Garfield Assassination Conspiracy

The Garfield assassination conspiracy refers to the persistent urban legend and conspiracy theory surrounding the assassination of United States President James A. Garfield in 1881. The theory posits that the actual cause of Garfield's death was not the gunshot wounds inflicted by his assassin, Charles J. Guiteau, but rather the incompetent medical treatment he received afterward. This theory has been popularized by various sources, including the comic strip Garfield by Jim Davis, which humorously suggested that the medical treatment, particularly the use of dirty hands and unsanitary conditions, was the true cause of Garfield's demise. In Hebrew, the term can be translated as תאוריית הקשר לרצח גארפילד. The conspiracy theory underscores the historical context of medical practices in the late 19th century, which were still developing and often lacked the sterile techniques that would later become standard. The legend has been debated by historians and medical professionals, with some acknowledging the role of poor medical care in Garfield's death, while others maintain that the gunshot wounds were ultimately fatal. The theory remains a notable example of how historical events can be reinterpreted through modern perspectives on medicine and conspiracy theories.