CASE.—Private John Vexter, Co. D,
98th Pennsylvania Volunteers, aged 40 years, was
wounded before Petersburg, Virginia, June 7th,
1864, by a conoidal ball, which passed directly
across the neck. He also received a gunshot
fracture of the lower jaw, and a penetrating wound
of the chest. He was taken to the hospital of the
2d division, Sixth Corps, and, on June 10th, was
sent to Emory Hospital, Washington. The wounds
were cleaned and iced-water dressings applied,
with stimulants, expectorants, anodynes, and
nourishing diet internally. When admitted, the
patient was much exhausted from loss of blood and
exposure; respiration difficult; pulse 83, and
irritable cough and orthopnœa. By June 11th, the
patient breathed easier and was able to lie down.
The swelling was subsiding, and the wounds
discharging slightly. He was unable to swallow anything except liquids. On June 13th, the breathing
became more difficult, and, on the 14th, the wound
of the chest commenced discharging slightly, blood
and air passing from the orifice. Death resulted
on June 15th, 1864.