Roosevelt Gains, Bullet Located, Lodged In Rib.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 17, 1912:
Wound Is Healing Without Infection and He May Be Out of Danger by To-night.
WON'T PROBE FOR BULLET
Broken Rib Will Be Allowed to Heal Without Putting Patient in Plaster Cast.
MAY SOON START HOME
Mrs. Roosevelt in Charge and Anxious to Have Colonel at Oyster Bay.
FEW BESIDES FAMILY SEE HIM
Patient in Good Humor and Continually Jokes with the Doctors.
HOPES TO MAKE SPEECH HERE
Beyond That He Agrees to Take No Active Part in the Campaign — Bulletins Reassuring.
SAYS HE FEELS FIT
Bulletin from Dr. J. B. Murphy.
By Telegraph to the Editor of The New York Times.
    CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 11:30 P. M.— Col. Roosevelt's pulse, 82; temperature, 98.6; respiration, 20; white blood count, 6,400. He is in much less pain and moves with greater ease. His general condition is good. He says he feels fit. JOHN B. Murphy.

ROOSEVELT'S CONDITION EXCELLENT.
By Dr. Alexander Lambert,
    Col. Roosevelt's family Physician. I am struck with the excellence of Col. Roosevelt's condition after what he has been through. There is no question but that he has a serious wound with serious possibilities, none of which has appeared, and we shall not anticipate nor cross any bridge until we get there.
    I shudder when I realize how narrow an escape from instant death Col. Roosevelt had. The bullet struck him from below at an angle such that unless deflected it would have surely passed through the little lobe of his right lung upwards and inwards through the auricles of the heart or the arch of the aorta.
    The folded manuscript and heavy steel spectacle case checked and deflected the bullet so that it passed up at such an angle that it went outside the ribs and in the muscles. If this deflection had not occurred and the bullet gone through the arch of the aorta or auricles of the heart, Col. Roosevelt would not have lived sixty seconds.
        ALEXANDER LAMBERT.

    Special to The New York Times. CHICAGO, Oct. 16.— Optimism rules about the bedchamber of Col. Roosevelt to-night after a day of steady gain in condition as marked by the tenor of the official bulletins and the cheerful talk of his physicians.
    A bulletin issued at 10 o'clock this evening indicated almost a normal state of health, the physicians noting especially the absence of any sign of sepsis or pleural complications. At midnight the Colonel was sleeping soundly.
    With the discovery of the bullet from Schrank's revolver imbedded near the fourth rib, which is now found to have been fractured by the impact, the Colonel's medical attendants are relieved of further anxiety on that score.
    Already there is talk that the Colonel will be well enough to start for Oyster Bay by Saturday. Mrs. Roosevelt, who arrived this morning and took control of affairs, is very anxious to have him taken out of the midst of so much politics.
    The surgeons in response to the insistent demands of Col. and Mrs. Roosevelt say that it is absolutely necessary to keep him under a minute-to-minute examination until to-morrow night at least. By to-morrow night, they say, the seventy-two hours in which blood poison must be guarded against will have elapsed
    That the bullet wound is healing normally without infection was officially announced to-night
    A description of the wound, given tonight by Dr. W. B. McCauley, is the first given to the public by the surgeons. He said that the bullet's path through the muscles of the chest was lacerated to some extent by the battered lead but that there was little contusion and no extensive area of bruised and extravasated surrounding tissue.

Cut a Comparatively Small Hole.
    "The bullet did not mushroom, as might have been expected," said Dr. McCauley. For that reason it cut a comparatively small hole in the skin and did not reduce a large portion of the nearby tíssues to a pulp, as is the case in a soft bullet that 'mushrooms' in animal tissue after it hits a bone. I think the bundle of papers in Col. Roosevelt's pocket checked it, and the spectacle case for some reason failed to spread the bullet much.
    "The wound is about big enough to put your finger in at the surface, and it does not appear to get much bigger. I would call it a very clean wound. The skin is torn at the surface in a ragged way, but not badly, and there is little bruising.
    "There is not a sign of suppuration in the wound. The flesh is in good condition and seems to be healing without complication. If there were pus forming deep in the wound we would know it at once by an unusual rise of temperature."
    Dr. McCauley added that it is now certain from the X-ray pictures that the bullet has not entered or injured the pleural cavity, removing a grave possibility in the case.

