Civil War Washington

CASE 451.—Private D. Nicholson, Co. H, 22d Massachusetts, aged 23 years, was wounded in both thighs, at Spottsylvania​, May 10, 1864. He was admitted to the field hospital of the 1st division, Fifth Corps, where Surgeon J. Thomas, 118th Pennsylvania, amputated both limbs. Surgeon R. B. Bontecou, U. S. V., reported the following termination of the case: "The patient entered Harewood Hospital, Washington, May 25th. He had undergone amputation of both thighs at the lower third the same day he received the wound, the operations being performed by the antero-posterior flap method. When admitted he was in a very weak condition, the stumps being unhealthy and showing a tendency to slough. A supporting treatment was administered. Progress, however, continued unfavorable. Death occurred from exhaustion May 28, 1864." The amputated portions of the femurs were contributed to the Museum by the operator, and constitute Specimen 2966 of the Surgical Section (FIGS. 186, 187), showing the right femur to be transversely perforated, with comminution, two inches above the condyle, by a bullet which passed on, badly grooving the left femur on the anterior face at the same level and producing a severe oblique fracture.