Gamshot Fractures of the Femur. 177 



condition — pus was discharging copiously from the wound on the outside 

 of the thigh, and it was with difficulty that the long splint could be kept 

 applied. No union whatever seemed to have taken place, which opinion 

 was confirmed on the 22nd by making an examination while the patient 

 was under chloroform. As the patient was getting every day weaker, the 

 limb was amputated on the 23rd, above the seat of fracture. Although 

 still weak, he continued to improve for two weeks, and hopes were 

 entertained that he would do well. Unfortunately, hectic fever came on, 

 and he sank about a month after the amputation." (Vide "Edinburgh 

 Medical Journal," January 1857.) 



The fracture has been about the middle of the shaft, and 

 the bone has been severely comminuted. Upon two of the 

 fragments, at the outer side, there is the appearance of a circular 

 aperture, possibly where the bone was struck. These two 

 fragments, as well as others near, have necrosed, and have been 

 separated from the surrounding bone by granulation. Upon 

 the main piece of the shaft, near the seat of fracture, a few 

 spicules of necrosis in process of separation are seen, and also an 

 irregular crust of periosteal bone, which in some places is 

 heaped up to a considerable height. G. C. 2415. 



Presented by Daw ID Greig, F.R.C.S.E., Dundee. 



GUNSHOT FRACTURES FROM THE AMERICAN WAR, 1861-1865. 



The following tiuelve specimens were obtained from the battle-fields of Manassas, 

 Spottsylvania, and Petersburg, and ijcere presented to the Museum by Surgeon- 

 General Billings, Superintendent of the Army Medical Musetcm, Washington. 

 They may be considered tyjncal sx>ecimens of their Tcind, illustrating the form of 

 injuries liToduced by rifle bullets in the late American War. 



8. 379. Gunshot Fracture of the Shaft of a Femur.— Lower 



half of aright femur comminuted above the condyles — macerated, 



the fragments wired together. 



There is an oval aperture on the front, about three inches 



above the level of the condyles, with its edges somewhat 



bevelled internally and sharp externally. On the posterior 



aspect is another irregular aperture, at a higher level, and further 



out than the other, and with its margins bevelled externally. 



The bone in the neighbourhood is broken up into numerous 

 M 



