Civil War Washington

CASE 541.—Private J. McAllister, Co. C, 72d Pennsylvania, was wounded in the right knee, at the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, by a minié ball, which entered four inches above the external condyle and lodged on the outside of the patella, without perforating the capsular ligament. Surgeon D. Prince, U. S. V., reports that the following treatment was resorted to in the case: "The bone was cut down upon and the missile pulled out. No inflammation of the joint ensued until the eleventh day after the injury, when the joint swelled and became excruciatingly painful, attended with free discharge of synovia from the wound in front, on the outer side of the patella. On May 18th, this opening was enlarged and a counter-opening was made behind the external lateral ligament and tendon of the biceps, the patient being under the influence of ether. The limb was subjected to moderate extension for the following purposes: 1st, to separate the opposing joint surfaces and obviate the ulceration attending contact and pressure, at the same time lessening the amount of irritation; 2d, to obviate the caries and necrosis of bone apt to follow, and making bony anchylosis impossible; 3d, to preserve the limb in a position to be afterwards useful. The patient was relieved of suffering by the incision and experienced a feeling of comfort from the moderate extension." The records in this case show that the patient was admitted to the field hospital of the 2d division, Second Corps, with "shot wound of knee," and Surgeon T. R. Crosby, U. S. V., reported that the man entered Columbian Hospital, Washington, May 28th, with "shot wound of right knee joint," of which he died on the following day, May 29, 1864.