Where the Bullet Lies.
    An X-ray plate, which showed the bullet plainly in Col. Roosevelt's chest, was developed late in the afternoon. The bullet is shown imbedded in the fourth rib, which it fractured, about four inches from the sternum. The bullet is much flattened and spread out of shape, being crushed into the upper edge of the rib. Several small splinters of bone project near it.
    The bullet lies at the lower corner of a right-angled triangle, the apex of which is in the middle of the sternum, perpendicularly opposite the missile, and the other corner of which is the suprasternal notch. Wires laid on Col. Roosevelt's bare chest to form a guiding line on the plate, show the location of the bullet with reference to the ribs and sternum.
    According to the examinations the bullet is four to five inches below the surface, and in reaching its present position made a slanting wound six to seven inches long.
    It will not be necessary to set Col. Roosevelt's fractured rib or put him in a platter of paris bandage, according to Dr. Terrell.
    "Fractures of the rib seldom are set unless the bone is out of place," said Dr. Terrell. "This one is not extensive enough to call for treatment of that sort,"
    Present day hunters hunt grizzly bears with weapons of less calibre than the .38 revolver from which the heavy lead bullet was fired into the Colonel. A usual calibre for big game is .35, and the Colonel has killed lions in Africa with smaller bullets than that in his chest. Such a bullet would drop an elk in its tracks or knock a black bear off his feet. That he could stand up and make a speech with a .38-calibre bullet flat against one of his ribs is admitted by the surgeons to be remarkable
    Throughout the day the physicians were in constant attendance and their generally cheerful views of their patient's condition were reflected in their official statements.

Progress Told in Bulletins.
    The bulletins issued during the day, showing the steady gain in Col. Roosevelt's condition, were as follows:

    9:04 A.M.— The records show that Col. Roosevelt passed a very good night; his temperature and pulse are normal; that his highest pulse since 9 o'clock last night was 80; temperature 98.8, and that his pulse at 6 o'clock this morning was 74, and his temperature 98.6 and respiration 20; that he is having less irritation of his pleura, from the injured rib than he did yesterday; that he did not have to have an anodyne for the pain. General condition excellent.
    1:30 P.M.— Pulse 90; temperature 98.6 throughout the entire morning. Breathing a little easier. General condition excellent.
    6:30 P.M.— Highest temperature, 99: highest pulse, 90; highest respiration, 22. Blood count, 9,000. Seventy-seven per cent. neutrophiles, 10 per cent. less than yesterday. Less distress in moving, less distress in breathing. General condition very satisfactory.
    10 P.M.— The condition of the patient is normal at present and that there is no indication of sepsis in the wound or of pleural complications. Following is the official count: Temperature, 98.6: pulse, 84; respiration, 20; leucocytes, 6,400; polymorphoneuclia neutrophiles, 74. General condition good.

    These bulletins were signed in each case by Dr. J. B. Murphy, Dr. A. E. Bevan, and Dr. Scurry Terrell.
    The only possibility now seen by the physicians is blood poisoning and that is apparently regarded as remote.
    In fact the one item of the day's developments which stood out above all others in the minds of the surgeons was revealed by a delicate and protracted blood analysis. The statement in one bulletin that the "neutrophiles in the blood amounted to 77 per cent." while meaning nothing to laymen, caused surgeons and nurses to exchange exultant glances with each other. Dr. Alexander Lambert, Col. Roosevelt's home physician, explained the matter to The Times correspondent:
    "The clerk has made an error in typewriting the bulletin. It states that there were 77 per cent, of neutrophiles, and that this percentage was 10 per cent. more than yesterday. That makes our most hopeful symptom of the day seem to be our worst symptom. For you see there was actually 10 per cent, less than yesterday, and that is what is so fine. For the neutrophiles give us warning about inflammation. When inflammation is growing in your body, the neutrophiles increase, in pneumonia they run up to 96 per cent. In normal health they run from 66 to 72 per cent. "When Col. Roosevelt was shot the resulting inflammation increased his supply from normal to 87 per cent. and now we have the joy of knowing that the inflammation from his wound is on the decrease, that the wound is healing."
    "How about the sources of blood poison?" Dr. Lambert was asked. "It has been stated that the physicians would not feel certain as to the Colonel's safety from blood poisoning until after seventy-two hours had elapsed.
    "Young man." retorted the doctor, "Never cross a bridge like that until you come to it."
    "It was a terribly close call," added Dr. Lambert "That bullet, by all the rules of gunshot wounds, should have torn its way clear through Col. Roosevelt's breast, and could have come out of the left shoulder after splitting the lungs wide open. The only quality it lacked was speed, and for this the strong chest muscles of Col. Roosevelt and the thing's that bullet encountered in his clothing were responsible."
    The Colonel's day began at 3 A..M., when he awoke from a sound sleep, and asked Miss Fitzgerald, the night nurse, to hand him a book which he had been reading. He explained that he was a light sleeper, and that his naps on the previous afternoon had given him all the rest he needed. Between 3 o'clock and daylight Col. Roosevelt's book twice flipped from his hand as he dozed, and at 4 o'clock he was snoring so loudly that he could be heard in the corridors some distance from his room.
    At 6 o'clock the first bulletin was issued showing that Col, Roosevelt's pulse had decreased ten beats a minute from the reading of the night before at 10 o'clock. At 7 o'clock Col. Roosevelt explained that he was very hungry. He ordered a breakfast of three soft boiled eggs, bacon, toast, and a pot of tea, "piping hot," his usual breakfast while in perfect health and doing a day's work. Dr. Bevan entered the Colonel's room at 8 o'clock to ask that he prepare for an examination to locate the bullet in his right breast, if possible.
    The consultation, held between 8 and 9 o'clock, was followed by a supplementary consultation after the arrival of Dr. Lambert with Mrs. Roosevelt, Miss Ethel Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and Mrs. Nicholas Longworth shortly after 9 o'clock.

