Something New

[STS Lincolnite]

In addition to the early "air conditioner" used to make Garfield more comfortable, Alexander Graham Bell used what you might call an early "x-ray machine" (although it didn't use x-rays) to find the bullet that remained in President Garfield.

Eva is correct in that that sterile technique had already been pioneered by this time. Unfortunately, many physicians in the United States were slow to accept it. Garfield suffered the consequences.

For those interested, I would recommend Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard. A very good book about Garfield and goes into good detail about the "medical care" the President received following his shooting.