Title: Bessey, R.

Source text: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. (1861-65.), Part 2, Volume 2 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1876), 67-68.

Keywords:injuries of the abdomenpenetrating wounds of the abdomenwounds of the small intestinesgunshot woundswounds of the duodenumball entered right hypochondrium, emerged near tenth dorsal vertebrahæmatemesis, epigastric pain, bloody stoolsdejections tinged with blood

Civil War Washington ID: med.d2e31570

TEI/XML: med.d2e31570.xml


CASE 214.—Corporal R. Bessey, Co. A, 17th Vermont, aged 19 years, was wounded at Hanover Court House, May 31, 1864, by a musket ball, which entered the right hypochondrium, and emerged to the right of the tenth dorsal vertebra, implicating the duodenum and probably the liver. There was hæmatemesis and extreme epigastric tenderness and pain, followed by bloody stools. Surgeon James Harris, 7th Rhode Island, enjoined absolute rest, with abstinence and opiates. The patient was, however, sent to Washington, and Acting Assistant Surgeon E. B. Harris, at Emory Hospital, reports that there was much tension and tenderness of the abdomen, with nausea, and dejections tinged with blood. The case terminated fatally, June 18, 1864.