Title: Wells, F. M.

Source text: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. (1861-65.), Part 3, Volume 2 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1883), 723.

Keywords:wounds and complicationsshot woundseffect of missiles and projectiles on bony structurecomplete fractureslower femur amputated in middle thirdperforation with oblique fracture above seat of injurycomminuted fracture of femur above condylesgeneral anesthesia, chloroform

Civil War Washington ID: med.d2e25043

TEI/XML: med.d2e25043.xml


Specimen 1064 (FIG. 410) exhibits the lower portion of the left femur, amputated in the middle third for a perforation with oblique fracture above the seat of injury: Lieutenant F. M. Wells, Co. D, 132d Pennsylvania, received, at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, a comminuted fracture of the left femur just above the condyles. He was at once removed to the field hospital, and on May 6th was transferred to Washington and admitted into Armory Square Hospital. Shortly after admission he was placed under the influence of chloroform and the injured limb examined. It was decided to amputate the thigh at the middle, which operation was performed by the antero-posterior flap method, by Assistant Surgeon C. C. Byrne, U. S. A. The patient gradually sank, and died June 2, 1863.

FIG. 410—Lower half of left femur. Spec. 1064.