Commentaries on the Surgery of the War in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands: from the battle of Roliça, in 1808, to that of Waterloo, in 1815; with additions relating to those in the Crimea in 1854-55, showing the improvements made during and since that period in the great art and science of surgery on all the subjects to which they relate. — John Shaqi
Commentaries on the Surgery of the War in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands: from the battle of Roliça, in 1808, to that of Waterloo, in 1815; with additions relating to those in the Crimea in 1854-55, showing the improvements made during and since that period in the great art and science of surgery on all the subjects to which they relate.Guthrie, G. J. (George James)
History
Commentaries on the Surgery of the War in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Netherlands: from the battle of Roliça, in 1808, to that of Waterloo, in 1815; with additions relating to those in the Crimea in 1854-55, showing the improvements made during and since that period in the great art and science of surgery on all the subjects to which they relate.
Guthrie, G. J. (George James)
Crimean War, 1853-1856 -- Medical care; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- Medical care; Surgery, Military -- Europe -- History; War wounds -- Europe -- History
usually accompanies mortification from constitutional causes. In a day
or two more, the gangrene will frequently extend, when the limb swells,
becomes painful, and more streaked or mottled in color; the swelling
passes the knee, the thigh becomes œdematous, the patient more feverish
and anxious, then delirious, and dies.
An extreme case will best exemplify the practice to be pursued. A
soldier is wounded by a musket-ball at the upper part of the middle
third of the thigh, and on the third day the great toe has become
of a tallowy color and has lost its life. What is to be done? Wait
with the hope that the mortification will not extend. Suppose that
the approaching mortification has not been observed until it has
invaded the instep. What is to be done? Wait, provided there are no
constitutional symptoms; but if they should present themselves, or the
discoloration of the skin should appear to spread, amputation should
be performed forthwith, for such cases rarely escape with life if it
be not done. Where in such a case should the amputation be performed?
I formerly recommended that it should be done at the part injured in
the thigh. I do not now advise it to be done there at an early period,
when the foot only is implicated; but immediately below the knee, at
that part where, if mortification ever stops and the patient survives,
it is usually arrested; for the knee is by this means saved, and the
great danger attendant on an amputation at the upper third of the thigh
is avoided. The upper part of the femoral artery, if divided, rarely
offers a secondary hemorrhage. The lower part, thus deprived by the
amputation of its reflex blood, can scarcely do so; and if it should,
the bleeding may be suppressed by a compress. The blood will be dark
colored. If the upper end should bleed, the blood will be arterial, and
by jets, and the vessel must be secured by ligature.
29. When from some cause or other amputation has not been performed,
and the mortification has stopped below the knee, it is recommended
to amputate above the knee after a line of separation has formed
between the dead and the living parts. This should not be done. The
amputation should be performed in the dead parts, just below the line
of separation, in the most cautious and gentle manner possible, the
mortified parts which remain being allowed to separate by the efforts
of nature. A joint will be saved, and the patient have a much better
chance for life.
30. A wound of the axillary artery rarely leads to mortification of the
fingers or hand. If it should do so, the principle of treatment should
be similar, although the saving of the elbow is not so important as
that of the knee: neither is the amputation in the axilla, below the
tuberosities of the humerus, as dangerous as that above the knee.
31. Mortification after the sudden application of intense cold or heat
is to be treated on similar principles.
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