lincoln said:-"The indications are 
cheerful and encouraging." 
"Ilas Postmaster General James gone to New 
York?" 
"I do not know. He has not been here this even- 
ing. He may have done so." 
Secretary Windom said he felt encouraged in the 
belief that he may yet recover. 
Attorney General MacVeagh said the physicians 
say the indications are more favorable and there are 
prospects of the President's passing a good night. 
That is all that can be said of the case as it now stands. 
Secretary Blaine said:-"My dear sir, the Presi- 
dent is better to-night than he has been for several ■ 
nights. He has made a grand rally, and 
it looks as though he were going to be 
victorious. I have just sent a very 
favorable despatch. A copy of my telegram is up 
stairs. You can see what I have to say in that. The 
favorable symptoms have continued since the last 
bulletin was issued." 
Secretary Kirkwood said tilings looked more en- 
couraging. 
Dr. Boynton, at ten o'clock, said:-"The situation . 
looks more cheerful at this time. The parotid gland 
looks slightly better, but the discharge through the ; 
ear and the incision has been very slight, and not 
sufficient to produce the relief desired. This 
' gleam of hope that has been apparent and slowly 
but surely increasing since this afternoon may 
be dispelled by morning or it may be brighter. 
This may be only a temporary subsidence of the 
alarming symptoms, but we all hope for the best," 
SURGEON GENERAL BARNES' FRANK STATEMENT. I 
After the morning bulletin was issued Surgeon 
General Barnes went to his office quite near the Ex- 
ecutive Mansion, where he was called upon by your 
correspondent. The conversation at once turned 
upon the President's condition, and General Barnes 
stated that there was no hope left, except such as 
might be had from the fact that the patient was still 
living. He said that the surgeons in attendance 
felt some days ago that the case would undoubtedly 
reach a fatal termination, because he had failed after 
the relapse, when the stomach failed to act, to gain 
sufficient strength to stand the terrible drain of the 
wound on the system, and so recuperate from the 
physical prostration he was suffering. 
"The most alarming evidence of this weakness 
was the flighty condition of his mind when waking, 
and this condition would appear at times during his 
waking spells. This morning, however, this condi- 
tion is not present, and the President appears to 
fully comprehend his surroundings. He asked 
about his condition and noticed and spoke to these 
around him. His voice is low and weak, but was 
distinct. It is only a question of brief time when 
he will pass away, because nothing can be done to 
give him the necessary strength to pass over this 
trouble. The wound also presents a less fa- 
vorable appearance than at any time since 
the injury. Dr. Bliss is still the most 
sanguine of the medical attendants, but he is 
naturally of a hopeful disposition, and I suppose 
will not give up until the end comes. He was 
forced to admit yesterday with the rest that there 
seemed no chance left. We have all worked very 
hard over this case and have done all that we could, 
and are most of us worn out. Dr. Bliss is very 
seriously worn down and I think will need attention 
after he is released from the case. He has grown 
thin, his eyes are sunken and surrounded by heavy 
dark lines, while his skin has a saffron color. He is 
a man who never does things by halves. I knew 
much of him during the war while he was in clwtrge 
of the Armory Square Hospital here, and have 
known him at times when large numbers of patients 
would come in after a great battle to work so 
steadily, day and night, that after the emergency 
had passed he would be driven to his own bed, pros- 
trated from the overstrain of mind and body. 
"NOT MANY MORE BULLETINS." 
"The condition of the President's pulse to-day 
shows the extreme weakness, but its beats fluctuate 
so rapidly that it can hardly be depended upon to 
show his real condition. The fatigue to him of 
dressing the wound sends the pukse up. After the 
wound is dressed he Is lifted on the sheet and the 
soiled sheet removed, as is any other linen that may 
have become soiled. That tires him, and the pulse 
at once rises, which of course is shown in our bul- 
letin. I doubt if any caso was ever watched more 
carefully than this has been, and I feel that every- 
thing has been done that could be. The 
report of the caso will be very exhaust- 
ive of the subject, and will include in 
our published history the record of the whole of 
the examination made each day. Many were taken 
of temperature, pulse and respiration that were not 
given out. Only those which were taken at the 
time of dressing the wound and the supplemental ones taken at times when his condition created ad- 
ditional alarm were given in the bulletins. I would 
not trust myself to say what I consider a brief time 
before the end, but I mean that very few more bul- 
letins will be issued." 
General Barnes has changed very much in his per- 
I sonal appearance since his connection with the 
President's case. He has losj greatly in weight; 
his florid, robust appearance has entirely disap- 
peared, his eyes have a hollow look and his skin 
looks sallow. Bis whole appearance is that of a 
man who has endured a great strain of mind and 
body. 
MIS. EDSON'S REPOKT. 
Dr. Susan Edson said this evening that, in spile 
of the critical condition of the President, his mind 
i was clearer than at any nine for the past ten days. 
•'Do you regard that in a hopeful light?" 
"Yes. I can't help but do so. The wandering of 
his mind was one of the saddest features about his 
case. East night was a terrible one to the 
watchers by the bedside. The Presi- 
dent was very restless, and it made every- 
body so. All were thinking of what to-day, 
■ always fatal to him, would bring forward. One feels 
| a thousand times more willing to hold on to his lite 
with him when you have seen the struggle he is 
making and his perfect knowledge ot it. Indeed it is 
heartrending to hear him ask about his condition. 
He said to me last night, 'Doctor, my system seems 
to be appropriating all the nourishment you 
give me. Why am I not getting better?' I 
answered that the constant drain on his 
strength in the waste from the gland and the 
wound was what was weakening him. 'Well,' he 
reasoned, 'how long do you think I can stand this?' 
I told him if he did not get any worse for three or 
four days there would be hope for him yet." 
"Has he displayed to-day any desire for his food?" 
"He evidently wants to keep our hopes up, for 
" *■"« «e nave regularly administered the nourisn- 
ment every two hours he has frequently asked for 
it in the meantime. He takes every bit we give him, 
and invariably says, 'That tastes good.' " 
"How docs his face look?'' 
"Terribly. The swell ng has almost distorted his 
features and completely changed his appearance. 
That stupid daze his eyes had for so many days im- 
proved a little to-day when his mind became 
so much clearer. This morning early he 
looked awfully. He felt badly after the 
restless night he had spent, knowing the terrible 
bearing it had on his case. They had told him if be 
gained ever so little it would help him wonderfully, 
but he knew that if anything he had lost. All along 
his time of greatest prostration has been late in the 
day past noon, and frequently not until early in the 
night, but now for the past three mornings from 
lour to about nine o'clock have been the worst 
hours of the dav. Possibly some change one way or 
another will occur at the corresponding time 
Sunday morning. Perhaps his depression this 
morning and almost entire loss of hope was due 
to the fact that it was Saturday. He had grown 
into the habit of summing up the week's 
record on Saturday morning and rarely missed 
recurring to the incidents of the shooting when tlTe 
hour struck. But he has not been able to know the 
lapse of time this week, and, of course, nobody re- 
ferred to it however he may have felt it himself. 
"Doctor, your statements have always been given 
in such a straightforward manner that people have 
grown to believe in them in preference to the say- 
ings of the surgeons. Will you tell me candidly 
what you think?" 
"I know as well as any one living the dreadful 
possibililies of the case. Everybody is now familiar 
with the complications that may come and all are 
prepared to hear of death. I have been these three 
nights past at the bedside and, except a few hours, 
all day, and now after I return at six o'clock 
to the room will not leave it until to-morrow morn- 
ing. I have told you just how the day has gone, 
and how, with the return of consciousness and 
other good signs, which I hope have con- 
tinued during my absence from the bed- 
side, have run up our hopes, if ever so 
slightly, again. Dr. Bliss told me just before I left 
that it did look good, thoagn an hour or two before 
he, for the first time, told officially what he believed 
was surely coming-death. I look forward to the 
morning with great anxiety." 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion. 1 
Washington, August 27-7 A. M. ( 
Information received from the physicians this 
morning is to the eflect that the situation is about 
the same-or perhaps less encouraging than at a 
late hour last night. The frequency of his pulse at 
this hour (seven A. M.) has not been ascertained, but 
it is noticeably less firm. Once during the night - 
about half-past one A. M.-it was noticed to range 
from 125 to 130 pulsations per minute. 
Executive Mansion-10 A. M. 
Dr. Bliss went to the President's bedside at about 
six o'clock this morning. He then observed that 
although the frequency of the pulse had not materi- 
ally changed, its character was weaker and more un- 
steady. He did not interpret this as certain evidence 
• of the nearness of the end, but as a circumstance 
calculated to narrow still more the President's 
chances for recovery. 
Executive Mansion-10:50 A. M. 
General .Swaim, in an interview with a reporter 
of the Associated Press at twenty minutes to eleven 
o'clock this morning, said that the President's pulse 
had varied a good deal since the morning dressing. 
The least exertion or any slight movement of the 
; body was enough to increase its frequency, so that 
although its average rate might not change a great 
deal it was occasionally higher for short periods. 
The swollen parotid gland, he said, continues to 
' discharge through the ear and through the incision 
made several days ago, and this discharge seems to 
afford relief. The surgeons still hope that the 
nourishment which the patient fakes will sustain 
his strength and keen him on the present plane of 
vitality until the glandular abscess becomes less 
threatening, when there will be, in General 
Swaim's opinion, a chance, at least, of rocupera- 
tion- 
DR. BLISS THINKS HE CANNOT RECOVER. 
Executive Mansion-1 P. M. 
In an interview with a reporter at noon Dr. Bliss 
said:- 
"I think he Is no better to-day than yesterday, and 
1 when I say he is no better it is about equivalent to 
saying that he is worse, because the longer he goes 
on in this way without positive repair the less be- 
come his chances of recovery," 
"Has he failed much this forenoon?" 
"Not a great deal since seven o'clock. His time of 
greatest depression is early in the morning. It was 
so yesterday morning, and was so again this morn- 
ing. After that he rallied a little, and his pulse 
fluctuated during the forenoon between 110 and 
118." 
"Does he realize his condition?" 
"I think he does to a certain extent. He has in- 
' quired about his pulse and about the condition of 
the inflamed gland several times to-day." 
"You do not think he has given up the hope of his 
own recovery?" 
"No, I don't think he has. Ho seemed more dis- 
couraged about himself this morning than usual, 
and I think his discouragement had something to 
do with his physical depression. His mind seemed 
for a time to react unfavorably upon his body." 
"Did he ask yon how he was?" 
"Yes, and Mrs. Garfield and I gave,hfm reassuring 
replies. That seemed to brace him up and he soon 
afterward rallied." 
"What is the condition of his mind to-day?" 
"His mind is absolutely clear." 
"Better, then, than yesterday?" 
"Much better. Ho understands everything that 
is said to him to-day apd is conscious of what goes 
on about him." 
"What is the appearance of the parotid gland 
to-day?" 
"It has not changed much.", 
U "Does it continue to discharge?" 
"Yes, it discharges rather more freely I think 
through the ear." 
"Are any of the other glands of the body af- 
fected?" 
"No." 
"And there is no suppuration except in the wound 
and the gland?" 
