An unknown soldier (German), while engaged in a
drunken brawl at Washington, in June or July,
1861, received a blow on the head from the butt of
a musket. He was admitted to the Washington
Infirmary. Assistant Surgeon J. W. S. Gouley, U. S. A., enlarged the wound, which was linear, and
made an incision across it. bringing the fractured
left parietal into view. There was apparently but
slight depression of the outer table. The inner
table proved to be fractured in a stellate form
and driven in about one-eighth of an inch. The
crown of a large trephine having been applied, a
disk of bone, including all the fragments, was
removed. The patient had comatose symptoms. As
soon as the operation was performed he regained
consciousness, but again lapsed into a state of
stupor. On the following morning, he answered
questions coherently. Recovery took place without
further untoward symptoms. Reported by the
operator.