CASE 536.—Corporal L. P.
Miller, Co. G, 124th New York, aged 27
years, was wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, by a minié ball, which entered the left
knee one-half inch external to the inner condyle of the femur and emerged two inches
anteriorly, bruising the bone. Surgeon D. W. Bliss, U. S. V., reported his admission to Washington, May 8th, with the knee joint in a
swollen condition. Irrigation was made by water dressings, and subsequently tincture of iodine
was applied to the knee. By June 6th the wound had nearly healed, but there was considerable
effusion in the joint and contraction of the flexor tendons. The patient subsequently passed
through several hospitals, was assigned to the Veteran Reserve
Corps March 2, 1864, and ultimately discharged August 13, 1865, and pensioned. Examining
surgeons report swelling of the knee, owing partly to enlargement of bone and partly to
œdematous condition of the tissues; also anchylosis from injury of the bony structures and
from contraction of the tendons and ligaments.