"Nowhere else." 
"How does the woundlook?" 
"Not quite so well as heretofore. The granula- 
tions were not so perfect this morning as they have 
hitherto been." 
"Has the character of the pus from the wound 
changed?" 
"Not materially. It perhaps indicates a little more 
depletion of the system." 
"Has tho slim chance of which you spoke yester- 
day, Docior, grown any narrower since then?" 
"Yes; I think it has. He has less chance to-day 
to recover than he had yesterday." 
"You still hope for recovery?" 
"Yes, I hope for it." 
"But what is your judgment-your belief-with 
regard to it?" 
"My belief is that the President cannot recover. 
If it were not for the local trouble-I mean the con- i 
dltion of the parotid gland-be might gain strength 
and make progress, but I do not see how tho process 
ot repair can begin or go on in the presence of that 
complication." 
"If there should be no improvement, how ion" 
would the patient probably hold out?" 
"I should think he might live two or three days. 
I do not think death will occur suddenly." 
"You say his mind to-day is absolutely clear; is it 
not probable that his mental faculties will fail be- 
fore the end comes?" 
"Yes, I presume death will be preceded by a pe- 
riod of unconsciousness." 
"Have you advised Mrs. Garfield to send for any 
other members of the family?" 
"No, I do not think it is our place to make that 
suggestion. Mrs. Garfield knows perfectly well how 
the President is." 
"Has any one been admitted to the room to see 
him yesterday or to-day except the surgeons and the 
usual attendants?" 
I "No one, to my knowledge." 
"If death occurs will its approach be recognisable 
I for any considerable time in advance?" 
"I think it will. It is impossible to predict with 
certainty what course the case will take, but I think 
it likely that if the worst comes to the worst the 
President will sink gradually, and that we shall 
have some hours' warning of the coming of the 
end." 
Executive Mansion-4 P. M. 
•At four o'clock this afternoon Dr. 1 llss made the 
following replies to questions asked him: - 
"What is the condition of the President this after- 
noon?" 
"He has had a more comfortable day than was an- 
ticipated this morning. His mental condition is 
perfect. He takes his food well. He is resting 
quietly, and his pulse is now about 111." 
"Do you think there is any more reason for en- 
couragement?" 
"The facts I have just given you are some reasons 
for encouragement." 
DR. AGNEW SUMMONED. 
Philadelphia, August 27, 18S1. 
Dr. D. Hayes Agnew was summoned to Washing- 
ton by telegraph this morning, and left the West 
Philadelphia depot at twenty minutes past twelve. 
He declined to make any statement for publication, 
but he said to a gentleman, who repeated it to your 
correspondent, that President Garfield was dying, 
and that in his opinion it was only a question of a 
very brief space of time. It may now be said that 
Dr. Agnsw has, in his conversations with his pro- 
fessional brethren in this city, expressed the gravest 
doubts of the President's recovery from the first. 
Condition < f tlie President. 
Another day of agony has worn away, and 
the President, though moribund, stiil lives. 
His tenacity of life is remarkable, and will 
always be quoted as an evidence that he 
could have endured, in the early days of 
his injury, any operation whatever that 
might have been necessary to extract the 
ball and clean the wound. It is fifty-seven 
days since he was shot and nearly three 
weeks since he had any solid food; yet with 
all the serious complications that so greatly 
aggravate his danger he remains in a condi- 
tion that suggests hope to some observers, 
though he himself, it appears, wonders 
whether "it is worth while to continue the 
struggle." Hours, perhaps days, of this 
same slow agony are, however, before him, 
not to be illumined by any ray of hope. 
Another message of condolence and sympa- 
thy from Queen Victoria will be found in our 
despatches. "Are the symptoms all of a hopeful nature?** 
"Yes, there is an improvement in every symptom 
The gland has improves. It is discharging more 
freely, and the pus is of a more healthy character." 
••You think the President will continue to im- 
prove?" 
"I do most certainly. There is hope for final re- 
covery now." 
There is, and it is a bright hope-a very bright 
hope indeed. The Doctor said further that he did 
not expect any material change to-day except a con- 
tinued improvement, and that he believed the Presi- 
dent would get well. At the same time there were 
possibly new complications to arise. He could not 
give any reason for the change. 
ANOTHER OPERATION. . 
In the course of the forenoon the swollen parotid 
gland, which had been throbbing a little during the 
morning, betrayed a sign of softness near the right 
ear and below it, and it was decided to lance it. This 
was done. The incision made was a very small one, 
not more than one-eighth of an inch long and barely 
as deep. There followed a small discharge of pus 
that was regarded as quite healthy. The secretion 
would have broken itself had it not been lanced and 
broken outwardly. As a result of this operation, 
which is almost too trifling to be called by that 
name, the pulse went up a little, but soon fell again 
to 101, where it remained. 
DOCTORS ENCOURAGED. 
At noon the doctors were all more encouraged 
than ever. They spoke of the patient as having 
turned the corner to ultimate recovery. Dr. Boyn- 
ton, however, was not so sanguine. "Ee is not," 
saad he, "nearly so bad as he was yesterday. Neither 
is he progressed so far on the road to recovery as the 
reports now current might lead you to believe. 
Still it is indisputable that he is improving in every ' 
respect with a good prospect of continuing to jour- ! 
ney on the same way." 
Surgeon General Barnes also said he thought that 
the President had passed the great crisis success- 
fully. In the light of these hopeful opinions, which 
were circulated through the city, the noon bulletin 
was not so anxiously awaited. It told that there 
was no change since morning. 
WISHES TO SEE HIS DAUGHTER. 
After one o'clock. Dr. Bliss being in the room, the 
President asked if he could not with safety see his 
daughter. Dr. Bliss replied that there was no ob- 
jection that he knew of, and Miss Mollie was sent 
into the room. She went over to the bedside and 
kissed her father. He said to her, "And how is 
papa's little girl? She must help her mother when- 
ever she can." 
Miss Mollie said.she had not been able to do much, 
she had been staying at Colonel Rockwell's. The 
President then asked her about Harry aud Jimmie. 
She said that they were well. "I would like to see 
them," the President said, and accordingly she went 
out to find them aud Jimmie camo in. He only 
stayed a few minutes and then came away. Dr. 
Boynton taking the President's pulse at this time 
found it had, under the influence of the excitement 
of the visits, run up to 110. Accordingly Master 
Hf-rry, who had been called, delayed his visit until 
a more favorable time. 
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT'S CONDITION. 
In a conversation with Dr. Boynton to-night at 
eight o'clock I asked him what quantity of nu- 
tritious food the President had partaken of to-day. 
He replied that the patient took food every two 
hours during the night and day, and this was kept 
up with very fair regularity. He said that the food, 
consisting of milk porridge and beef tea, was 
alternated. For instance, the first two hours about 
a tablespoonful of milk porridge was given him, and 
the next two hours about two tablespoons of beef 
tea was administered. In answer to what the Presi- 
dent said of his situation and other matters, the 
Doctor stated that the President talks but very little; 
that he volunteers little conversation, but answers 
questions readily. In answer to a question to-day 
as to how he felt, the President replied that he was 
stronger than yesterday. 
OUT OF IMMEDIATE DANGER. 
"It the present favorable symptoms continue," 
NEW YORK HERALD 
| the past thirty hours his improvement has given ' 
1 great encouragement to the attending surgeons. He 
swallows an adequate supply of liquid food; the 
parotid swelling discharges freely and gives promise 
of marked improvement. His mind is perfectly 
clear. He has perhaps a little more fever than was 
anticipated and his respiration is somewhat above 
normal. The general feeling is one of hopefulness. 
Two or three days more of improvement will be I 
needed to inspire confidence. 
ELAINE, Secretary. i 
HISTORY OF THE DAY. 
Washington, August 28, 1881. 
Once more the President has rallied, but his con- 
dition remains for all that eminently critical. 
There is room for hope, and in every symptom there 
Is a perceptible change for the better, but he is not 
yet out of danger. He is weak and debilitated and 
there still exists every cause that brought him so 
low before, and none of them in any sense 
ameliorated. Not oven the most hopeful of 
his friends about him can say more than 
that, and Colonel Rockwell, who has never faltered 
in his belief that the President would get well, only 
says to-night, "There is a better chance for his re- 
covery than at any time during the last week, but 
we cannot disguise the fact that he is in a very pre- 
carious position. He may get up from his sick bed 
sooner than we thought. Let us be thankful for the 
blessing the Lord has given us and hope always for 
the best." 
DISTRUSTFUL OF GOOD NEWS. 
Last night, when the news spread over the city 
that the President had taken some solid food, a 
piece of toast dipped in lukewarm milk, and 
that his pulse was getting stronger, his 
temperature nearer a normal point, although 
the respiration was still high, it found little cre- 
dence. It did not seem possible that the man who 
•at midday was officially reported as being in that 
state of half stupor that precedes coma to be fol- 
lowed by death, could, eight hours later, throw the 
doctors' predictions to the wind, regain control of 
his mind, recall that he had a stomach, demand food 
to put in it, take that food with a relish saying that 
he felt better and would like to sleep a little, turn 
his head on his pillow and quietly go off to rest. But 
that is after all what the President has done, and from 
that hour there has not been a bad symptom apparent 
in any feature of his case. The pulse that beat at 
104 at midnight was at the same figure at six 
o'clock, at which time the President was reported 
by Dr. Rcyburn to be somewhat better. At eight 
o'clock the pulse was down to 100. 
DURING THE NIGHT. 
The night had been passed with a good degree ot 
comfort. The patient had coughed a good deal and 
raised from his throat a quantity of mucous matter 
which was secreted from the parotid gland. This 
mucous, however, was less tenacious and came away 
more easily than before. Although it was very 
troublesome, or rather annoying, it was not 
painful. Mrs. Garfield remained about the sick 
room until after midnight, when at her husband's 
earnest request she retired and slept till morning. 
By seven o'clock she was astir again, however, and 
busily engaged in preparing some food for her 
husband. This consisted of beef juice and gruel, 
both of which are cooked without the heat of fire, 
but by muriatic acid. Formerly this food was pre- 
pared at the army dispensary, but Mrs. Garfield 
being of the opinion that she could superintend 
that branch of the matter herself has always done 
so since then. 
THE MORNING EXAMINATION. 
By eight o'clock the morning examination had 
been made. Its showing astonished even the doc- 
tors, and, as a result, the morning bulletin was a 
more favorable one than any that has been issued for 
several days. It presented the fact that the Presi- 
dent had continued to take liquid nutriment, and 
the stimulating and nutrient enemata had been 
administered at intervals and had been retained. 
DR. BLISS' STATEMENT. 
Directly after this Dr. Bliss had replied toques- ; 
tions of a correspondent as follows :- 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, MONDAY. AUGUST :'9, 1881. 
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, ) 
Washington, August 28-8:30 A. M. J 
The amelioration of the President's symptoms 
announced in last evening's bulletins continued 
during the night, and since midnight some further 
improvement has been observed, the pulse pro- 
gressively diminishing in frequency. The stomach 
has continued to retain the liquid nourishment ad- 
ministered, and last night he asked for and ate a 
small quantity of milk toasts Stimulating and nu- 
trient enemata continue to be retained. ' There has 
been no mental disturbance during the night or 
this morning. At present his pulse is 100, temper- 
ature 98,4, respiration 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive mansion-12:30 P. M. 
