Civil War Washington

The following case is extracted from the case-book of BAXTER HOSPITAL, Burlington, Vermont, Acting Assistant Surgeon Samuel W. Thayer in charge:

CASE 96.—Private Calvin Washburn, company K, 2d Vermont volunteers; admitted February 12, 1864. Chronic diarrhœa. [This man appears on the regimental returns of the 2d Vermont as taken on sick report, January 1, 1864, with chronic diarrhœa. The disease resisting treatment, he was admitted, February 2d, to Emory hospital, Washington, D. C., where he was treated for the same disease, and thence transferred to this hospital.] At the time of admission he was very much emaciated. He stated that he had suffered from chronic diarrhœa about six months, but had improved very much while in hospital in Washington. His pulse was feeble; his tongue pale. Ordered a nutritious diet and stimulants. He apparently continued to improve, and had a good appetite. About midnight, March 29th, the attending surgeon was summoned and found him complaining of a severe pain in the abdomen, respiration hurried, pulse rapid and feeble. Gave quarter of a grain of sulphate of morphia and stimulants. Died March 31st, at 8 o'clock P. M. Autopsy twelve hours after death: The cavity of the thorax contained a large quantity of serum. There were pleuritic adhesions on the right side. Both lungs were filled with tubercles. The liver was somewhat softened, and a cyst was found in the lower portion of its right lobe. The colon was extensively ulcerated and nearly eaten through in two places.