Civil War Washington

CASE 913.—Private P. Pero, Co. C, 2d New York Cavalry, aged 22 years, was wounded in the right foot, while on picket duty near Alexandria, May 5, 1864. Surgeon C. Powers, 160th New York, in charge of the Alexandria Hospital, made the following report: "The ball entered at the inner side of the middle of the metatarsal bone of the great toe and emerged over that of the little toe. The first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal bones were shattered. The patient suffered considerable pain. Two days after the injury excision of the first metatarsal bone was performed and the shattered fragments of the second, third, and fourth were removed by Assistant Surgeon C. H. Andrus, 128th New York. Chloroform was used, and the patient reacted promptly. He did well afterwards. Five days after the operation considerable hæmorrhage occurred, but was completely arrested by light pressure on the dorsal artery. Simple water dressings were used. The case was still doing well when the patient was, on May 22d, transferred to University Hospital at New Orleans." Surgeon S. Kneeland, U. S. V., in charge of the latter hospital, reported the result of the case as follows: "The whole foot became greatly swollen, purulent inflammation having occurred on the dorsal and plantar surfaces; several of the bones became disorganized and the tibio-tarsal articulation completely anchylosed; patient greatly reduced by the excessive suppuration; pulse 78; appetite tolerably good. He also suffered from chronic diarrhœa and intermittent fever, from which he had recovered on June 20th, when the leg was amputated at the middle third by Acting Assistant Surgeon F. Hassenburg. Chloroform was used, and the hæmorrhage attending the operation was slight. Under a supporting diet and cool dressings the patient did well up to June 30th. He died from the effects of chronic diarrhœa July 15, 1864."