Fractured humerus with healed amputation
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@ Center for the History of Medicine (Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine)
Morrison, Paul (photographer)
Description
Donated to the Warren Anatomical Museum by John Homans in 1870.Case history: From an active, and powerful man who served as an artillerist in the American Civil War. In 1864, his hand was severely injured by the premature discharge of a cannon. It was amputated at the wrist joint. Subsequently, the forearm was amputated twice, and the arm twice. Much morphine was prescribed for the pain by John Homans, who had performed the surgeries. 1 year after the first operation, the humerus was fractured resulting in neuralgia. After the fracture, also, there appeared a pulsating tumor below the clavicle. John Homans found it to be ill defined, not far from the size of a small lemon, and situated beneath the pectoral muscle, but not rising above the clavicle. John Homans regarded it as an aneurysm, and thought that it might perhaps explain the pain. The stump was removed on April 5, 1870. 20 ligatures were required. The wound was washed with alcohol and dressed. Hardly a drachm of pus was formed. On the 6th day, the edges of the wound had united, except where the ligatures hung out. On the day after the operation, 7 grains of morphine were required for the pain, and were taken by the mouth. Afterwards only 1 grain of morphine per day was required more from habit rather than from the pain. The pain disappeared after approximately 3 weeks. The aneurysm gradually diminished in size and pulsation. Proximal end of right humerus with healed fracture...
Bone Objects
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![[Unidentified surgeon and soldiers of the 74th New York Infantry Regiment performing an amputation outside the surgeon's tent at camp near Washington, D.C.]](https://d2l9jrtx1kk04i.cloudfront.net/c0846d2c2564f105c5e31783ab4f7f72ef7c4dc2.png "[Unidentified surgeon and soldiers of the 74th New York Infantry Regiment performing an amputation outside the surgeon's tent at camp near Washington, D.C.]")
