EXECUTIVE MANSION,
July 24, 1881.
8.30 A. M.
The President was more restless than usual during the night, and had another rigor just before midnight. This morning, at 8.15, his pulse was 98; temperature, 98.4°; respiration, 18. A consultation was then held with Dr. HAMILTON, of New York, and Dr. AGNEW, of Philadelphia, after which a counter-opening was made through the integument of the back, about three inches below the wound, which, it is hoped, will facilitate the drainage of pus and increase the chances of recovery. The President bore the operation well, and his pulse is now 112.
D. W. BLISS,
J. K. BARNES,
J. J. WOODWARD,
ROBT. REYBURN.
This post is one of a series reenacting the official bulletins released to the public by the physicians to President Garfield during his illness after the shooting on July 2, 1881.
Wow, this is cringe-inducing. This is a wonderful series of posts, but they really make you realize how much President Garfield suffered between his shooting and death and how much of that suffering was due to poor medical treatment (even by 1881 standards).