In both life and death, James Garfield was a groundbreaking personality. He gained the nomination for presidency by popular vote despite not officially being in the running, and he was awarded the presidency against the democratic nominee using the same unexpected means. His popular character attracted the likes of both those who wished to work with him, and those who wished to harm him besides his down-to-earth way of handling the presidency of the United States of America. On September 19th, 1881, James Garfield was shot in the back, but not fatally, by a man named Charles Guiteau. Devastatingly enough, it was not the gunshot alone that killed Garfield. Medical malpractice assisted a great deal, but Garfield’s death lead towards a movement of more careful medical practice. Prior to being shot, James Garfield was a relatively healthy man. Especially before moving into the white house, when he owned a couple of acres in farmland in Tennessee that he, himself, worked (Millard 67). He was strong in body and
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During the civil war, if someone had been shot and there was no exit wound, but there seemed to be little internal damage, the entrance wound would be treated and sewed up to prevent infection and further injury. The patient’s body would heal around the bullet, and all would be relatively okay. Since Garfield was the president of the United States of America, Bliss—his assigned physician—felt sufficient need to do all he could to keep the president from getting any worse. He was determined to preside over Garfield alone, assuming that outside care would only harm him further (Millard 228). While these intentions seemed genuine, they created a premise for not seeking help where it would be needed and not informing other physicians of the president’s
During the civil war, if someone had been shot and there was no exit wound, but there seemed to be little internal damage, the entrance wound would be treated and sewed up to prevent infection and further injury. The patient’s body would heal around the bullet, and all would be relatively okay. Since Garfield was the president of the United States of America, Bliss—his assigned physician—felt sufficient need to do all he could to keep the president from getting any worse. He was determined to preside over Garfield alone, assuming that outside care would only harm him further (Millard 228). While these intentions seemed genuine, they created a premise for not seeking help where it would be needed and not informing other physicians of the president’s