James Garfield: Lightning Strike Or Gunshot?

On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot twice by a disgruntled office seeker. While his assassination is a well-documented historical event, a persistent myth has emerged suggesting his death was caused by lightning. This article delves into the facts surrounding Garfield's final days, examining the medical conditions that plagued him after the shooting and debunking the outlandish lightning theory.

Key Takeaways

• President James A. Garfield was assassinated by gunshot in 1881.
• He suffered from severe medical complications following the shooting, including infection and organ damage.
• The belief that lightning killed Garfield is a myth, likely stemming from misunderstandings of his medical treatment and final moments.
• Garfield's death was a tragic consequence of a preventable medical crisis, not a meteorological phenomenon.
• Understanding the historical context of medical practices during this era is crucial to grasping the complexities of his case.

Introduction

President James A. Garfield’s presidency was tragically cut short by an assassin’s bullet on July 2, 1881. While the shooting is a stark historical fact, a curious and persistent myth has circulated for decades: that Garfield actually died from a lightning strike. This belief, however, is entirely unfounded and contradicts all historical and medical evidence. The reality of Garfield's demise is rooted in the devastating effects of the gunshot wounds and the subsequent, tragically mishandled medical care he received. This article will explore the true cause of President Garfield's death, separating historical fact from enduring folklore.

What Was James Garfield's Cause of Death?

President James A. Garfield died on September 19, 1881, from complications arising from two gunshot wounds inflicted by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881. The primary cause of death was septicemia (blood poisoning), a severe infection that spread throughout his body, exacerbated by the surgical interventions and the prolonged period of suffering he endured. His body was riddled with infection and failing to heal. Doctors probing his wound repeatedly with unsterilized instruments inadvertently introduced more bacteria, worsening his condition.

Why is the lightning myth so persistent? The myth likely originates from a confluence of factors: dramatic portrayals of his final hours, misunderstandings of the medical terminology used at the time, and perhaps a desire for a more sensational or less grim explanation for a president's death. In the late 19th century, medical understanding and practices were vastly different from today. The concept of germ theory was still relatively new, and sterile surgical techniques were not consistently applied. This lack of understanding and practice contributed significantly to Garfield's decline.

The Assassin and the Shooting

Charles J. Guiteau, a mentally unstable and disgruntled lawyer and office seeker, shot President Garfield at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau had expected to be appointed consul to France, a position he believed he deserved after allegedly helping Garfield win the election. When his demands were not met, he plotted his revenge.

Garfield was shot twice. One bullet grazed his arm, causing a superficial wound. The second bullet, however, lodged somewhere in his back, potentially near the spine. This second wound, though not immediately fatal, became the source of immense suffering and eventual death.

The immediate aftermath saw frantic efforts to locate the bullet. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, was even called upon to use a primitive metal detector, the “induction balance,” to find the projectile. Tragically, the device malfunctioned, possibly due to the metal springs in Garfield’s mattress, and failed to pinpoint the bullet's location. The repeated, invasive probing by physicians attempting to find and remove the bullet further damaged Garfield’s tissues and introduced bacteria, sealing his fate.

The Medical Battle: Infection and Septicemia

Following the shooting, President Garfield’s condition deteriorated rapidly. His physicians, despite their best efforts, were operating with limited knowledge of infection control. The bullet remained lodged inside his body, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The constant probing and exploration of the wound by the medical team, using unsterilized instruments, led to a severe internal infection.

Garfield developed a raging fever, chills, and excruciating pain. He experienced periods of delirium and significant weight loss. The medical records from the time detail a prolonged struggle against what we now recognize as septicemia. His once robust body was overwhelmed by the relentless infection.

The role of unsterilized instruments: In 1881, while germ theory was gaining traction, its application in everyday medical practice, especially surgery, was inconsistent. Doctors often did not wash their hands thoroughly or sterilize their instruments. This negligence, though unintentional in Garfield's case, proved fatal. The surgical exploration turned into a relentless assault on his already weakened system, introducing more pathogens with each attempt to locate the bullet.

Autopsy findings: The autopsy performed after Garfield’s death confirmed the presence of the bullet and, more importantly, revealed extensive internal damage and abscesses, clear signs of a massive infection that had spread throughout his body. The bullet itself was eventually found near the pancreas, having traveled a path that caused significant internal injury and complications. — Death By Lightning: Causes, Survival & Safety

Debunking the Lightning Myth

No credible historical accounts, medical records, or scientific evidence suggest that lightning played any role in President Garfield's death. The myth appears to be a product of later misinterpretations or sensationalism. The circumstances of his assassination, the prolonged suffering, and the detailed medical reports all point unequivocally to the gunshot wounds and subsequent infection as the cause of death.

Where did the myth come from? While the precise origin is difficult to pinpoint, theories include:

• Misinterpretation of symptoms: Garfield experienced fevers, chills, and delirium, symptoms that could be misinterpreted in dramatic accounts.
• Dramatic retellings: The story of a president dying from an assassin’s bullet is inherently dramatic. Adding an even more unusual element like lightning could have appealed to storytellers.
• Confusion with other events: It's possible the story became conflated with other, unrelated events or anecdotes.

It’s crucial to rely on documented facts. The timeline of events – the shooting, the weeks of declining health, the medical interventions, and the autopsy – forms a coherent and tragic narrative of death by infection following a gunshot. There is simply no room for a meteorological event in this established historical sequence.

The Legacy of Medical Negligence and Innovation

President Garfield’s death highlighted the critical need for advancements in medical science, particularly in the areas of antisepsis and surgical precision. His case served as a stark, albeit tragic, catalyst for change. — Food Handlers Permit: Age Requirements & How To Get It

Impact on medical practices: The high-profile nature of Garfield’s death, and the public awareness of the inadequate medical care he received, spurred greater adoption of sterile surgical techniques. Doctors began to understand the profound importance of cleanliness in preventing post-operative infections. This shift was instrumental in saving countless lives in subsequent years.