Not Likely to Probe.
    It was the opinion of all the surgeons present that the pain in the breathing, of which Col. Roosevelt had complained, was due to his fractured fourth rib, and that since the pain was subsiding the rib was not likely to cause any more trouble. It was also the opinion of the surgeons that it would be best to let nature take its course in encasing the bullet and not to undertake any probing of the wound for some time unless a sudden emergency should arise.
    While Dr. Lambert was discussing the case with Drs. Murphy, Bevan and Terrell, Col. Roosevelt was greeting cordially the members of his household and giving orders that Dr. John Golden of the hospital staff should so out to buy some toilet articles for Mrs. Roosevelt and some other trinkets for her adjoining suite, which she will occupy while Col. Roosevelt remains at hospital.
    Col. Roosevelt noticed that Miss Ethel's face was very pale and that she did not smile, as did the other members of the party. He spoke to her reassuringly in a strong, clear voice, noticing as he did so the group of surgeons gathered outside the door.
    "Hello, Lambert," he called out to his family physician in a spirit so gay that the alarm of Miss Ethel deserted her, and she became as reposed as the other visitors. Mrs. Roosevelt permitted the children to remain only a few minutes, and then she took her position as guardian of the outer door.
    The story of events from that time on at the hospital was a very different story from that of yesterday. Instead of ordering surgeons out of the room, when forbidden to converse with callers, Col. Roosevelt was himself a most obedient follower of orders.
    Mrs. Roosevelt issued all the orders that were issued, and Col. Roosevelt, so completely observed them that not even his closest associates, who yesterday had the free run of his room, were able to gain admission.
    The result was that Col. Roosevelt spent a fairly restful day, more than fairly free from callers, and he had the comfort from early in the morning of knowing that his loved ones were near or at his side.
    Nurses in the hospital and callers who tried to see Col. Roosevelt and failed were equally struck by Mrs. Roosevelt's inconspicuous manner as she took command of the sickroom, and at the same time with her efficiency in having her wishes obeyed by Col. Roosevelt, where the surgeons on Tuesday had failed.
    "Nothing doing any more. Mrs. Roosevelt's on watch." was the word that went all the way along the line of those gathered about the hospital early in the day, and the newspaper reporters outside immediately concluded that there would be "cold picking" for news at the hospital entrance.
    For a short time during the afternoon the physicians were a little concerned over a slight rise in Col. Roosevelt's temperature.
    Dr. Lambert in scanning the 6:30 P. M. bulletin, remarked that the pulse for the greater part of the day had been "down to 84," and that the temperature had averaged well below the high mark recorded.
    It was 5 o'clock in the afternoon when the slight scare over a rise in temperature occurred. The tiny thread in the clinical thermometer turned to 98.8 degrees and then rose to 99 degrees. The surgeons hastily consulted, as a rise of another degree would be almost a sure indication of the setting in of blood poisoning.
    As the temperature fell again the surgeons began to breathe easier, and they remarked in a care-free mood that slight rises in temperature very often occurred among surgical patients and mean absolutely nothing.
    "A rise to 100 degrees, indicating sepsis," the surgeons explained, "would be accompanied by a corresponding increase in the pulse, and both would be without other known provocation."
    Late to-night members of Col. Roosevelt's campaigning party, which was broken up on Monday, received an intimation from Col. Roosevelt's bedside that Saturday would be "moving day" if all goes well. All members of the party expect to proceed to Oyster Bay on Saturday afternoon, arriving there on Sunday in time for the Colonel to be at rest in his home before nightfall.
    While members of the hospital staff at the Mercy Hospital minimize the talk of the Colonel's plans to depart this week, those closest to him feel that the surgeons are taking precautions against dangers that would be probabilities in the case of an ordinary man, but that in Col. Roosevelt's case are not worth the time it takes to worry about them.
    They are counting on Col. Roosevelt's well-known restlessness under sick room conditions and the desire of Mrs. Roosevelt to make the transfer. The latter wants her husband back home, where she can have the telephone receiver taken down and can say just who is to bother Col. Roosevelt and who is not.
    The impression grew to-day that Col. Roosevelt would be able to do little or nothing more in the campaign. Although he expressed the hope of leaving for Oyster Bay on Sunday, it is probable he will be compelled to remain in the hospital for at least a week longer, and that after his arrival at home he will not be permitted to plunge into the campaign again.
    Associates of Col. Roosevelt said that while he was deeply disappointed at being obliged to leave the fight during the closing weeks, when it was to be hardest, he was showing no concern as to the possible effect of his removal from the field of battle.
    It is Col. Roosevelt's desire to make at least one more speech before Election Day, and that in his own State of New York. If he can do nothing else he hopes to speak in Madison Square Garden.
    In the absence of visitors the Colonel spent a quiet and apparently care-free day, seemingly the least concerned of all. He felt no pain, he said, and moved about at will on his bed, reading or dictating telegrams or talking with members of his family.
    There was little in the appearance of Col. Roosevelt to indicate that he was not in his usual health. His face has not lost its color, and as he sat propped up with pillows he moved about easily, and apparently was free from pain. As he talked he used his characteristic gestures, although with perhaps less vigor than is usual with him, and at times his laugh could be heard in the corridor outside. He seemed to enjoy relief from the cares of politics, and seemed determined to make his stay in the hospital an enjoyable vacation.
    When Dr. John F. Golden came into Col. Roosevelt's room to-day he asked the patient how he was feeling,
    "Fine, Fine," answered Mr. Roosevelt, waving his arms above his head to emphasize his words.
    "You look the part" said Dr. Golden. Just then Dr. Murphy came in.
    "Do you know," said the Colonel, "Dr. Murphy reminds me of Gen. Grant."
    "Why?" asked Dr. Golden. "Gen. Grant was a war machine. Dr. Murphy isn't that, is he?"
    "No, but his way of handling a case reminds me of the General. Grant was always the boss."