At the morning dressing of the President several 
yellowish points were observed just below the ear. 
over the swollen parotid, and an incision being made 
about a teaspoonful of healthy looking pus escaped. 
There was also some discharge of pus through the 
two openings [into the ear and incision] mentioned 
In previous bulletins. The wound looks rather less 
Indolent than it has been doing for several days 
past. Since the morning bulletin there has been 
some rise of temperature, but little increase in the 
frequency of pulse, and in other respects no ma- 
terial change has occurred. Pulse 104, temperature 
89.5, respiration 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON, 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The improvement in the President's condition de- 
clared yesterday afternoon is still maintained. He 
continues to take willingly the liquid food given 
by the mouth and is apparently digesting it. The 
stimulants and nutrients given by enema are also 
retained. At the evening dressing an increased 
quantity of healthy looking pus was dis- 
charged from the suppurating parotid. The 
appearance of the wound has not perceptibly 
chanced since the morning dressing. But little 
rise in temperature or pulse Las taken place since 
noon, aud the pulse is perceptibly stronger than at 
this time yesterday. Pulse 110, temperature 99.7, 
respiration 20. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, FRANK H. HAMILTON. 
J. J. WOODWARD, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
SECRETARY BLAINE TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
Secretary Blaine at two o'clock this afternoon 
sent the following cablegram:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The favorable indications in the President's case 
have continued since the dosj^tch of last night. 
The respiration has grown better, and at this 
hour-two P. M.-is nearly normal. The condition 
of the swollen parotid has visibly improved. A 
slight increase of fever is observable, but was not 
unexpected. His mind continues clear. The pos- 
sibilities of recovery, in the judgment of his sur- 
geons, have increased and are increasing. 
BLAINE, Secretary. 
Executive Mansion, August 28, 1881. 
Secretary Blaine sent the following telegram to 
Minister Lowell to-night:- 
To Lowell, Minister, London;- 
The condition of the President at ten o'clock con- 
tinues as favorable as could be expected. Within said I, "howlong do you ihink it will be before the 
President is out of immediate danger?" 
"Jie is out of immediate danger now," promptly 
■ replied the Doctor. "I should say," he continued, 
"that the possibility of recovery yesterday had be- 
come a probability to-day." 
The Doctor also stated that he did not look for 
further abscesses to form. 
"Who opened the abscess this morning, and how 
was it performed?" I asked. 
"Dr. Hamilton opened it. When it was found 
| pointing out under the ear it was first opened with 
| a needle and the incision was afterward enlarged 
j with a knife." 
FAVORABLE CHANGES. 
"What outward favorable changes do you seo in 
the President's condition?" 
i "There is a marked change in his whole appear- 
ance, The pallor of his countenance yesterday and 
the day before has given way to a more natural 
color. His food is, no doubt, being better assimi. 
lated, giving him, of course, more strength. His 
face bears a more natnral expression. His pulse is 
of a better character." 
"Has the swelling of the gland receded any?" 
"The swelling has subsided some this evening. 
It is discharging pus more freely, and that is what 
wo wdnt it to do." 
"Is there any danger of it sloughing away?" 
"In my opinion the danger of sloughing is passed." 
"How often are the enemata now administered?" 
"As a rule, about four times every twenty-tour 
hours." 
"And the wound?" 
"The wound was looking better this morning. 
The discharge of pus was a little more satisfactory 
than yesterda^r in quantity, color and consistency. 
It always looks better in the morning than evening, 
and this evening it looks better than it did yester- 
day evening. Then, again, the granulations are 
brightening up somewhat. I will add that the Pres- 
ident had a natural passage from the bowels this 
morning, which is an unmistakable indication that 
his food is being better digested and assimilated, 
and in my judgment the blood poisoning is being 
pretty rapidly eliminated." 
PLEASANT SURPRISE IN WASHINGTON. 
As encouraging reports continued to come from 
tho White House this afternoon the excitement in 
the city began to die away. Everybody was hap- 
pily surprised at the new turn in affairs. And the 
fact that there was any recuperation at al! was taken 
as an omen of good and a sign of final recovery. 
The local papers issued extra editions all day, and 
the cries of tho newsboys on thestreet was heard from 
early morning till late at night. Every word of en- 
couragement that they published was justified by 
the reports of the physicians, who, in interviews as 
well as in their evening bulletin, repeated the 
cheering words of hope. The drowsiness of yester- 
day had disappeared, the mind was clear and the 
faculties under perfect control all day. 
GENERAL CONFIDENCE. 
I met Captain Henry in the executive offices to- 
day. He said that he felt almost sure that the 
President had passed the crisis. "I understand," 
he continued, "that is his own belief, and now 
he feels sure that "he is going to 
get well. His stomach has not had a 
qualm since last Sunday. I saw Mrs. Garfield this 
afternoon and she said she no longer had any fear. 
Everybody in the household feels the same way/' 
Captain Henry has just returned from Ohio. 
THE PRESIDENT'S MOTHEB. 
Yesterday he saw Mrs. Eliza Garfield. I asked him 
how she was; how did she bear up? "Nobly," was 
his answer. "Nevertheless, when I was with her at 
Hiram, some of the most discouraging news of the 
President that we have had was brought there. I 
could see how terribiy it affected her. She seems to 
have grown old since the shooting." 
"Is she hopeful?" I asked. 
"Yes; she has never lost her faith nor given way. 
But you can understand what a terrible strain all 
this has been upon her. Sho is regularly informed 
by the bulletin and by private messages of all that is 
going on." 
"It has been said that she was to come on to Wash- 
ington. I think you yourself said so to me before 
you left on this last trip to the West?" 
"I assumed that sbo was. It was spoken of. I do 
not know whether she will come or not if things 
get worse than they are. It is not, at any rate, ar- 
ranged that she will." 
A BRAVE WIFE. 
"Did you see much of Mrs. Garfield at the time 
that everybody gave up hope, yesterday afternoon?" : 
"Yes; she was as calm and self-possessed as she 
could be. I never saw a braver woman." 
In the afternoon Mrs. Garfield came out to take a 
ride. Sho was accompanied by her daughter, Miss 
Mollie, Colonel Rudolph and Colonel Rockwell, her 
brother-in-law. She looked cheerful afid happy. 
The carriage was an open one, and as she drove 
through the gates of the White Hquse the cr8wd 
recognized her and stood in respectful silence, un- 
covered, as she passed. She bowed in response to 
this salutation and drove on. The fact that she 
came out at all was regarded as the most cheering 
sign of the day. Her hopeful face and pleased man- 
ner were, naturally enough, the subject of remark 
and a new hope was thus created. 
AMONG THE BULLETIN THRONG. 
In the evening the bulletin throng that nightly 
gathers at the gate to the White House grounds 
waited for the official report. There was apparent 
none of that anxiety so marked on last evening, and 
when the report came out, as it did promptly on 
time, the reason of its absence was at once ap- 
parent. The only feature in the report that was 
regarded unfavorably was the rise of the pulse, 
temperature and respiration, the first from 104 to 
110, the second from 99.5 to 99.7 and the respiration 
from IS to 20. All of the doctors were at the Execu- 
tive Mansion, and the bulletin was issued after the 
wound had been dressed. 
THE WOUND. 
The wound was mentioned in this bulletin for the 
first time in two days. As a matter of fact, until to- 
day the wound has not been in a healthy state. 
For some time, indeed, its bad symptoms were ob- 
served just before the relapse. Granulation had 
ceased and, as was set forth in these despatches 
three days ago, the pus had pbangod from a natur- 
। ally healthy flow to a trickling, watery 
substance, rather offensive in its smell, 
and boding no good for the sufferer. It 
is true that the bulletin tells nothing of this, nor 
does to-night's bulletin say more than that the ap- 
pearance of the wound has not perceptibly changed 
since the morning dressing. As the morning bul- 
letin gives no information as to how the wound 
was doing then, the reference of to-night tells but 
little. It is known, however, that the healthy pus 
has made its appearance again, but in small quanti- 
ties, and this is deemed an extremely good sign. 
THE PAROTID GLAND. 
The parotid gland is in such a condition that 
Dr. Bliss is able to say that it is doubtful 
_ whether any more trouble will arise from it. The „ 
| blood poison, ho thinks, is being rapidly eliminated 
from the system, and as a result the food that is 
given assimilates better, and a better and purer 
blood is made to circulate in the veins and give new 
strength and vitality. "It," concludes Dr. Bliss, 
"we can hold the patient as he is now for a few days 
the road to recovery will be easy and the time 
short." 
CONTINUED HOPEFUL FEELING. 
The hopeful feeling that has prevailed during the 
day has not diminished to-night. The White House 
closed at the usual hour, and there are not the slight- 
est indications of anxiety. At ten o'clock Dr. Bliss 
said the febrile rise that was noted in the even- 
ing bulletin had subsided and the Presi- 
dent's pulse was 105. There is every indica- 
tion of his passing a favorable night. Shortly 
after ten the members of the Cabinet who 
were present during the evening departed for the 
night more hopeful of the President's ultimate re- 
covery, owing to the fact that a favorable day had 
been passed, and that is considered a gain in the 
patient's favor. While it is not thought that all 
cause for uneasiness has been dispelled yet a feeling 
of encouragement predominates. 
EXPRESSIONS FROM THE CABINET. 
Secretary Windom said:-"The situation is very 
encouraging. More so to-night than it has been for 
several days." 
Secretary Lincoln said:-"I cannot say that I think 
the crisis passed, yet we hope so. The indications 
are extremely favorable to-night." 
Secretary Hunt said:-"The gleam of hope that 
appeared yesterday has increased to-night, and I 
have every reason to feel encouraged and hopeful at 
the present outlook." 
Attorney General MacVeagh said:-"The doctors 
think the situation is more favorable than it was 
last night. The President has passed a good day, 
and our hopes brighten as the encouraging indica- 
tions continue." 
Postmaster General James said:-"The indications 
are very favorable to-night-more so than I had 
dared hope-yet it will not do to be too confident. 
We can only hope for the best." 
Secretary Blaine was asked if he thought the crisis 
had passed. 
•/Well, I will not say that, but we hope it has. 
You can see by my despatch how 1 feel to-night." 
"You consider the situation more favorable?" 
"Very much so, very much so." 
DR. EDSON MORE HOPEFUL. 
Dr. Susan Edson while absent from the Presi- 
dent's bedside for abrief while at midday spoke very 
encouragingly of his condition. 
"The hopeful signs I spoke of yesterday after- 
noon," she said, "have not waned in the least, and, 
while I cannot think for a moment the crisis is 
passed, there is much to strengthen the hope that if 
he can continue to hold his own a little longer there 
is a great chance for him yet." 
"How has the time passed to-day?" 
"Well, nothing occurred much out of the usual 
line to-day, unless it was the incision in the gland 
again. The President bore that quite as well as the 
first time it was operated on. I noticed this morn- 
ing that it seemed to indicate the gathering of pus 
some distance lower on the throat than the first in- 
cision, and spoke of it immediately to the phy- 
sicians. They at once agreed it would be best to 
liberate the pus." 
