Civil War Washington

CASE 647.—Private J. M. McGee, Co. E, 119th Pennsylvania, age 19 years, was wounded at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Surgeon E. B. P. Kelly, 95th Pennsylvania, recorded his admission to the field hospital of the 1st division, Sixth Corps, with "shot wound of right knee by a conical ball." Surgeon E. Bentley, U. S. V., who operated in the case, made the following report: "The patient entered Third Division Hospital, Alexandria, three weeks after receiving a wound of the right knee joint, the ball passing beneath the patella. The bones were not much fractured, but the joint was swollen and painful and the leg œdematous. Circular amputation at the knee joint, by skin flaps, was performed on June 2d, sulphuric ether being employed as the anæsthetic. At the time of the operation the patient had become very weak, his pulse quick and feeble, and he perspired considerably, had cough and spat up blood. He reacted very well. Tonics, stimulants, and nourishing diet were given, and simple dressings used. The wound healed up kindly, and the patient's general condition became much improved." The patient was subsequently treated at various hospitals, and finally, after being provided with an artificial leg, he was discharged September 9, 1865, and pensioned. Examining Surgeon E. A. Smith, of Philadelphia, certified to "amputation at the knee joint, with preservation of the patella." The pensioner was paid March 4, 1880. In his application for commutation he represented the stump of the amputated limb as being in a "sound" condition.