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Death of 23rd NC soldier from chloroform

The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, part II, vol. II, p. 242 describes the case of a soldier from Company E, 23rd North Carolina, identified only as William L----, aged 24 years, wounded at South Mountain 14 Sep 1862. He was first treated at Middletown, then was transferred to hospital #1 in Frederick, Maryland, where Dr. Redfern Davies described his case. Davies was a volunteer surgeon from Birmingham, England who was stationed at the hospital. Davies reported a ball had entered his groin very near the femoral artery and made its exit at the tuber ischii, fracuring the latter ... admitted [at Frederick hospital] on October 22 ... had bad bed sores ... severe diarrhea and had lost flesh [weight?]. On October 28 chloroform was administered to remove the fragments of the ischium .. administered by Dr. Adams [Acting Assistant Surgeon W. S. Adams] on a pocket handkerchief, which was pressed firmly against the mouth of the bottle, which was then inverted. Plenty of air was given and the handkerchief was wet with chloroform only once. About a minute almost complete relaxation was produced and two respirations were observed, when the handkerchief was immediately removed ... patient took some 10 or 12 deep and rather rapid inspirations, with quickened pulse, when respiration suddenly ceased; the pulse continued for six to eight beats which were slower and feeble, and then suddenly ceased. Artificial respiration was immediately resorted to by Marshall Hall's ready method, which produced distinct respiration but no pulsation ... after 20 minutes without result, gave up as hopeless [autopsy described].

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Death of 23rd NC soldier from chloroform
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