Civil War Washington

CASE 5.—Private Daniel E. Russell, Co. E, 179th N. Y.; age 24; enlisted in September, 1864; admitted November 30. He stated that about the middle of October, after exposure to excessive fatigue and cold, he was attacked with violent fever and was unconscious for ten or twelve days. On regaining consciousness he had lost the use of his legs. When admitted he was in fair condition excepting the paralysis; there was tenderness on pressure along the entire spine. His condition remained unchanged during December; the innervation of the lower extremities did not improve; the skin was without sensation; there was no pain or uneasiness other than an occasional pricking and numb sensation in the thigh. During January, 1865, he complained of frequent headache and much pain in the groins and testicles, darting up the back; the appetite failed and the muscles of the lower extremities became soft and atrophied. In February the left arm and forearm became numb and stiff, but this afterwards in a measure disappeared. The patient gradually became anæmic. Counter-irritation was applied along the spine, stimulating friction to the limbs and passive motion to the joints; purgatives and alteratives were given, iodide of iron particularly; nux vomica was also used, but cautiously, as it appeared to aggravate the spinal excitement and pain; anodynes and wine were employed. He was discharged from service March 7.—Third Division Hospital, Alexandria, Va.