Inquiries About Apparatus.
    The oxygen apparatus placed an his room to keep the supply of air pure was a source of mystification to the patient until its workings were explained to him,
    "Science is going far these days," he said. "I wonder what will come next." The patient also insists that the use of every instrument be explained to him. He also asks about the medicine, what it's good for and its origin and other qualities.
    "They'll be calling me Old Doc Roosevelt when I get out of here," he chuckled.
    Half a hundred books were sent in by admirers during the day, and each was inspected by Col. Roosevelt He found that he had read many of them, and these he asked to be distributed among patients in near-by rooms. He had a sufficient library when the day closed to provide him with reading for a week. The books were varied, embracing light literature, serious novels, philosophy, economics, and religious thought.
    Former Health Commissioner W. A. Evans of Chicago, and Mrs. Evans, brought Col. Roosevelt a package of books after he took his afternoon nap. In the parcel were several volumes the patient had asked Dr. Evans for.
    "I want them by me." he told Dr. Evans, "so that if I can beguile Mrs. Roosevelt into giving me a chance to-night, I may look them over before going to a sleep."
    "Here's one that won't act as much of a sedative with you, I am afraid," said Dr. Evans. "The title gives a clew to its nature. It is 'The Declining Birthrate."
    "That is a favorite subject with me, you know," said the Colonel, interested in the little volume.
    Col. Roosevelt's old time friend, Father John Curran of Wilkesbarre, reached the hospital late in the day, having come from Battle Creek to see the Colonel.
    Col. Roosevelt insisted on violating Mrs. Roosevelt's rule against admitting visitors in order to receive him. The Colonel talked with Father Curran for a quarter of an hour.
    Col. Roosevelt's children dropped in to see him three times during the day, talking half an hour each time. Mrs, Roosevelt would not permit them to remain longer lest her husband tire himself.
    Once during the afternoon Mrs. Roosevelt found O. K. Davis, Secretary of the Progressive National Committee, in Col. Roosevelt's room. He remained there only a few seconds after the appearance of Mrs. Roosevelt, who, without debate, exiled him to the corridor.