Doctor Willard Bliss
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Doctor Willard Bliss MD
Bliss's first name was Doctor; in addition, he earned the title Doctor. (August 18, 1825 – February 21, 1889) was an American physician and expert in ballistic trauma
, who treated James A. Garfield after his mortal wounding from a gunshot in July 1881 until his death two and a half months later.
to Obediah Bliss (1792–1863) and Marilla Pool (1795–1857). Bliss's first and middle names (Doctor and Willard) were inspired by Dr Samuel Willard, a surgeon from New England
. During his youth, the Bliss family lived in Savoy, Massachusetts
. Bliss had one brother, Zenas (July 4, 1832 – April 23, 1877).
Bliss treated Zachary Taylor
for malaria at Fort Jesup
, Louisiana
in 1844.
Bliss studied at Cleveland Medical College, submitting his thesis
on Pseudarthrosis
or False-Joint in 1849.
During the American Civil War
, Bliss was a surgeon with the Third Michigan Infantry
. Bliss later became superintendent at Washington D.C.'s Armory Square Hospital; he continued to practice in the city after the war had ended.
Bliss was mentioned in correspondence by Walt Whitman
, who claimed that Bliss answered the House of Representatives
' proposal for his pension in 1887 by saying, "I am of opinion that no one person who assisted in the hospitals during the war accomplished so much good to the soldiers and for the Government as Mr. Whitman".
after James A. Garfield had been shot at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C.. Bliss examined Garfield's bullet wounds with his fingers and metal probes, concluding the bullet was in the President's liver.
Bliss became Garfield's self-appointed doctor after their return to the White House
. As trained nurses were uncommon at this time, Bliss used Cabinet members' wives as help, even though they had no knowledge of nurses' duties. Bliss also invited Alexander Graham Bell
to test his metal detector
on the President, hoping that it would locate the bullet.
After Garfield's death, Bliss submitted a claim for $25,000 (approximately $550,000 in 2010) for his services to the President. He was offered $6,500 instead, an offer that he refused.
.
Sophia died in January 1888 in Washington D.C.; Bliss died in the same city on February 21, 1889. His death was attributed to heart failure or apoplexy
.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
Bliss's first name was Doctor; in addition, he earned the title Doctor. (August 18, 1825 – February 21, 1889) was an American physician and expert in ballistic trauma
Ballistic trauma
The term ballistic trauma refers to a form of physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions. The most common forms of ballistic trauma stem from firearms used in armed conflicts, civilian sporting and recreational pursuits, and criminal activity.-Destructive effects:The degree...
, who treated James A. Garfield after his mortal wounding from a gunshot in July 1881 until his death two and a half months later.
Early life and career
Bliss was born in Brutus, New YorkBrutus, New York
Brutus is a town in Cayuga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,464 at the 2010 census. The name was assigned by a clerk interested in the classics.The Town of Brutus is located in the east part of the county and is west of Syracuse....
to Obediah Bliss (1792–1863) and Marilla Pool (1795–1857). Bliss's first and middle names (Doctor and Willard) were inspired by Dr Samuel Willard, a surgeon from New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. During his youth, the Bliss family lived in Savoy, Massachusetts
Savoy, Massachusetts
Savoy is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 705 at the 2000 census.- History :...
. Bliss had one brother, Zenas (July 4, 1832 – April 23, 1877).
Bliss treated Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
for malaria at Fort Jesup
Fort Jesup
Fort Jesup, also known as Fort Jesup State Historic Site or Fort Jessup or Fort Jesup State Monument, was built in 1822, 22 miles west of Natchitoches, Louisiana, to protect the United States border with Spain and to return order to the Neutral Strip. Originally named Cantonment Jesup, the fort...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in 1844.
Bliss studied at Cleveland Medical College, submitting his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
on Pseudarthrosis
Pseudarthrosis
Pseudarthrosis is the movement of a bone at the location of a fracture resulting from inadequate healing of the fracture.Pseudarthrosis can also result from a developmental failure.-Etymology:...
or False-Joint in 1849.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Bliss was a surgeon with the Third Michigan Infantry
3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:At 8:30 on the morning of Thursday, June 13, 1861, ten companies of the Third Michigan infantry, led by its regimental band and the field and staff officers,...
. Bliss later became superintendent at Washington D.C.'s Armory Square Hospital; he continued to practice in the city after the war had ended.
Bliss was mentioned in correspondence by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
, who claimed that Bliss answered the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
' proposal for his pension in 1887 by saying, "I am of opinion that no one person who assisted in the hospitals during the war accomplished so much good to the soldiers and for the Government as Mr. Whitman".
Treatment of James Garfield
On July 2, 1881, Bliss was summoned by Robert Todd LincolnRobert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
after James A. Garfield had been shot at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C.. Bliss examined Garfield's bullet wounds with his fingers and metal probes, concluding the bullet was in the President's liver.
Bliss became Garfield's self-appointed doctor after their return to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. As trained nurses were uncommon at this time, Bliss used Cabinet members' wives as help, even though they had no knowledge of nurses' duties. Bliss also invited Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
to test his metal detector
Metal detector
A metal detector is a device which responds to metal that may not be readily apparent.The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating magnetic field...
on the President, hoping that it would locate the bullet.
After Garfield's death, Bliss submitted a claim for $25,000 (approximately $550,000 in 2010) for his services to the President. He was offered $6,500 instead, an offer that he refused.
Personal life
Bliss married Sophia Prentiss (1825–1888) in Cuyahoga, Ohio on May 23, 1849. They had four children: Elliss Baker (born April 25, 1850), a dentist; Clara Bliss Hinds, a medical practitioner; Willie Prentiss (born February 1854, died August 17, 1856 "by an accident") and Eugenie Prentiss (born August 10, 1855). The family lived in a house in Washington D.C. built by John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
.
Sophia died in January 1888 in Washington D.C.; Bliss died in the same city on February 21, 1889. His death was attributed to heart failure or apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
.