Title: Vosberg, William H.

Source text: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, Volume 1 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1888), 747.

Keywords:diseases attributed to non-miasmatic exposuresdiseases of the respiratory organsdiphtheritic inflammation of the fauces, etc.doubt diphtheria was constitutional disease from specific poisonpost-mortem recordsdiphtheriaadmitted with chronic diarrhœatonsils, uvula and soft palate red and swollendiphtheritic membrane covered uvula, tonsils, and epiglottislarynx and trachea highly inflamedfalse membrane dislodged by emesis

Civil War Washington ID: med.d1e10782

TEI/XML: med.d1e10782.xml


CASE 17.—Corporal William H. Vosberg, Co. H, 13th N. Y. Cav.; age 21; was admitted Aug. 16, 1862, with chronic diarrhœa. He improved under treatment, but on September 4 his throat became sore and his tonsils, uvula and soft palate red and swollen, the pulse being natural but feeble. Chlorate of potassa with muriatic acid was given internally and as a gargle. By the 6th a diphtheritic membrane covered the uvula, tonsils and epiglottis. Quinine, tincture of iron, beef-essence and stimulants were added to the treatment. At 8 P. M. the patient seemed moribund,—great dyspnœa, with rapid, thready pulse and coldness of surface; but a few hours later he rallied and slept well during the night. The urgent symptoms returned on the night of the 7th, and he died next morning. About fifteen minutes before death he vomited a large quantity of greenish liquid containing whitish shreddy matter. Post-mortem examination: The larynx and trachea were highly inflamed, but as no false membrane was found it was assumed to have been dislodged by the emesis.—Act. Ass't Surgeon Pierre R. Holly, Douglas Hospital, Washington, D. C.