In [Reagan]'s case, however, an indwelling catheter apparently was not employed, despite remarks by White House spokesman Larry Speakes on Saturday indicating that such a device had been used on the President. On Sunday, Speakes said Reagan had received only a single injection of morphine into the spinal fluid and that no device had been implanted.

"But I would not consider him (Reagan) out of the woods yet," he said. "Whenever you deal with colon surgery, there is the possibility of a leaking anastomosis." The anastomosis is the place where the ends of the intestine were rejoined after the two-foot-long segment was removed from Reagan.

According to the surgeon, the morphine given Reagan may be contributing to his recovery in a way other than by minimizing grogginess. Because it concentrated its effect locally on the abdominal nerves, the small dosage apparently has been sufficient to kill pain in the area while still allowing Reagan to cough and take deep breaths without feeling pain.