Dullahan, J.a machine readable transcriptionSusan C. LawrenceKenneth M. PriceKenneth J. Winkle2011med.d2e21478Civil War WashingtonUniversity of Nebraska–LincolnCenter for Digital Research in the
Humanities319 Love LibraryUniversity of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln, NE 68588-4100cdrh@unlnotes.unl.edu2011
The following are responsible for particular readings or for changes to
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Kenneth M. PriceAJ HowellMatthew BosleyElizabeth LorangStacey BerryElisabeth TraceySarah SynovecThe Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion.
(1861-65.)Washington, DCGovernment Printing
OfficePart 3Volume
21883579Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellionwounds and injuries of the lower extremitieswounds and operations at the ankle jointshot fractures of the bones of the ankle jointshot fractures of the bones of the ankle joint treated by conservationwound of ankle with compound fracture of inner malleolusball entered at inner malleolus, came out behind external malleolusligamentous anchylosis of joint, slight contraction of muscles of calf of leginner malleolus thickened by bony deposit, new growth operative in limiting motions of
foot, function of tibio-tarsal articulation obstructed by false anchylosisblessedadded figure encodingadditional proofing of transcription and encoding, identified
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CASE 815.—Private J.
Dullahan, Co. D, 3d Vermont, aged 24 years,
was wounded in the right ankle, at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Six
days after receiving the injury he was admitted to Harewood Hospital, Washington, and one week
later the man was transferred to South Street Hospital,
Philadelphia. Surgeon S. J. W. Mintzer, U. S. V., in charge of the latter hospital, recorded a
wound of the ankle with compound fracture of the inner malleolus by a minié ball, which
entered at the inner malleolus and came out just behind the external malleolus. Cold-water
dressings were used. On May 23d there was great pain and swelling, and an application of lead
water and laudanum was kept wrapped around the limb; morphia, milk punch, and beef essence being
administered. Two days afterwards the wounds of
exit and entrance were enlarged, after which the foot was again wrapped up in the same
application. On May 27th, the pain still continuing, equal parts of tincture of aconite and
water were applied, and two days later a plaster of extract of hemlock was made to cover the
entire foot. On May 30th quinine pills were prescribed, and another lotion consisting of
laudanum and tincture of aconite was ordered to be constantly applied. The entries in the
hospital records at this date mention that the patient was evidently sinking. He subsequently
mended, however, and became well enough to be transferred to Brattleboro on June 29th. Several months
later he was transferred to Burlington, where he was assigned
to the Veteran Reserve Corps February 21, 1865. The
patient was ultimately discharged from service at Sloan Hospital, Montpelier, July 25,1865, and
pensioned. Surgeon H. Janes, U. S. V., in charge of the latter, contributed the photograph represented in
the adjacent cut (FIG. 330), and reported that, according to the
patient's statement, the lower end of the tibia became necrosed and was gouged out twice at
Brattleboro Hospital. At the time of the man's discharge his
general health was good and the wound was nearly healed, with ligamentous anchylosis of the
joint and very slight contraction of the muscles of the calf of the leg. There was no appearance
of caries or necrosis, and he could walk a short distance with a cane, gaining some motion of
the joint by exercise. Examiner A. L. Lowell, of Burlington, Vermont, certified, March 26, 1870: "The cicatrix of entrance is adherent to the bone and healthy, but
sensitive to pressure. The inner malleolus is considerably thickened by bony deposit and the new
growth is operative in limiting the motions of the foot. The tibio-tarsal articulation is
obstructed in its function by false anchylosis. In flexion and extension of the foot the toes
describe an arc of but two inches. The foot is inverted to such a degree as to throw the weight
of the body on the outer margin of the sole." The pensioner was paid June 4, 1880.