Recovery Not Barred

Dr. McBurney, Eminent Surgeon, Has Seen Worse Injuries Cured.

     STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 7.—President McKinley’s wounds should heal rapidly, if inflammation does not set in, says Dr. Charles McBurney, the eminent New York surgeon, who is staying here. Dr. McBurney says that he has known many cases, each more serious than that of the President appears to be, that have recovered.
     If the bullet penetrated the abdominal wall, the injury was a grave one, is the surgeon’s opinion; if the bullet penetrated both walls, the case is still graver, and if the intestines were injured, recovery is even more doubtful. Injury to the liver would make the chances of recovery still less.
     The doctor says he has known many cases to recover where the walls and intestines were injured, but from the reports he has read of the President’s injuries, he does not consider them extremely serious. Had the wounds extended to the intestines, the surgeons would have taken a much longer time in performing the operation. Dr. McBurney says he can tell nothing from the pulse, temperature, and respiration announced this forenoon, as all three might have been affected by the drugs used in the performance of the operation.