A Brief History of Garfield's Injuries

Garfield was unable to perform most presidential duties and the Constitution gave no guidance for a presidential disability. Garfield's injury did not cause major challenges because the federal government had essentially shut down for the summer as was its custom in the 19th century. But one thing that was frustrating Garfield and his doctors was the location of the bullet in his body Dr. Bliss continued to probe Garfield's wound fruitlessly searching for the bullet. Alexander Graham Bell arrived at the White House on August 1st with an induction balance which could detect lead bullets without physically probing them. When Bell moved the device over Garfield he did hear a faint clicking sound registering the presence of metal. On September 19th Garfield cried out in pain