IMPROVEMENT IN HIS LOOKS. 
"Is the general improvement showing itself nruch 
in his looks?" 
"Yes. Since last evening he looks very much 
brighter, and he feels better, too, he says. He told 
me to-day that he felt better than any day since he 
became so weak." 
"Is the dressing of the wound distressing to 
him?" 
"He does not complain. Whenever the physicians 
speak of the location of the bullet during the dress- 
ing or refer to it in any way, he becomes deeply in- 
terested, and at once says when they touch the spot 
where it is, 'Yes, I think it is there, too. 
I can feel something there when you press 
your finger upon it.' He does not seem 
to experience much discomfort from either the bul- 
let wound nor the gland trouble now even-that is, 
while the gland has, perhaps, given him more pain 
than the wound ever did it has, since the favorable 
reaction of yesterday, become a little less inflamed." 
DESIRE FOR NOURISHMENT. 
"Does he display the least desire for nourishment 
or is he simply taking it because he knows it is 
best?" 
"Both. He seems to want it; takes it with an ad- 
ditional relish because Mrs. Garfield herself pre- 
pares all he wants now and is rather pleased with 
the variety he was given to-day-chicken broth, beef 
juice and peptonized milk. As far as the stomach is 
concerned there is decidedly a vast improvement. 
Mrs. Garfield prepares his food much richer than he 
has taken it at any time during his illness." 
"From your observations in the sick room the 
very air must seem different the days that hope pre- 
vails?" 
EVERYBODY RELIEVED. 
"It would seem so to an outsider, but day after day 
looks about the same in the room. I guess nobody can 
help showing it when hope rules the day, but all keep 
cheerful in the President's view, no matter how the 
case looks. To-day everybody looks relieved. Mrs. Garfield took a little rest through the day, and the 
President insisted on her taking a drive this even- 
ing. He knows she has missed it for several days 
now." 
"The President's condition must be a great relief 
to her after the wearing week just passed?" 
"Yes; she is entirely hopeful to-day for the best. 
Indeed she has been scarcely otherwise even during 
the worst hours. I think she feels the return of 
consciousness in the President an immense gain in 
his favor, and it is certainly a happy one to her. 
She felt terribly to hear him talking incoherently 
when she knew how much she had to say to him. 
She felt so much relieved at his bright locks and 
conscious tones that she said, T must talk to him 
about some private matters.' They talked a while 
together, and both appeared so happy after it-she 
so glad to see his mind again so active and he with 
the interest the subject called forth." 
"Well, then, you nave additional grounds for 
encouragement in every symptom?" 
"Yes; I feel to-day as if we were getting through 
the worst of it again. If there is but little gained 
there is no loss apparent. You would imagine that 
people would keep their opinions to themselves, at 
least so far as not bothering me with written com- 
munication about the case, by this time; but my daily 
mail is larger now than it was the first days after 
the shooting." 
CERTAIN HE WILL RECOVER. 
Dr. Hamilton left here on the night train for New 
York. On his way to the depot he stopped at a 
drug store near the White House and met District 
Attorney Corkhill, whom he told that he felt certain 
that the President will recover. 
AN EMINENT PHYSICIAN'S VIEWS. 
An eminent physician, who has carefully watched 
the President's case, says: - 
"The improvement to-day may be owing to two 
causes. It is either a happy reaction from the acute 
infection following resorption from the suppurating 
parotid gland, or the pressure exercised by it on the 
carotid artery which hugs it was relieved by resolu- 
tion or the pus discharge. It was through the per- 
sistent and heroic administration of concentrated 
food and stimulants that this effect chiefly resulted. 
But it leaves the President in precisely the same 
condition that be was in prior to the appearance of 
the glandular complication. 
THE REMOVAL OF THE BALL. 
"With a return of a more steady pulse, the Presi- 
dent's ability to partake of and assimilate food, and, 
above all, clearness of mind, the suppurative proc- 
ess in the neighborhood of the ball will probably be 
increased. This makes the subject of the removal 
of the ball again of paramount interest. If the 
President continues to make headway for a few days 
it ought to command the exclusive attention of the 
attending surgeons. It is the most important factor 
in the blood poisoning, and so long as it re- 
mains a recurrence of the glandular and 
other complications are almost inevitable. It is 
even possible, with the renewed activity of the tis- 
sues surrounding the ball, that an abscess may 
form in that locality and ultimately involve the ab- 
dominal cavity. Should such prove to be the fact 
fatal peritonitis .would be more than likely to fol- 
low. 
A TORTUOUS B0AD AHEAD. 
"Too much stress cannot be laid utxin the im- 
portance of removing the ball, or an incision, it 
necessary, to secure proper drainage. This same 
proposition was made in the Herald about three 
weeks ago. Of course to-day, compared with tho 
past few days of solicitude afid alarm, gives the 
President apparently some chances of recovery. 
But it is not safe to be over sanguine yet. There is 
a tortuous road ahead, with dangers on every side, 
in the patient's exhausted condition. The blood 
poisoning still exists, though in a modified form. 
'I he course of the pulse to-d^y would confirm this." 
A NOT SANGUINE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. 
Medical Director Thomas J. Turner, United States 
Navy, secretary of the National Board of Health, 
was asked to-night what bethought of the latest 
bulletins from the President. He said he could give 
no opinion as to the prospect, for, although the 
bulletin seemed encouraging, such rise and fall of 
a patient's condition was common in such cases. 
He had never been sanguine ot the President's recov- 
ery from the time the injury was first described 
to him by a surgeon who was present 
the Saturday the shooting occurred. He was 
not sanguine now, and thought it unlikely 
that there will be a recovery. While 
the bulletins appear to be carefully prepared it is 
almost impossible to form a definite opinion from 
them in a professional point of view, because the 
patient must be seen to do that. There are so many 
details to be observed to determine in one's mind 
professionally the real condition of the case. He 
thought that was what has made Dr. Bliss so posi- 
tive in his repeated assertion that the President 
will get well, and especially as the Doctor has had 
so large an experience in gunshot wounds. 
a friend's report of the president's condition. 
United States Marshal Henry, of the District of 
Columbia, who has been long and intimately 
acquainted with President Garfield and his family, 
telegraphed the following to the Cleveland Laxter 
to-night as his report of the President's case:- 
Executive Mansion-9 P. M. 
To Eriends in Ohio:-Once more hope takes the 
place of gloom. Every symptom during the past 
thirty-six hours has been favorable. First the 
President's mind began to clear up. It gradually 
became less cloudy and wandering, indicating a 
better action of the blood on the brain. 
The wouud that appeared to be at a stand- 
still for several days begins to look better. 
The voice that was a hoarse whisper and low moan 
ten days ago has again, except tor a little hollow- 
ness, become natural. The tongue that for weeks 
looked dry and feverish now looks moist and more 
healthy. The stomach is better, the pulse more 
regular, respiration easier and the discharge from 
the wound and swollen gland more free. The 
physicians look hopeful and cheery once more. As 
Dr. Hamilton expressed it, they are away from the 
breakers and afloat. They evidently feel a strong 
hope that the President will yet live. They have 
been astonished at the wonderful vitality of their 
patient. 
hope returned. 
Two days ago thej had no hope. To-night their 
hope is quite strong. Dr. Bliss told me confidently 
a few moments ago that the President would get 
well. Dr. Agnew thought the prospects for recovery 
were more even. Dr. Boynton is not so confident, 
but his hope is strong, and evidently based on the 
improved symptoms. Secretary Blaine and indeed 
ail the members of the Cabinet look and talk in 
more hopeful tones. I talked with Mrs. Garfield to- 
day, and received from her a full account of the 
events of the past few days of anxiety. She is still 
hopeful and cheerful. The doctors gave up hope on 
Friday and told her their fears. This most remark- 
able and womanly woman of this century braced 
them up, told them to do their best to the end, and 
with cheerful face kept her place at the bedside of 
her husband. The children saw their father to-day 
for the first time in many days. He inquired about 
them this morning and wanted to see thei$. Mollie 
soon entered the sick room, took his hand and 
kissed him, and in a cheerful voice hoped that papa 
would get weH soon. She held his hand a moment 
and said, 
"Papa, I will go out. I am afraid I may tire you." 
As she left the room he said, "The idea! that 
sweet child would never tire any one." 
Harry and Jim went in during the day and greeted 
their father in cheery tones, but soon left. He was 
too weak and wearv to talk or listen. 
the ninth week. 
The President has now fairly entered upon the 
ninth week of his terrible race with death. He has 
been almost constantly upon his back night and 
day for fifty-seven days. Occasionally he has been 
upon his right side for a few moments until the pain ' 
in his right ear prevented that change in position. 
Each day the fearful wound in his back, like 
Shylock, has demanded and taken its full pound of . 
flesh. His joints look large and his limbs small, I 
yet he can draw his legs up, move them about and 
rest them. He can to-day hold a glass of water and 
take it to his mouth. The great brain works natu- 
rally again; the iron resolution and will is restored; 
the heart beats more regularly; the skin appears 
better; the tongue that on Friday gave off flakes of 
canker is now moist and natural. The stomach 
takes nourishment more kindly and eagerly; vitality 
is slowly regained. The great soul that for days 
went into the shadow of death is still with us, and I 
do not believe the time has come for it to pass over 
the dark*biver. C. E. HENRY, 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 28-7 A. M. J 
Dr. Bliss feels much encouraged at the condition 
of the President this morning. He reports that his 
patient restsd quietly and slept considerably during 
| the night, and thinks the favorable symptoms of 
yesterday and the improved condition of last even- 
ing were fully maintained throughout the night. 
His pulse at this hour is about 104. 
Executive Mansion, August 28-10 A. M. 
The faint hope raised last evening by the rep : 
improvement in the President's condition . 
hardly expressed by the few who shared it tor fear 
I that a change for the worse would occur during the 
night so the unexpected announcement made by 
the physicians this morning that the President 
had held his own during the night and 
the favorable developments of the night as 
related in the morning bulletin caused a still more 
hopeful feeling to prevail at the Executive Mansion 
this morning. Dr. Bliss and General Swaim, both 
of whom were at^the President's bedside during 
most of the night, feel much encouraged at his 
condition this morning. Dr. Bliss thinks the favor- 
able symptoms ot yesterday and the improved con- 
dition of last evening were fully maintained 
throughout the night. 
Executive Mansion-11 A. M. 
Dr. Boynton, who has just come from the Presi- 
dent's room, reports that the favorable condition 
noted in the bulletin this morning still continues; 
that the President's pulse is better in character and 
much less frequent than yesterday, having ranged 
since the morning dressing at about 104. 
DB, BLISS HOPEFUL. 
Executive Mansion-12 3T. 
