Wasn’t Alexander Graham Bell working an his invention of a metal detector to try and exactly locate the bullet in Garfield’s body?

(05-30-2019 05:15 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Wasn’t Alexander Graham Bell working an his invention of a metal detector to try and exactly locate the bullet in Garfield’s body?

It was an early version of a combination of an x-ray and metal detector, which worked just fine, except the people using it forgot about the metal springs in the mattress, which gave them false readings.

(05-29-2019 04:38 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Oh my, Bill!

Anita...go figure...I found a page that says, "Garfield’s personal physician, Dr. Jedediah Hyde Baxter, was visiting friends in Pennsylvania at the time Garfield was shot." It's amazing how different the various sources are!

https://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2013/...s-doctors/

Despite what I have read in several different sources, I cannot figure out the real reason Robert Lincoln called for Doctor Bliss.

It's a mystery why Robert called for Bliss. Here's a link from Fred Rosen's book.
NYPost.com/2016/09/22/the-inept-doctor-who-killed-president-garfield/

Roger, from what I have pieced together from various sources, Dr. Susan Edson was Mrs. Garfield's personal physician and family physician. Dr. Baxter had been Garfield's personal physician for 5 years at the time of the shooting but was in PA when it happened. Lucrecia called in her cousin Dr. Boynton and Susan Edson the next day. When Baxter arrived Bliss, who had taken complete control of the case ,refused to let him see Garfield.

(05-30-2019 08:13 AM)wpbinzel Wrote:  

(05-30-2019 05:15 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Wasn’t Alexander Graham Bell working an his invention of a metal detector to try and exactly locate the bullet in Garfield’s body?

It was an early version of a combination of an x-ray and metal detector, which worked just fine, except the people using it forgot about the metal springs in the mattress, which gave them false readings.

A serious oversight! Regrettably. Otherwise, maybe Garfield might have stood a chance at surviving.

(05-30-2019 11:48 AM)Anita Wrote:  It's a mystery why Robert called for Bliss.

I totally agree with you.

I disagree with journalist Fred Rosen when he writes that Doctor Bliss was ever at the Petersen House. One of the absolute best sources of who came to the Petersen House is W. Emerson Reck's Abraham Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours. There is no mention whatsoever of Bliss ever coming to the Petersen House. Even if Bliss were sent for by Dr. Leale, no eyewitness (that I know of) ever saw him show up. I say this despite some sources saying he was there.

I think the idea that Robert Lincoln called for Bliss because he was at the Petersen House is wrong, plain and simple; even Robert himself said he summoned Bliss because he thought Bliss was Garfield's personal physician (which seems to be incorrect, but that is what Robert claimed in a letter to his friend, Norman Williams). There is no mention of Robert remembering Bliss from being at the deathbed of his father. IMO, some writers have put thoughts into Robert's head that did not exist.

Why Robert called for Bliss is indeed a mystery.

I like the idea that Dr Bliss first name was 'Doctor'. As a result, I have been reminded of part of a Fawlty Towers episode (the Youtube at the end of this post runs for about 50 seconds).

I also see that Dr Bliss tried to charge the US Govt for his "services" the equivalent of half a million dollars in 2018 money... but was offered 6,500 equivalent to 2018's $168,753. He refused the offer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Willard_Bliss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnaHybw6CBI

(05-31-2019 02:26 AM)AussieMick Wrote:  I like the idea that Dr Bliss first name was 'Doctor'.

Michael, on Wednesday I was in our family doctor's office for my annual. There was some time for small talk, and I asked him if he knew the controversial doctor's name who had treated James Garfield after he was shot. He replied, "No." I said his name was Dr. Doctor Bliss. He said, "Are you kidding?" And it then took about two minutes for me to convince him the doc's real first name was "Doctor." My doc just couldn't believe it.

(05-31-2019 03:59 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(05-31-2019 02:26 AM)AussieMick Wrote:  I like the idea that Dr Bliss first name was 'Doctor'.

Michael, on Wednesday I was in our family doctor's office for my annual. There was some time for small talk, and I asked him if he knew the controversial doctor's name who had treated James Garfield after he was shot. He replied, "No." I said his name was Dr. Doctor Bliss. He said, "Are you kidding?" And it then took about two minutes for me to convince him the doc's real first name was "Doctor." My doc just couldn't believe it.

I guess his parents wanted him to be a physician so they named him such.