Civil War Washington

Case from the case-book of the L'OUVERTURE HOSPITAL, Alexandria, Virginia, Surgeon Edwin Bentley, U. S. V., in charge. All the patients were colored men, most of them sent to Alexandria from the hospital for colored troops, City Point, Virginia.

CASE 555.—Private John Smith, company C, 29th United States colored troops; admitted from his regiment May 31, 1864. Inguinal hernia. When first seen by the reporter, September 9th, he was suffering from distressing dyspepsia, for which he was treated with gentian, quinia and other tonics, bismuth, stimulants, &c. Vomiting occurred constantly shortly after eating, even when the lightest diet was employed; nevertheless, his appetite seemed good. The pain after eating was so severe at times as to require anodynes. He had also occasional attacks of diarrhœa, lasting about a day, and ceasing spontaneously without the use of remedies. Between these attacks he was sometimes constipated, so as to require laxatives. At one time the abdominal pain was so severe that a blister was applied, with temporary relief. He finally refused medicine, and for more than a month took none except occasional anodynes when the pain was severe. December 5th: He was attacked with severe diarrhœa, the stools being cream-colored and yeasty in appearance. He failed rapidly, and died December 7th. Autopsy eighteen hours after death: Body much emaciated. The intestines were firmly adherent to each other and to the abdominal walls; they were extensively ulcerated. There was a double inguinal hernia.—Acting Assistant Surgeon E. P. Luce.