Dr. Bliss in an interview this forenoon said tha 
change since yesterday in the President's condition 
is sufficient to justify him in modifying the views 
then entertained by himself as to the extreme grav- 
ity of the crisis, and that he now entertains great 
hopes of the President's ultimate recovery. He said 
the pus discharged this morning both from the 
wound and from the openings in the parotid gland 
is improved in character, and that the quan- 
tity discharged from the latter had increased con- 
siderably since yesterday. While the parotid gland 
was in a progressive state, the President's symp- 
toms became more and more alarming; but now 
that the inflammation is subsiding his symptoms 
are steadily improving, and he thought it doubtful 
whether any further serious trouble would arise 
from the glandular swelling. 
Executive Mansion-11 P. M. 
Dr. Woodward reports at this hour that the Presi- 
dent's condition continues favorable. His tempera- 
ture has gone down since the evening ex<nination, 
but his pulse when last taken-about au hour ago- 
had not changed since the half-past six official bul- 
letin. It is not expected to fall much until after 
midnight. No unfavorable symptoms of any kind 
have been observed. 
»B. BLISS' STORY OF THE NIGHT. 
It was evident from the weary and careworn ex- 
pression of Dr. Bliss' face when he came out of the 
surgeons* room for the first timo early this morn- 
ing that he had passed an almost sleep- 
less night and that the great nervous strain 
of the past thirty-^ix hours had made its impres- 
sion even upon his tenacious and vigorous constitu- 
tion. lu conversation with a reporter he said that 
he had passed a very anxious night-not so 
much because he regarded the condition of the 
President as one of imminent danger, but 
because the slight improvement which had become 
apparent during the afternoon seemed to indicata 
that the patient was perhaps passing a crisis and 
called, therefore, for the closest watchfulness and 
the most assiduous care. After seeing the Presi- 
dent comfortably settled for the night he went, 
he said, to the surgeons' room and threw him- 
self on the couch to get a little rest, but he found it 
impossible to sleep withotit first satisfying himself 
with regard to the extent and significance of 
the patient's recent improvement. About twa 
o'clock one of the attendants called him and said 
that the President was awake. Upon going into tha 
sick room he found the slightly improved condition 
of the afternoon fully maintained. The patient 
seemed cheerful and better, his mind was perfectly 
clear and his pulse was steady at about 104. 
anxious watchers. 
The regular watches taken by General Swaim, 
Colonel Rockwell, Dr. Edson and Dr. Boynton were 
not maintained during the night, for the reason that 
these attendants were all too anxious to sleep and 
none of them were willing to be absent for any 
great length of time from the sick room. They w ere 
all present together therefore during most of the 
nignt. About five o'clock the President was again 
sponged all over with alcohol and water, and 
seemed to be greatly refreshed. His pulse 
had then fallen to 102. He rested quietly 
during the remainder of the early morning 
and at the half-past eight examination his pulse was 
found to be 100, with temperature and 
respiration normal. Mrs. Garfield, encour- 
aged by the President's evident improvement 
late Saturday evening, and wearied by previous 
watching went to bed before midnight and slept 
most of the night. She was in the sick room again, 
however, at five o'clock in the morning and sat fol 
awhile by her husband's bedside fanning him. 
FAVORABLE SYMPTOMS. 
After the appearance of the morning bulletin Dr< 
Bliss came out ot the surgeons' room again and 
sa>d that the President's symptoms were very favorable and indicated that he was 
in the way of recovery. Too much 
encouragement, however, should not, he thought, 
be drawn from the present favorable condition, 
because It was not yet certain -that it 
would be permanent. Dr. Hamilton, who came 
out shortly afterward, said that the '•patient's 
symptoms showed marked improvement. Dr. Boyn- 
ton, upon being asked by a reporter about ten 
o'clock whether he telt encouraged, replied:- 
"I feel not only encouraged, but very much-en- 
couraged." 
General Swaim, in answer to the same question, 
said:- 
"1 have been depending on-Garfield's pluck now 
for twenty-five yehrs, and I tell you he is going to 
get well." 
Soon afterward Attorney General MacVeagh en- 
tered the room of the President's private secretary, 
and was asked what he thought now of the Brest- 
dent's chances. He said:- 
"Never until to-day have I seen any reason ta 
change my belief that the blood poisoning which 
has existed since the first rigors was still active. I 
think, however, tlr.it there are indications that, the 
poison is being eliminated and I feel greatly en- 
couraged." 
COLONEL ROCKWELL SANGUINE. v 
About noon Colonel Rockwell, who is one of the 
most hopeful as well as one of the most unwearied 
of the President's attendants, said to a reporter that 
he could see no feature of the case which did not 
show some improvement. "Of course," he said, 
"we must admit that the situation is still very criti- 
cal, but let us take what the Lord sends us and hope 
for recovery." 
At one P. M. Colonel Corbin telegraphed a friend 
at Brighton Beach:- 
Dr. Hamilton says, "Wo are afloat, and off the 
breakers." 
Although the President's pulse and temperature 
rose slightly during the afternoon he continues ta 
do well, and at three o'clock General Swaim tele- 
graphed a friend:- 
The improvement in the President's condition is 
still maintained. All are hopeful-some confident. 
Condition of the President. 
If only the bullet were out! With such 
tenacity as the President has shown in this 
last rally of his failing vitality it may fairly 
be teemed that, with the main source of 
irrigation removed, he might have over- 
come almost any other obstacle to recovery. 
But the ball is still there, and there is con- 
sequently this difficulty in the way of any 
satisfactory faith in the recent ameliora- 
tion of his symptoms ; that as that 
great irritation and the constitutional 
condition that has resulted from it 
were sufficient to break him down in the 
days of his strength, they would be suffi- 
cient to break him down again if even he 
should come quite out of the desperate con- 
dition in which lie lay only a few hours 
since. But the change is scarcely sufficient 
to justify the hopes it excites. Besides, otner 
troubles are in store. One of the bulletins 
refers to the respiration as "frequent and 
otherwise abnormal." We are afraid this 
indicates the formation of a pyaemia 
abscess in the lungs which will do even 
more haim than the one in the parotid 
gland. With his wound open, wi h an iliac 
abscess of undefined dimensions, with pus 
in one of the knee joints, with a parotid ab- 
scess and some signs of disturbance in the 
lungs, we can hardly deemit as great encour- 
agement that a man in the President's con- 
dition yet responds very slightly to active 
stimulation. But if the ball were out per- 
haps a change even now might have some 
hopeful significance. NEW YORK HERALD 
weaker and more debilitated than ever. The 
one which was marked by rigor, and which 
occurred on the 28d of July, and after 
the President had been spoken of in the bulletins as 
convalescent, passed over, leaving the patient 
stronger than did the one of August 15, which in 
turn was less marked in its results than the one 
coming on the 20th ot August, and the one on the 
26th proves the worst of all. Thus each relapse in 
its efiects marks a regular progression iu the 
patient's debility after it has passed over. He never 
has been as well since the first relapse as he was be- 
fore it, and in his rallies he has never reached so 
favorable a stage of health as ho did on the rally 
fore. 
EFFECT OF EACH RELAPSE. 
Besides, every relapse is the date of a now compli- 
cation in the case, and in the last recovery there 
appear none of the favorable symptoms of the 
ithers. All they are able to say, even speaking in 
the most favorable terms, is that he is doiug well 
and improving. The reference to the previous re- 
lapses and the rallies that followed them is sug- 
gested by the tone of conversation one 
hears on every hand to-day. Everybody seems to 
have hope, but these relapses, each of them 
taking the President nearer the dark river, have 
shaken confidence in the often expressed belief that 
he will got well. This is the haven in the hope that 
finds such opulent expression everywhere, and 
whe» one hears there is an improvement let him re- 
member that much improvement will be needed to 
take the nation's patient beyond danger. 
DURING THE NIGHT. 
Last night the patient rested almost comfortably. 
He had good restful sleep at intervals, and the night 
being tolerably cool, after twelve o'clock he awoke 
near daybreak mneh refreshed and cheerful. When 
he opened his eyes hlB mind was as clear as a bell. 
He had perfect control of it, aud spoke to those 
about him in cheerful tones and with a voice from 
j which the hollow whisper of Saturday had quite 
disappeared. As one of his attendants said, he was 
was much more like himself than he had been for 
ten days. His neck, too, was better, and the cough- 
ing, or hawking and gagging, that have been for a 
week such a trouble and annoyance to the patient, 
disappeared almost altogether. His throat is by no 
means well, however, nor was there in the morning 
any reduction in the size of the swelling. 
NO TROUBLE WITH THE LUNGS. 
For some time the doctors have feared the forma- 
ation of an abscess in the lungs, aud at this morn- 
ing's examination the first thing they did was to see 
it any such trouble had developed Itself. They 
found there was none; that the respiratory murmur 
was clear and natural, aud there was not, as Dr. 
Bliss himself expressed it, "a single indication of an 
abnormal symptom." 
The report issued at half-past eight in the 
morning was a continuation of the good 
news of last night. His temperature was 
then normal, his pulse down to 100, and 
the respiration had fallen to 17. The unofficial re- 
ports made by the physicians were of the most en- 
couraging character. Dr. Agnew was quoted as say- 
ing to the Secretary of State that he thought the 
President had successfully passed the crisis. Dr. 
Boynton was encouraged to take the same view. 
Drs. Reyburn, Woodward and Barnes agreed, of 
course, with Dr. Bliss, who said the corner had been 
turned aud the read to recovery short and easy to 
travel, * 
UNFAVORABLE RUM0KS. 
During the night many rumors had got afloat as 
to new developments in the case. One was that, 
notwithstanding the favorable turn of affairs, the 
secondary or py®mic blood poisoning had shown 
itself so plainly as to admit of no doubt of its 
identity. This was stoutly denied. Dr. Boynton 
himself declaring that it was not so, and he has 
never since the beginning of the case either 
concealed any bad feature ot it, evaded a 
direct question or refused an opinion as to the 
President's exact condition. What he says is there- 
fore accepted here as the very best aud most ac- 
curate statements that come from the sick chamber. 
Ho also said that the President's lungs were all 
right and there were at the hour of speaking no new 
complications whatever. 
ENCOURAGING NEWS ALL DAY. 
Encouraging news continued to come from the 
White House all day. In its character it gave 
evidence of how much hope can do. The dress- 
ing of the parotid gland to-day showed that 
the pus discharged during the night was of 
better and more healthful character than since 
the suppurating process began there. It was 
also larger in quantity, thereby giving relief to the 
sufferer. Another gathering was found on the face 
near the prominent point ot the cheek bone. It was 
lanced by Dr. Bliss and gave iff quite a quantity of 
pus. The exudations from the wound were also 
found to be larger and, while not healthy by any 
means, of a better character-generally more 
healthy than on yesterday and on the earlier days 
of the week. The new incision in the face makes four 
openings through which the pus is drawn from the 
glandular swelling. One is in the ear, where it 
broke itself and from which comes the largest 
quantity of pus. The others are the original opera- 
tion on the side of the face, the one just described 
and the one made yesterday below the ear. 
FOOD ADMINISTERED. 
Mrs. Garfield was in the sick room early this 
morning and prepared the patient's breakfast. He 
took the beef juice as usual, and the enemata was 
continued. Later in the day ho ate just a little ot 
chicken broth and a morsel of toast, dipped in and 
softened by milk. The mi-.lday bulletin was issued 
promptly ou time. It was of a character to allay 
fear, although it reported that there had been no 
material change since morning. The pulse had 
crept up a little and the temperature had risen one- 
tenth. The bulletin was regarded with suspicion, 
though there is little or no excitement to-night. 
