Civil War Washington

CASE 115.—Symptoms of typhoid in a case entered as remittent; discharged on account of rheumatism.—Private L. Pettit, Co. D, 3d Mich. Vols.; age 22; of delicate constitution and liable to pulmonary troubles, was admitted Oct. 19, 1861, as a case of remittent fever. Next day his eyes were bright, cheeks slightly flushed, pulse 74 and regular, skin somewhat above the natural temperature, tongue moist, fissured and faintly coated yellow, appetite good; he had a slight cough, pain in the back and limbs, relaxed bowels, tympanites and general abdominal tenderness, marked in the right iliac region. Two rose-colored spots were discovered on the 21st, the symptoms otherwise remaining as stated. Twelve grains of quinine and two of opium were given daily in divided doses, with Dover's powder at night. On the 24th the skin became moist. Next day he was wakeful, his eyes dull and cheeks congested. Two drachms of sulphate of magnesia with one-twelfth of a grain of tartar emetic were given in the morning and two compound cathartic pills at night. After this he seemed to improve, his pulse, tongue and skin becoming natural and appetite good, he slept well, and on the 29th was out of bed and dressed; but on this day his eyes were bright, cheeks somewhat flushed, pulse 80, and he had pain in the hip, knee and ankle-joints, which continued until his transfer, November 1, to Annapolis, Md. [Diagnosis—rheumatism; patient discharged from service on the 29th.]