The introduction of sterile instruments: Building on the work of pioneers like Ignaz Semmelweis and Joseph Lister, physicians slowly but surely began to embrace sterilization. Instruments were boiled, hands were washed rigorously, and operating rooms became cleaner environments. Garfield’s suffering underscored the deadly consequences of not adhering to these evolving standards.

Advancements in ballistics and wound treatment: The challenges in locating the bullet also pushed the boundaries of diagnostic technology. While Bell's metal detector failed, it represented an early attempt to use technology for medical diagnosis. This spurred further innovation in medical imaging and surgical tools designed to minimize tissue damage and improve accuracy.

Garfield's tragic end, therefore, was not in vain. It inadvertently contributed to a revolution in medical care that continues to benefit humanity today.

How Did Medical Science Fail President Garfield?

Several key factors contributed to the failure of medical science to save President Garfield:

1. Lack of understanding of germ theory: While germ theory was emerging, its practical application in surgery was not widespread. Doctors did not consistently practice handwashing or sterilize their instruments, leading to the introduction and spread of infection.
2. Inadequate diagnostic tools: The inability to accurately locate the bullet meant surgeons resorted to repeated, invasive probing. This not only caused trauma but also served to spread infection deeper into Garfield's body.
3. Poor surgical technique: The repeated blind probing and the general lack of sterile conditions created an environment ripe for septicemia. The medical team's interventions, intended to help, ultimately exacerbated the damage.
4. Prolonged suffering: Garfield endured weeks of agony, fever, and infection. His body was weakened to the point where it could no longer fight off the overwhelming bacterial invasion.

It is important to view this through the lens of the era. While these failures are evident to us today, they were often standard, albeit flawed, medical practices at the time. The tragedy lay in the confluence of a severe wound, a nascent understanding of infection, and primitive medical technology.

What Was the Medical Condition That Killed Garfield?

The primary medical condition that killed President Garfield was septicemia, also known as blood poisoning. This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection triggers a chain reaction in the body. The infection originates from the gunshot wound, where bacteria entered the bloodstream. The constant manipulation of the wound by unsterilized instruments introduced more bacteria, accelerating the spread.

Symptoms of septicemia in Garfield’s case included:

• High fever
• Chills
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Delirium
• Extreme weakness
• Abscess formation

The autopsy revealed extensive internal damage and abscesses, confirming the widespread nature of the infection. His organs were severely compromised by the toxins released by the bacteria and the body's overwhelming inflammatory response. Ultimately, his system simply could not withstand the onslaught, leading to organ failure and death.

James Garfield's Assassination vs. Death by Lightning: A Comparison

Let's clearly distinguish between the historical event and the myth:

Assassination by Gunshot:

• Who: President James A. Garfield, shot by Charles J. Guiteau.
• What: Two gunshot wounds, one superficial, one deeply lodged.
• When: July 2, 1881.
• Where: Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station, Washington, D.C.
• Why: Guiteau's delusion and desire for political office.
• Outcome: Weeks of suffering, severe infection (septicemia), leading to death on September 19, 1881.

Myth of Death by Lightning:

• Who: President James A. Garfield (hypothetically).
• What: Struck by a lightning bolt.
• When: Undetermined, but implied around the time of his shooting or death.
• Where: Undetermined.
• Why: Meteorological event.
• Outcome: Instantaneous or rapid death from electrocution.

Clearly, the assassination narrative is supported by overwhelming historical and medical evidence. The lightning narrative lacks any factual basis and appears to be a fabricated or misunderstood element of history.

FAQs

Was President Garfield actually shot?

Yes, President James A. Garfield was shot twice by an assassin, Charles J. Guiteau, on July 2, 1881. One bullet grazed his arm, and the other lodged in his body, ultimately leading to his death.

What was the actual cause of President Garfield's death?

President Garfield died from septicemia, or blood poisoning, which developed as a complication of the gunshot wound. The infection spread throughout his body due to a combination of the wound itself and the unsterilized medical instruments used during probing.

How did doctors try to find the bullet?

Doctors repeatedly probed the wound with their fingers and surgical instruments in an attempt to locate and remove the bullet. Alexander Graham Bell was also involved, attempting to use his newly invented “induction balance” (an early metal detector), but it failed to find the bullet.

When did President Garfield die?

President James A. Garfield died on September 19, 1881, 79 days after being shot.

Is there any truth to the theory that lightning killed Garfield?

No, there is absolutely no historical or medical evidence to support the theory that lightning killed President Garfield. This is a persistent myth that has been thoroughly debunked by historical facts.

What is septicemia?

Septicemia, commonly known as blood poisoning, is a severe and life-threatening response to infection. When an infection enters the bloodstream, it can trigger widespread inflammation and damage to the body's organs, potentially leading to organ failure and death.

Conclusion

President James A. Garfield's death was a profound tragedy, a consequence of a violent assassination and the medical limitations of his era. The persistent myth of death by lightning is a disservice to the historical record and the complex reality of his final months. His assassination by gunshot led to a devastating infection, septicemia, which his physicians, hampered by the prevailing medical practices, could not overcome. While the attempts to save him inadvertently worsened his condition, his case ultimately served as a somber lesson that propelled crucial advancements in hygiene, surgical techniques, and medical diagnostics. Garfield’s legacy is one of leadership tragically cut short, but also one that indirectly spurred a revolution in healthcare that continues to save lives today.

To learn more about presidential history and the evolution of medicine, explore resources at the National Archives or the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. — US Holidays: Dates, History & Traditions

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Last updated: September 23, 2023, 10:00 UTC