VISITORS AT THE WHITE HOUS^. 
C. O. Rockwell paid a visit to the sick room to- 
day. He said that the President gave him a warm 
grasp of the hand and asked in a cheerful voice about 
relatives and matters of family interest. Mr. Rock- 
well said he was surprised and pleased to see the 
President look so well. Among the visitors to-day were 
Register of the Treasury Bruce, Representatives 
Dez-ndort and LeFevre, General Wise, General 
Walker, John L. Thomas, Treasurer Gilfillan and, 
of course, all the members of the Cabinet. 
QUESTION OF REMOVAL. 
Now as the President seems to be improving the 
question ot his removal will come up again. It has, 
of course, not been spoken of yet, but it will be 
heard of in a few days. The Tallapoosa is now in 
New York and is under orders to proceed down the 
New England coast to the navy yards at Charlestown 
Mass., and Kittery, Me. She will have completed 
her errand, which is to deliver stores, by the end of 
the week and can reach here by the following Mon- 
day. It is thought that it the dreaded relapse does 
not come before and the rate ot progress the Presi- 
dent has made in two daysis continued that he can 
be moved by that tune. But in this matter there 
are so many contingencies to be considered that 
nothing will be done until what comes in the next 
tew days furnishes conditions upon which to act. 
THE DAY'S FINALE. 
The President's condition has not materially 
changed since the issuance of the evening bulletin 
except that the febrile rise which was noted in the 
evening bulletin hts subsided, and Dr. Bliss, at ten 
o'clock, said the President was resting quietly 
and his pulse was between 106 and 108. 
The Doctor also added that the rise in 
temperature this evening was undoubtedly caused 
by the extreme heat or the day. About five o'clock 
the cooling apparatus was again started, after being 
idle for the last two weeks. Soon after the evening 
dressing his temperature began to diminish and it 
is now normal. Outside the White House is re- 
markably quiet to-night. Private Secretary 
Brown usually waits until the Cabinet depart before 
he takes his final leave for the night. To-night, 
however, there was a noticeable change in this re- 
spect, and Mr. Brown left a few minutes before ten 
o'clock. Shortly after the wives of the Cabinet 
officers came down stairs, unaccompanied by their 
husbands, and got into their carriages and drove 
home. 
TALKING VIRGINIA POLITICS. 
The members of the Cabinet remained unusually 
late to-night. It was considerably after eleven be- 
fore they came down stairs. Inquiry regarding 
their late stay at the White House revealed the fact 
that Virginia politics had been under discussion. 
Secretary Blaine did the talking and the other mem- 
bets the listening. Ocacsioual'.y Senator Blair, 
who was present, and secretary Kirkwood 
would put in a suggestion or two and then Secre- 
tary Blaine would continue. Attorney General Mac- 
Veagh evidently took no interest iu the matter as 
he departed with the ladies. Several times the 
sleepy messenger would pop his head into the room 
ready to turn out the lights but still they talked on. 
Blaine stood in his customary position while speak- 
ing, with his hands upon his hips and spoke in such a 
loud voice that he could bo distinctly heard in the 
adjoining room. About twenty minutes past eleven 
the discus-ion ended iu the White House to be re- 
sumed on the sidewalk. They had very little to say 
regarding the President's condition. Their minds 
were evidently upon another subject. 
STATEMENTS OF CABINET OFFICEBS. 
Secretary Kirkwood said:-"Everything looks 
lovely. The crisis has evidently passed." 
Secretary Lincoln saidThe prospects bright- 
en every day the favorable symptoms continue." 
Secretary Windom said:-"1'he situation is very 
encouraging." 
Secretary Blaine said:-"There is nothing new to 
be said; the President is doing very well." 
Attorney General MacVeagh said:-"While the 
symptoms show that the heart, brain, kidneys, 
liver, lungs, and in fact.all the vital organs, are un- 
BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. 
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 
PROPRIETOR. 
NEW YORK, TUESDAY. AUGUST 30, 1881. 
|BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion, 1 
■Washington, August 29-8:30 A. M. j 
The President's symptoms this morning are as 
favorable as yesterday at the same hour. He slept, 
awakening at intervals, the greater part of the night. 
At these intervals he took and retained the liquid 
nourishment administered. His mind continues 
perfectly clear. Pulse, 100; temperature, 98.5; res- 
piration, 17. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW, 
» J. WOODWARD. 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-12 :30 P. M. 
At the morning dressing of the President an 
additional point of suppuration was recognized in 
his swollen face, which, being incised, gave exit to 
some healthy looking pus. The other openings 
on the exterior of the swelling are likewise dis- 
charging, but though less tense the tumefaction 
has not yet materially diminished in size. Nothing 
new has been observed in the condition of the 
wound. The usual daily rise of temperature has 
not yet occurred, and the general condition has not 
materially changed since morning. Pulse, 106; 
temperature, 98.6; respiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN. 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD, 
[Official.] 
Executive Mansion-6:30 P. M. 
The daily rise of the President's temperature be- 
gan later this afternoon than yesterday, but rose 
e'ght-tenths of a degree higher. The frequency of 
his pulse is now the same as at this hour yesterday. 
He has taken willingly the liquid food prescribed 
during the day and had, besides, during the morn- 
ing, a small piece of milk toast. At the evening 
dressing a pretty free discharge of healthy pus took 
place from the parotid swelling, which is piorcepti- 
bly diminishing in size. The wound manifests no 
material change. Pulse, 110; temperature, 100.5; 
Jespiration, 18. 
D. W. BLISS, ROBERT REYBURN, 
J. K. BARNES, D. HAYES AGNEW. 
J. J. WOODWARD. 
SECRETARY BLAINE TO MINISTER LOWELL. 
The following was sent this afternoon:- 
Lowell, Minister, London:- 
The President had a good night and is having a 
good day. At this hour, two P. M., his pulse is 103, 
showing a decrease from the forenoon. Eor many 
days past the pulse has shown a decided increase by 
this time in the afternoon. His respiration is nor- 
mal. All other symptoms are reported by his sur- 
geons to be favorable. BLAINE, Secretary. 
Executive Mansion, August 29,1881. 
Secretary Blaine sent the following telegram to 
Minister Lowell to-night:- 
To Lowell, Minister, London :- 
At half past ten to-night the general condition of 
the President is favorable. Late in the afternoon 
his pulse rose to 112 and his temperature to 100- 
both a little h'gher than the surgeons expected. 
Pulse has now fallen to 108 and fever is subsiding. 
The parotid swelling is steadily improving and is at 
last diminishing in size. Apprehensions of serious 
blood poisoning grow less every hour. 
BLAINE, Secretary, 
A FAVORABLE DAY. 
Washington, August 29, 1881. 
The President is better. That is the news of the 
day. It is heard on every side, and it is repeated 
from lip to lip with expressions of delight and satis- 
faction. It is the good news that is so easily and 
•oon told; but tne danger is not yet over. The 
President has come out of the last relapse Impaired, there is good reason for feeling hopeful. 
If the President's symptoms continue favorable 
until the end of the week and the swelling of the 
parotid gland shows signs of disappearing wo shall 
look for steady improvement. Of course while this 
parotid swelling remains in its present condition 
we must not look for fast recovery." 
Postmaster General James said:-"Well, of course 
it is a grave and serious case, but I think the Presi- 
dent has rounded the turning point, and his re- 
covery will be slow but sure. You know I have al- 
ways thought he would recover. You have heard 
what the Attorney General just said. He has al- 
ways taken a lawyer's logical view of the case from 
the beginning, and has been far from sanguine of a 
favorable result, so his present hopeful opinion en- ! 
courages metho more." 
Secretary Blaine, Postmaster General James and 
Senator Blair joined arms and walked out of the 
grounds talking on the same subject. The trio pro- 
ceeded up Fifteen and a Half street, past the Arllng- i 
ton Jiotel, till the corner of Vermont avenue and I 
street was reached. Here they halted, and Secretary 
Blaine settled himself for a night session speech to 
Air. James and Senator Blair, and the reaidents of 
that locality are now pretty well posted as to the I 
views of the Secretary of State upon the Mahone 
question in Virginia. 
PAST THE DEAD POINT. 
General Swaim compared the President's condi- 
tion to a wheel. He said:-"There is a dead point 
in every wheel and there it rests when the motive 
power is withdrawn. The wheel is off that dead 
poi Jt and is now turning, and as impetus is given 
it the faster it will revolve. The President's im- 
provement is uphill worn, and therefore slow in its 
progress." 
MBS. EDSON'S STATEMENT. 
Dr. Susan Edson, on leaving the White House 
early this evening for a short while before returning 
to spend the night at the President's bedside, spoke 
very cheeringly of the day's progress, or rather 
continuance of the good symptoms of the past two 
days. 
"Then nothing has happened to-day that weaken 
the hopes now raised for his recovery?" your cor- 
respondent queried. 
"On the contrary,'.' she answered, "it seems to me 
that everything strengthens the hope we have 
formed. He seemed to-day every way improved." 
"Does he speak himself of feeling better?" 
"Oh, yes, frequently. To-day he expressed him- 
self as feeling good, and when Dr. Bliss was getting 
ready to administer the usual enema he said to him, 
'No, it is not necessary.' The Doctor answered him, 
•Very well, you know best.' During the day he has 
taken nourishment with relish, particularly a small i 
piece of toast." 
THE INCISIONS OF THE GLAND. 
"Are the incisions in the gland painful?" 
"Well, no. The last two scarcely amount to more 
than pin pricking. I have no doubt he will nave a : 
good deal of annoyance from that gland yet. Au 
increased amount of pain from it would not be 
necessarily a bad symptom at all." 
. "Do you think that any more incisions will be 
necessary?" 
"I cannot tell. There may be, of course; but the 
incisions need be so slieht that they will not hurt 
him much. He never complains at all, though, one 
way or the other. The gland is, of course, very 
sensitive to the touch, and will undoubtedly remain 
so for a long time. It is not a very pleasant pros- 
pect for him to look forward to, no matter how 
slight these incisions are, but I hardly think 
there will be much more in th it direction. At least 
I hope not, for he can hardly afford to lose any 
strength just now." 
THE VISIT FBOM THE BOYS. 
"The President enjoyed a visit from the boys yes- 
terday?" , 
"Yes; James came in first, and sat and talked 
quite a while with his father, who bade him to send 
Harry in too. Mollie had a little chat with him dur- 
ing the day. He joked about her arm being tied up. 
Mollie has slightly sprained a sinew at the wrist, 
and to keep from using her hand at all keeps the 
arm alwayJ*in a sling by the physician's order, and 
will do so lor sometime yet. Between these little vis- 
its the Sunday morning, after all, was rather a pleas- 
ant one for the sufferer. Mrs. Garfield did not leave 
' the bedside at all, but she had become so 
! nervous and weak from the suppressed excitement 
' ot the past days that we insisted on her taking a 
drive. She returned much benefited and it pleased 
the President so much to notice her bright face 
when she came in again to the room." 
