What did Dr. Leale realize about Lincoln's injury after examining him?

• A. That it was a heart attack.
• B. That it was a stab wound.
• C. That Lincoln had a broken leg.
• D. That Lincoln had been shot, not stabbed.

Answer: (D)

Evaluating the nature and location of an injury reveals what caused it. Dr. Leale’s examination of Lincoln focused on a penetrating wound to the head. That kind of wound is characteristic of a gunshot, not a stab, and there were no signs pointing to a heart attack or a broken leg. In the moment of assessment, the evidence he could observe supported the conclusion that Lincoln had been shot. This is why the best answer is that Lincoln had been shot, not stabbed.