You know, I sometimes complain about the missteps and absurdities of modern medicine, but it used to be much, much, worse:
In addition to causing sepsis by probing the wound with unsterile hands and instruments, Garfield's doctors did him a disservice by strictly limiting his solid food intake, believing that the bullet might have pierced his intestines, said Dr. Rutkow, the author of “James A. Garfield,” a book in the American Presidents Series.
In mid-August, the doctors insisted that Garfield be fed rectally, and he received beef bouillon, egg yolks, milk, whiskey and drops of opium in this manner.
“They basically starved him to death,” said Dr. Rutkow, noting that the president lost over 100 pounds from July to September.
