Civil War Washington

CASE.—Private James Berks, Co. K, 138th Pennsylvania Volunteers, aged 60 years, received, at the battle of Locust Grove, November 27th, 1863, a gunshot wound of the face, right side. The missile entered over the right angle of the jaw, and emerged beneath the symphysis, comminuting the jaw between both wounds. Several spiculæ of bone were removed on the field. He was, on December 4th, admitted to 2d division hospital, Alexandria. On admission, the right side of the jaw had fallen in considerably, and the patient was weak and anæmic. Opiates, stimulants, and tonics were administered, and chicken broth, beef tea, and farina ordered. Secondary hæmorrhage from one of the external carotid arteries occurred December 10th, amounting to ten ounces of blood, which was controlled by the application of persulphate of iron. The patient stated that he had recurrent hæmorrhages. The horizontal ramus of the lower jaw is gone, and he can eat fluid food only. He was discharged the service March 7th, 1864, and pensioned on March 15th. Examining Surgeon H. L. Hodge reports that he has great difficulty in swallowing and very imperfect speech. His mind is weakened; disability total, probably permanent. The case is reported by Acting Assistant Surgeon J. G. McKee.