"Has he slept much during the day or is that re- 
garded as a good sign ?" 
"Yes, he has had very good naps to-day. So long 
as the sleep is natural, not forced nor the rest from 
exhaustion. Nature's remedy is what he wants 
now. Possibly to-morrow he will be able to take a 
little solid food. If so, and it agrees with him, that 
will be a long step ahead. I expect an easy, quiet 
night of it to-night, as it is my turn to keep watch." 
DB. BOYNTON'S STATEMENT. 
Your correspondent saw Dr. Boynton to-night. 
The Doctor reassured me that "the improvement in- 
augurated two days ago has been maintained 
throughout the day and night, with a slight in- 
crease in strength and a better character of pulse; 
that the glandular trouble had also been doing 
better, showing a diminution in size, accompanied 
by a larger and freer flow of pus through 
the incisions and the opening iu the ear. 
In speaking near the bedside I remarked that 
it would be well to have an additional supply of 
towels on the table. Colonel Rockwell thereupon 
said:-'Yes; you should have a new supply pur- 
chased.' At this the President looked toward 
Colonel Rockwell and iu a clear and comparatively 
strong voice said, 'You are the man, sir, to see to 
it.' I suppose you understand that Colonel Rock- 
well is in charge of the public buildings aud grounds 
of the District of Columbia, aud his office provides 
the White House with supplies of the character re- 
ferred to." 
ONE OF SISTER MART'S DINNERS. 
"What does the President say to Mrs. Garfield?" 
"Mrs. Garfield was sitting at the bedside to-day 
about the hour milk porridge is given the patient. 
She asked him if there was anything he would like 
better than the perFridge. He nodded his head in as- 
sent. She then requested him to tell her what it 
should be, but he fell into a doze before answering. 
Soon afterward, placing her hand on his forehead, 
she again requested the President to inform her 
what he desired in lieu of the porridge. He awoke 
and said, 'One of Sister Mary's dinners."' 
WHAT THE PRESIDENT EATS. 
"Is the President developing strength rapidly?" 
"Well, there is no great change, but all is going 
well. His improvement is necessarily slow, but 
perfectly satisfactory. Although the parotid swell- 
ing is sore it is not very painful. He takes fully 
six tablespooutuls of porridge and from three to 
four tablespoontuls of beef tea alternating every 
two hours day and night. I so informed 
you last night, but 1 notice in to-day's 
Herald that it is stated a tablespoonful 
of 'milk porridge and about two tablespoonfuls of 
beef tea.' I would thank you to make this correc- 
tion, as otherwise it conveys to the country the im- 
pression that the President is partaking of very 
little nourishment, when the fact is he is receiving 
and assimiliting a very fair quantity. I know it 
was a typographical or a telegraphic error, for I was 
particular to listen to this part of my interview 
wheu you read it back to me." 
CASES OF BLOOD POISONING. 
In conversation with an eminent medical authority 
to-day he referred to the condition ot the President 
as suffering from pyemia or septictemia, and from 
some notes he had made gave some interesting and 
apposite facts. He said that in transactions of the 
Pathological Society of London for 1879 is the report 
of the committee appointed to investigate the nature 
and cases of py»mia and septicaemia. This report 
is based upon several hundred cases of the disease 
in the various London hospitals in the years 1869- 
1878. Several of the cases are ot interest in con- 
nection with that of the President as showing 
for how long a time the patient can live, with symp. 
toms even more severe than in the present case. 
One of the striking cases is that of a man suddenly 
attacked with rigor, there being no wound or any 
focus ot suppuration to account for the disease. 
The patient lived for seventy days, having frequent 
rigors and a cough, with no more rapid pulse than 
114 recorded. A few days before death he was de- 
lirious at night and finally became so all the time. 
Autopsy showed weh marked signs of the disease in 
the lungs and other viscera. 
In another, case where the blood poisoning was 
due to an iliac abscess, the precise region of the , 
body where the bullet is supposed to be in the Presi- 
dent, the patient laid for two mouths. 
An interesting case is that of a man suffering from 
a simple fracture of the leg. The injury was received 
in the latter part of October, progressed unfavorably 
and at the end of two mouths it was necessary to 
amputate the leg. Four weeks later, nearly three 
months after the original injury, there was a slight 
rigor followed by progressive emaciation, loss 
of strength with temperature never higher 
than 102. After death, four months after 
the original injury, an autopsy revealed 
well marked signs of blood poisoning. Again, six- 
teen days after an amputation of a foot, a rigor was 
noticed, the patient gradually sank, abscesses formed 
in different parts of the body ; progressive emacia- 
tion and increasing weakness; temperature steady, 
about 103; patient died on the sixty-second day after 
the symptoms of blood poisoning appeared. And 
what is quite noticeable, rigors were observed on 
only two days-the first on the fifty-second day 
before death, and the next on the third, there being 
an interval of forty-nine days between the rigors. 
In this case, as well as the others men- 
tioned above, post-mortem examination revealed 
the usual appearances of the disease. Again, in 
a man forty-seven years of age, of good health, a 
slight operation was performed. On the second day 
several rigors were observed; after that none re- 
corded. There was occasional vomiting, progressive I 
emaciation and cough; temperature in the morning, 
98 4-10. Throughout whole jcourse of disease 
there was a regular evening rise never higher than 
103 1-16. Patient died after thirty days and the 
; usual post-mortem appearances were found. These 
cases, continued my informant, are selected from 
many of chronic s-pticaemia of a similar nature 
which have run their courses in from thirty to 
seventy days, with a temperature about normal iu 
the morning and an average rise two or three degrees. 
The high temperatures were linked always with the 
acute cases. / , 
UNOFFICIAL BULLETINS. 
Executive Mansion, 1 
Washington, August 29-7 A. M. j 
Information just received from the physicians 
room is to the effect that the President held his owi 
during the night and that the favorable symptoms 
previously noted still continue. His fever subsided 
about midnight. He passed a good night, resting 
and sleeping well. 
Executive Mansion--!! A. M. 
At the morning dressing of the President's wounds 
the parotid swelling was found to hive diminished 
sensibly in size since yesterday morning. There 
had been a plentiful discharge of pus during the 
night from the three openings. Another yellow 
spot was discovered on the side of the face this 
morning, which, when pricked, permitted a 
free discharge of pus from another pus 
pocket. The wound in his body was 
found to be doing well. It stdl continues 
to discharge freely. The character of the 
pus discharged has not changed materially since 
yesterday, but is thicker and healthier in character 
than what flowed from the wound a few days since. 
While dressing and cleansing the wound this morn- 
ing the cleansing catheter entered to a depth oi fully 
twelve inches. 
Dr. Boynton, who was in the sick room the greater 
part of last night, says the President passed a good 
night, sleeping the most of the time. His sleep was 
more natural than that of any night duiing the past 
week. During the intervals of wakefulness his 
mind was perfectly clear. 
••HOW MANY MOUE STATIONS." 
Once, about two A. M., wheu awake and while 
taking some nourishment, he remarked to Dr. 
Boynton, evidently referring to his several re- 
lapses:- 
"1 wonder how many more stations I will have to 
stop at." 
Dr. Boynton says the President looks better and 
feels better this morning. The Doctor's hope is 
strengthened this morning owing to the fact that the 
President has held his own through another day 
and night. He will feel content and satisfied with a 
continuance of this stationary period for a few days; 
after that he hopes the work of repair and recupera- 
tion will commence. 
Executive Mansion-12:15 P. M. 
There was a rumor afloat this morning that an 
examination had been made of the President's lungs, 
and that unmistakable evidence in the shape of pus 
accumulation had been discovered of the second- 
ary or pyaemic stage of blood poisoning. In reply 
to questions asked by a reporter at noon Dr. Key- 
burn said:- 
"Since the President's condition became so low 
we have examined his lungs carefully every day, and 
have always found them healthy. The report that 
pus cavities kava formed there is entirely without 
foundation." 
Dr. Boynton upon being questioned with regard 
to the same subject said:-"1 made an examination 
of the President's lungs myself last night and 
found them all right. There are no new complica- 
tions whatever in the President's case, and no un- 
favorable features which are not already known. 
Ite continues to do well.'" 
Executive Mansion-2:30 P. M. 
In an interview with a reporter at twenty-five 
minutes past two P. M. Dr. Bliss said that the Presi- 
। dent is going along much more evenly to-day than 
yesterday. The extreme range of his pulse since 
morning has not exceeded six degrees, and is now 
from 102 to 104. The pulse is also fuller and 
stronger in character. Yesterday at this hour the 
patient had a little lever. To-day he has none. 
In reply to questions with regard to the reported 
accumulation of pus in the lungs Dr. Bliss said:- 
"We have examined the lungs every day and they 
have always been and are now in perfect condition. 
The respiratory murmur this morning was clear 
and natural and there was not a single indication of 
any abdominal symptom." 
ABSURD STORIES DENIED. 
The Doctor was then questioned with regard to the 
reported existence of pus in the knee joint. "Who 
invents these absurd stories!" he inquired. "There 
is no pus iu the knee joint or anywhere else except 
in the wound and the gland. Pus could not form 
■nd be retained without at once affecting the pulse 
and temperature," 
"What is the condition of the glandular swelling?" 
asked the reporter. "Has it decreased any in size?' 
"it has. The outline of the gland is now percep- 
tible and it is discharging freely. We took out at 
hast a teaspoonful ot pus this morning." 
"Does the patient continue to take food well?" 
"Perfectly. He had some chicken broth to-day 
and another piece of milk toast and seemed to enjoy 
and relish them both." 
"Do you think he is better to-day than at the same 
hour yesterday?" 
"I certainly do. His progress to-day has been 
much more even than yesterday. The expression of 
bis lace and the character of his pulse have further 
improved and he has thus far had no tever whatever. 
His present condition is more favorable than at this 
hour yesterday." 
Executive Mansion-4 P. M. 
The President's condition continues as favorable 
as when last reported upon. Mrs. Garfield was met 
a few moments since iu one ot the corridors, and 
when asked how the President was now replied 
pleasantly, "Everything is going along nicely." 
Executive Mansion-5 P. M. 
Dr. Boynton camo from the sick room a short 
time since, and in reply to a question said ihe Presi- 
dent was improving and all were now'hopeful of his 
ultimate recovery. He was quickly followed by Dr. 
Bliss, who said that everything was very promising* 
"The President's pulse," said Dr. Bliss, "is now 104*, 
and is as soft and natural as could be desired. He 
is sleeping quietly. His skin is moist aud his face 
looks bright and pleasant." 
"You regard this recent change as one of the most 
mira ulous in the history ot surgery, 1 dare say " 
observed the reporter. 
"Yes. sir. He went down as near to death's door 
on Saturday as ever 1 expect to see a man go with- 
out dying. But since then he lias picked up mar- 
velloi^sly. I consider that he has now reached a 
point where he enters upon the plane of con vales- 
cence, and if no new complications arise you will 
be surprised by the rapidity with which repair will 
go on iu his system. 
