Civil War Washington

CASE 531.—Sergeant Frederick Littig, Co. H, 446th New York, aged 25, was wounded at Six Mile House, near Petersburg, August 19, 1864. He was taken to the hospital of the 2nd division, Fifth Corps, and was transferred to Washington on the 24th, and admitted into Lincoln Hospital. Acting Assistant Surgeon G. S. Stebbins notes a "gunshot wound of the chest, involving the kidney" and states that "the patient had suffered so much from the wound previous to his admission that he was very badly reduced; there was also paralysis of the bladder and lower extremities. He was constantly delirious, and had involuntary discharges for several days, both from the bowels and bladder. Stimulants, tonics, and nourishing diet were given, and a grain each of acetate of lead and opium was administered to control internal hæmorrhage. Sulphate of morphia in solution to allay pain, and strychnine to overcome the paralysis of the bladder, were also given. He continued to fail in strength rapidly, and died on September 5, 1864, from complete exhaustion." The injury was on the right side.