UPON SALUBRITY OF A SURGICAL HOSPITAL 



129 



On the other hand, we have — 



During the Antiseptic Period. 

 1867 



No. of 

 Amputations. Recoveries. Deaths. 



Seat of Amputation. 



Arm 

 Forearm 



Knee 

 Leg 

 Ankle . 



Totals 



Shoulder 

 Forearm 



Tliigh . 

 Knee 

 Ankle . 



2 

 I 

 I 



I 



2 



2 

 I 

 I 



o 

 o 



o 



o 

 o 



o 



1868 



Totals 



1869 



Shoulder 



Arm 

 Forearm 



Thigh . 

 Knee 

 Leg 

 Ankle . 



Totals 



16 



13 



Comparing the aggregate results, we have — 



Before the antiseptic period, 16 deaths in 35 cases ; or i death in every 

 2| cases. 



During the antiseptic period, 6 deaths in 40 cases ; or i death in every 

 6| cases. 



These numbers are, no doubt, too small for a satisfactory statistical com- 

 parison ; but, when the details are considered, they are highly valuable with 

 reference to the question we are considering. This is especially the case with 

 amputation in the upper limb, where neither injuries requiring primary amputa- 

 tion nor the operations involve, as a general rule, much loss of blood or shock 

 to the system ; so that, if death does occur, it is commonly the result of the 

 wound assuming unhealthy characters. It happens that there were tweh'e ampu- 

 tations altogether in the upper limb in each of tlic two periods referred to. Of 

 the twelve cases before the antiseptic period, no fewer than six died — a frightful 

 mortality certainly. And it is recorded that, of those six, four died of i\\-aemia 

 and one of hospital gangrene. Also that one of those which recovered had 

 l^yaemia ; but, though tlic symptoms were well marked and severe, presented 

 an example, unhappily too rare, of recovery from the disease. 



