Civil War Washington

CASE.—Private Anthony H. Rabell, Co. I, 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers, aged 27 years, was wounded at Spottsylvania​, Virginia, May 8th, 1864, by a conoidal ball, which entered left chest four inches below axilla, fractured fourth and fifth ribs, passed through the pericardium, and was removed from middle portion of sternum. He was taken to Fifth Corps hospital, and, on May 14th, admitted to Harewood Hospital, Washington. Supporting treatment, with rest and quiet, was adopted. He was furloughed on July 12th, and returned to hospital September 18th; was again furloughed October 30th, and readmitted November 25th, 1864. February 4th, 1865, the wound had entirely healed; he complained of a difficulty in lying down, and required his shoulders to be raised in order to obtain rest; this was probably caused by adhesions that had taken place. He was discharged the service June 6th, 1865. The case is reported by Surgeon R. B. Bontecou, U. S. V. Pension Examiner George S. Gale, New York City, reports, January 1st, 1869, that the ball entered three inches below and back of left nipple, passed up and forward to sternum, injuring the bone, and causing pleuritis and consequent adhesions; there was shortness of breathing on severe exercise; the muscular adhesions along the track of the ball, particularly, cripple the action of left arm by rendering the pectoral muscles nearly powerless.