Title: Beck, W. J.

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), 205.

Keywords:wounds and injuries of the lower extremitiesinjuries of the shaft of the femurexcisions in the continuity of the femur for shot injuryprimary excisions in the shaft of the femurfatal cases of primary excision in the shaft of the femurshot wound of thighfracture of middle of upper third of femurfemoral shaft stripped of periosteum

Civil War Washington ID: med.d2e9951

TEI/XML: med.d2e9951.xml


CASE 416.—Private W. J. Beck, Co. D, 2d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, aged 18 years, was wounded at Petersburg, June 18, 1864. Surgeon M. K. Hogan, U. S. V., recorded his admission to the field hospital of the 1st division, Ninth Corps, with "shot wound of left thigh." Surgeon N. R. Moseley, U. S. V., reported the following: "The patient was admitted to Emory Hospital, Washington, June 24th, with fracture of the middle of the upper third of the left femur, caused by a minié ball, and resulting in resection, which operation was performed on the field on June 19th. The treatment consisted of cold-water dressings, and stimulants and nutritious diet. Death occurred July 8, 1864." The upper third of the injured femur was contributed to the Museum by Acting Assistant Surgeon W. H. Ensign, and is represented in the cut (FIG. 167). The specimen shows no bony deposit, and the shaft is stripped of periosteum for some distance below the seat of the injury.

FIG. 167.—Upper third of left femur, showing excision. Spec. 2816.