Title: Feaster, John

Source text: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, Volume 1 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1888), 748-749.

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 recordsdiphtheriatubular pseudomembrane in trachea extended into bronchial tubesadmitted on account of gunshot woundfood returned through nostrils when attempted to swallowdied of suffocation

Civil War Washington ID: med.d1e10807

TEI/XML: med.d1e10807.xml


CASE 25.—Private John Feaster, Co. C, 7th N. Y., was admitted Aug. 17, 1864, on account of a gunshot wound; but he had indications of diphtheria, which became fully developed seven days later. His throat became swollen and a film of white substance formed about the tonsils; food returned through the nostrils when attempts were made to swallow; respiration was difficult, but there was no cough. A gargle of tannin solution brought away a considerable amount of the film. Chlorate of potassa, muriate of ammonia and tincture of iron were prescribed. The patient died of suffocation on the 30th. Post-mortem examination: The trachea contained a tubular pseudomembrane which extended into the bronchial tubes. [Specimen 410, Med. Sec., Army Medical Museum.]—Act. Ass't Surgeon Samuel Graham, Emory Hospital, Washington, D. C.