Executive Mansion-6:20 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss reports ai this hour that the result of 
the evening examination is highly satisfactory. The 
febrile rise did not begin until about a quarter past 
four this afternoou, aud although the temperature [ 
aud pulse are a little higher than last night-the I 
former being above 100 aud the latter 110-the 
tact is accounted for by the presence of a consider- 
able accumulation of pus in the glandular swelling. which was removed at the evening dressing. The 
gland looks much better to-night than at Lny tiin> 
since it became a dangerous feature of the case. The 
wound is also doing extremely well, the processor 
granulation having recommenced. The patient's 
general condition is still further improved. 
Dr. Baxter is reported to have said to a friend this 
afternoon that if the President's stomach holds out 
and if he is properly cared for he will probably re- 
cover. 
Executive Man-ion-8:15 P. M. 
The evening bulletin is generally accepted here as 
a confirmation ot the hopes of the day. The pa- 
tient's fever, which was a little higher to-night than 
last night, has begun to subside and all his symp- 
toms continue to be satisfactory. Dr. Agnew, as he 
left the mansion to-night, was asked by a reporter 
what he thought ot the bulletin. 
"I think," ne said, "that it is a very fair and ac- 
curate statement of the President's condition." 
"And what view do you take of the condition?" 
"There is nothing untavorable about it at all." 
Executive Mansion-9:15 P. M. 
Dr. Bliss reports at this hour that the President's 
fever has subsided and that "everything is going 
along nicely and smoothly." 
They were generally disappointed. Nothing but 
good news filled tho long Washington despatches 
and there was a great but quiet gladness round every 
breakfast table in the city. Leaving their homes 
for their places of business men talked of 
nothing but the unexpected turn in the 
tide ot their former despair. Stages and street 
cars and elevated trains, ferry boats and railway 
coaches bringing people into the city, were all the 
forums of debate over the good tidings. There 
was a firm confidence in many a heart in the Presi- 
dent's final recovery and hope in all. Subsequently 
there was a rush to the most convenient places in 
town for the acquisition of tho first morning an- 
nouncement from the capital. 
STEADILY FOKWABD. 
Again came the secret dread ot seeing something 
on the bulletins to indicate a reaction, but again the 
patient proved true to the popular hopes and sho wed 
continued improvement. The medical manifesto of 
eight o'clock was early displayed on the bulletin ot 
the Evening Telegram and thence transcribed for the 
benefit of readers in a hundred different parts of the 
city. It declared that the President's symptoms 
were as favorable as they had been at a corresponding 
hour of Sunday. This was as much as the general 
reader expected from one who had been so near 
death's door and must necessarily be so much re- 
duced in strength. Other despatches of an unofficial 
nature-and on which perhaps, aster all, the public 
place the greatest reliance-went to confirm the 
favorable appearance of things and to prove a re- 
newed and increasing confidence in the opinion of 
those nearest the sick room. "Oh, what 
a spree I'll go on if he gets well," 
said one ot the throng in front of the 
Telegram bulletin, and he did not look much like a 
man tor a spree either. But this was the leel ng 
that spread over the whole populace with the nearer 
prospect of the President's release from death. 
There will be such a celebration, if that event be 
in store, as might bring all the old Knicker- 
bockers out of their honored graves. "They 
were talking ot an extra Fourth if Gar- 
field got well," said an enthusiast yesterday; 
"but we will get up a Fourth, a Thanksgiving, 
Christmas and New Year's all rolled into one!" Said 
another person who heard him, "Not so fast-not so 
fast-the President is only better. He is not well 
yet by a long run. We thought he was dying two 
days ago and now. because we were mistaken, we 
think him out of danger." And so the sentiment of 
the people ran, the exuberance of some checked by 
the afterthought of others. 
TWO CUBBENTS OF THOUGHT. 
The upper current of thought in the community 
is inclined to beconfident of the patient's final vic- 
tory. This current was strong through many weeks 
of the early illness, but it was dammed up com- 
pletely by the worse and worse news that the tele- 
graph brought in the last three days of the 
preceding week. With the unexpectedly better 
news of Saturday night and Sunday morn- 
ing the current rose clear above its ob- 
struction, and yesterday it was pouring 
along with less resistance than ever before. 
Why not? The President's release from death on 
Saturday night was almost nnraculous. Ha had 
mauilested a strength of body and mind of which 
he was thought to be no longer capable. At the last 
moment he had wrested a victory from his grim ad- 
versary and astonished even his physicians. Why 
not be confident? A crisis so severe as the last is 
not likely to recur. That must have been the turn- 
ing point; and any how we can lose nothing by con- 
fidence and may gain much. This on the one hand. 
On the other a distressing recollection that the 
terrible missile was yet in the President's body, with 
all its poisonous power and uncertain effects. This 
was tho undercurrent of public thought. Let us 
wait and see. Tho bullet is not even located to a 
certainty. Its extraction may be attended with 
greater dangers than have yet been encountered. 
Even were the trouble with the parotid gland left 
behind there is the wound to bo dealt with, 
and that alone was considered a serious mat- 
ter enough before the swelling of the gland was 
developed. The stomach, too, has not regained 
much of its strength, and until that has returned to 
its almost normal condition there can be no cer- 
ta nty of the patient's general improvement. Wait 
and see-and hope quietly. 
AFTERNOON DESPATCHES. 
The noon official bulletin was as non-committal as 
usual, but it contained one or two hopeful indica- 
tions. There had been a discharge of healthy-look- 
iug pus from another incision near the gland, and 
the usual daily rise in temperature had not yet oc- 
curred. In other despatches, as in the published in- 
terviews with Dr. Hamilton, some stories of new 
ills developed were flatly contradicted, and, in fact, 
there was nothing to check the growing confidence 
of the people rt this hour of the day. Late in the 
afternoon there came word from Washington 
of no change for the worse, and when people 
went to thevr homes last evening it was with 
happy confidence in the end. Tho physicians had 
predicted that if he held his own for two or three 
days more another advance might be looked for, 
and the developments of this interim will be 
awaited with brighter anticipations than have char- 
acterized the public mind for some time past. In- 
deed, one does not need to read the newspapers or 
the newsboards to learn that tueir contents are ot a 
cheering sort. It may be seen in individual faces 
and in the general look of gladness which pervades 
tire city. 
A MULTIPLICATION OF BULLETINS. 
During the time of the latest crisis in the Pres- 
ident's condition there was so much desire to follow 
the details of what was progressing in Washington 
that bulletins of some sort became a necessity in 
every part of the city. Business was interrupted, and 
for the general convenience a system grew in 
vogue of despatching messengers to the newspa- 
per or telegraph offices for copies of the latest 
despatches and putting them up in places where 
they would be conspicuous. Let any oue walK 
along Broadway or Church street in the busy part 
of the day, and at every block or two he will come 
across a group of people perusing some piece of 
recent news placarded on some wall or 
in some window. Almost every eating house, 
saloon, or tobacco store in a prominent 
locality will have something posted up 
to satisfy the general thirst for information. The 
large hotels have copies of despatches on their coun- 
ters, the large telegraph offices have bulletin boards 
after the manner of the newspapers, and the large 
private business houses are imitating the contagious 
example. It would be hard, indeed, to get into any 
part of Gotham where some recent tidings from the 
capital could uot be obtained. 
WHAT DB. HAMILTON SAYS ENCOUBAGING 
WOBD AS TO THE PRESIDENT'S CASE-SUF- 
FERING FROM INDIGESTION AND PERHAPS 
FROM SEPTICEMIA, BUT NO INDICATION OF 
PYEMIA. 
Dr. Frank H. Hamilton, on his return from Wash- 
ington yesterday morning, gave hie views briefly on 
the President's case to a Hekald reporter, the 
Doctor appearing quite cheerful, but evidently 
much fatigued. 
'•What do you think of the President's chances of 
recovery now. Doctor?" 
'•They are much more favorable than they have 
been," he replied, in a quiet, reserved way which is 
peculiar to him. 
"Can you explain to mefrom what indications you 
think so?" 
••That I have never told any one-why I think so. 
It would lead to a too long discussion of the varied 
aspects of the case. The tout ensemble of the Presi- 
dent's symptoms present a better outlook, which is 
encouraging. That Is all I can say now." 
•'By the way, have you seen the morning bulletin?" 
••Yes," was the reply to the Doctor's query, and 
the Doctor was shown an •'extra" containing the 
morning bulletin. 
"That looks well," said he, "although I see my 
name appears under it by mistake. 1 was not there, 
however." 
"Do yon still adhere to the opinion. Doctor, that 
the President is uot suffering from pyaamia?" 
"Yes. Isee no evidence ot pytemia, though I think 
he may have septiciemia. I am not certain about 
that." 
"But, is his blood not poisoned, and if so, does 
the poisoning not come from the pus from the 
wound?" 
"No." 
••What, then, is the trouble with the President?" 
"He is very feeble, suffers greatly from indiges- 
tion and perhaps from aepticsmia." 
"is there any truth in the stories ot new compli- 
cations in the lungs and accumulations of pus in 
the knee joints?" 
"None whatever; those reports have been wholly 
erroneous." 
"What, then, is likely to be the further progress 
of the case I" 
"Very slowly toward recovery is what I hope and 
expect, unless new and grave complications should 
arise." 
"It is claimed that the present recovery can have 
no permanent value while the ball is in the body- 
what do you say about that, Doctor?" 
"I don't know how to exactly estimate the danger 
o£ the ball's presence, but it seems to cause no 
trouble now. It is not apparent to us that the pus 
comes from the resting place of the ball; indeed, 
there is strong negative evidence of the contrary." 
"Then, why is the formation ot matter being per- 
petuated?" 
••Well, perhaps the system is too feeble to repair 
and close the channels of the abscess. Even il ihe 
ball had been removed it is possible that all these 
complications might have ensued." 
"Ou Friday and Saturday, when the President was 
thought to be in so perilous a condition, did you 
give him up, Doctor?" 
"No, certainly not; I have never given him up." 
"And now you feel confident that he will recover, 
Doctor?" 
"I cannot say absolutely that he will, but I ex- 
pect him to." 
"And if he remains for some time in statu quo, 
without any material change, is that so much loss 
or so much gain?" 
"We generally regards stationary condition in med- 
icine as so much gam. A lull generally implies tuat 
the wind will next time probably blow the other 
way." 
"Do you consider you have mastered the parotid 
gland difficulty ?" 
"We are mastering it and the swelling is being re- 
duced. The whole case now looks mote encouraging 
to me than at any time since I have seen the Presi- 
dent." 
Condition of the President. 
The official bulletins of the President's 
physicians till day yesterday and last night 
were of a favorable character, and the gen- 
eral opinion seems to be that unless fresh 
complications arise the chances of ultimate 
recovery are good. All of their statements, 
| however, are exceedingly guarded, and 
i it is evident that the dis inguished 
j patient is not yet out of danger. The 
j condition of the stomach has greatly im- 
proved, while pulse and temperature give 
equally favorable indications of healthy ac- 
tivity. Dr. Hamilton, who has returned to 
the city, possesses considerable confidence in 
the ability <of the President to pull through. 
The bullet, he says, causes no trouble now; 
but he is reticent as to what it may or may 
not do in the future.