Civil War Washington

CASE 68.—Corporal E. D. Goodell, Co. D, 25th Massachusetts, aged 21 years, was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. Surgeon S. A. Richardson, 13th New Hampshire, recorded his admission to the Eighteenth Corps field hospital with "shot wound of right ankle." Surgeon R. B. Bontecou, U. S. V., reported the result of the injury as follows: "The patient entered the Harewood Hospital, Washington, June 10th, with shot wound of right foot near os calcis, the ball severing the tendo-achilles. On admission, he was very weak. The parts were swollen and suppurating freely, and became subsequently gangrenous, the tarsal and metatarsal bones denuded. An operation was deemed necessary, and performed on July 22d by Acting Assistant Surgeon B. F. Butcher, who amputated the leg at the lower third by the circular method. Sulphuric ether was used. The patient improved after the operation, and was furloughed August 17th, the stump looking well." The bones of the amputated ankle were contributed to the Museum by the operator, and constitute specimen 3332 of the Surgical Section. In December following the man was admitted to Dale Hospital, Worcester, whence Surgeon C. H. Chamberlain, U. S. V., reported that the stump assumed a large suppurating surface with several sinuses leading to diseased bone, and that on February 20, 1865, he removed a sequestrum eight inches in length by a longitudinal incision. After this the patient was reported as having made excellent progress, and the stump as being nearly healed on March 31st. He was ultimately discharged from the Soldiers' Rest, at Boston, October 31, 1863, and pensioned. The pensioner was paid March 4, 1877.