Title: Koppen, William

Source text: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. (1861-65.), Part 2, Volume 1 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1879), 155.

Keywords:diarrhœa and dysenteryfatal cases of diarrhœa and dysentery, with accounts of the morbid appearances observedfrom the Douglas Hospital, Washington, D. C.chronic diarrhœasevere onychia on fingers and toestyphoid symptoms, stupor, loose bowels, sordes on teethdeliriumabscess of anterior thigh, below anterior superior spinous process of ileumabscess extended to exterior capsule of hip-jointPeyer's patches visiblerectum ulcerated, ulcers varied from size of pea to large almondpleuritic adhesionsliver fattyautopsy performed

Civil War Washington ID: med.d1e40949

TEI/XML: med.d1e40949.xml


Case from the case-book and medical descriptive lists of the DOUGLAS HOSPITAL, Washington, D. C., Assistant Surgeon William F. Norris in charge from October, 1864, to September, 1865:


CASE 326.—Private William Koppen, company C, 7th New York volunteers; age 20; admitted June 5, 1865. Chronic diarrhœa. This man was excessively emaciated, and had severe onychia on several of his fingers and toes. He had typhoid symptoms, such as stupor, loose bowels, and sordes on the teeth; very little fever. Treatment: Tonics and nourishing food. June 27th: Cod-liver oil in porter. July 1st: Severe diarrhœa set in. The former remedies were then discontinued, and two grains of quinine directed thrice daily, with tincture of the chloride of iron every four hours; also milk and lime-water ad libitum. Subsequently quarter of a grain of nitrate of silver and half a grain of opium every four hours. At times the patient complained of excessive pain in the upper third of the left thigh, but could move the hip-joint on the affected side without any pain or inconvenience. July 11th: An abscess was detected in the anterior portion of the left thigh, about three inches below the anterior superior spinous process of the ileum. July 15th: Assistant Surgeon William F. Norris, U. S. A., opened the abscess, evacuating a quantity of thin fetid pus. ℞. Citrate of iron and quinia, four grains, three times daily; an ounce of sherry wine every three hours. In the evening there was high fever and profuse perspiration. July 16th: The discharge still continues; the fever and sweating have increased. July 21st: ℞. Aromatic sulphuric acid, five drops, every three hours. July 22d: The diarrhœa is worse. July 26th: Had eight stools in the last twenty-four hours, accompanied by dysenteric symptoms. July 28th: Is losing strength; countenance sharp; profuse perspiration. July 29th: Ten stools. August 1st: Delirious. Died, August 3d, at 3.30 A. M. Autopsy ten hours after death: Body excessively emaciated. The abscess was found to extend to the exterior of the capsule of the left hip-joint. There were slight pleuritic adhesions on both sides, apparently of recent date. The lungs were healthy. The liver fatty. The spleen enlarged and softened. The kidneys normal. Peyer's patches were very visible. The rectum was ulcerated, the ulcerations varying from the size of a pea to that of a large almond. The mucous membrane was thickened.—Acting Assistant Surgeon Carlos Carvallo.