Civil War Washington

Remittent ending fatally.—CASE 42.—Private Christopher Commars, 69th Co. 1st Batt. V. R. C.; age 22; was admitted November 11, 1863, with remittent fever. He said he had been sick for six days, but had continued on duty although he suffered from a chill on the 10th. On the 11th he had a severe chill and was seen by the medical officer of the day, who ordered him into the ward. Two grains of quinine were given three times a day. On the 12th he had vomiting, and pain and tenderness in the left side of the chest. The quinine was omitted and three grains of calomel ordered every four hours until four powders had been taken, with a Seidlitz powder after the last dose. The bowels were moved on the 13th, but the vomiting continued until death on the 15th. During his sickness the patient expressed no anxiety as to its result; he was confident that he would be able to return to duty in a few days.—Act. Ass't Surg. Henry M. Dean, U. S. A., Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C.