With the exception of four shell-wounds, all were caused by small projectiles a fact accounted for by both the comparative infrequency and fatality of shell-wounds.

It will be seen from the foregoing table that the total number of cases was two hundred and seventy-one; that the total number of deaths was thirty-seven, that the per centage of deaths was thirteen.

There were thirty-four amputations performed, eight deaths resulting thereafter, making twenty-four per cent. of deaths subsequent to amputation. The adjoining table exhibits the mortality following amputations of the several parts:

It is proper to state that the circular operation was performed wherever practicable, and in the majority of cases.

The death against the amputations of the forearm was caused by a wound of the right lung, received simultaneously with that of the

arm.

Of the three deaths against amputations of the leg, one case died of tetanus—one suffered amputation of both legs simultaneouslyand one was a secondary operation, and died of pyæmia.

Of the four deaths against amputions of the thigh, two cases died of tetanus-two died of pyæmia, and were secondary operations—all were at or above middle third of the thigh.

In all, there were three secondary amputations, and all proved fatal-death occurring from pyæmia.

One resection of the shoulder-joint was successfully performed by Dr. Lewis, now of Alexandria, Va., very soon after the receipt of the wound. The head of the humerus was removed with an inch of the shaft. I am told that at this time the patient perceives little dif ference in the utility of his arms.

No secondary hemorrhage occurred to complicate any case.

Nine fractures occurred not requiring operative interference beyond the simple removal of comminuted bone. All promised to make a good recovery at the time they were removed to the general hospital. The situation and relative numbers of the fractures is as follows:

Forearm, two; humerus, four; clavical, one; leg, one; thigh, one; fractures requiring no operative interference, nine.

Visceral wounds were attended with the following mortality:

Wounds of joints were attended with the following mortality:

No operative interference was allowed in any of these wounds, ex

cept the resection of the shoulder-joint in one instance, and amputation in two instances.

The comparative liability of different regions to injury in battle, according to this report, as well as the number and per centage of deaths, may be seen from the following table:

Of seven cases of tetanus, three occurred after amputation-all died. Of the wounds of the abdomen, one is especially worthy of

mention.

It occurred to "John Dowdy, Company G, twenty-eighth regiment." He was struck by a minnie ball just below the ensiform cartilage, about five o'clock in the evening; the next morning he passed the ball by the rectum imbedded in natural fœces.

This is not so strange as the fact that he recovered without any appreciable constitutional disturbance beyond that produced by opium. The other deaths not accounted for (nine) occurred from the shock of wound, tetanus, dysentery and pyæmia.

THE FORCES OF ORGANIC LIFE-HOW INFLUENCED BY CHLOROFORM IN THE PRODUCTION OF ANÆSTHASIA AND DEATH.

BY Z. C. M'ELROY, M. D., OF ZANESVIIE, OHIO,

President Muskingum County Medical Society.

Many years since the writer is no longer young-the following incident was read, when or where, not now recollected.

An Englishman, after ship-wreck, found himself on an island, among a people whose language he did not understand. This added

so much to his other misfortunes and difficulties, that he conceived the idea that a common education in all civilized countries should include a universal language of signs, for the benefit of those who might possibly be thrown together speaking different languages. In due time he reached home, and immediately set about carrying his idea into practical effect. For this purpose he visited the great seats of learning in and about London, but met with little or no encouragement, save that at one of these he was informed that there was such a chair, with a professor, in Edinburgh. He at once hastened off to that city. Those in London who had told him this to get rid of him, finding him so much in earnest, wrote to some acquaintances connected with the University there, to humor his whim when he arrived, and give him an audience. On inquiry of the janitor åt Edinburgh, he was informed that there was a professor of a universal language by signs, and that he would be in his rooms at a certain hour. The matter was taken in hand by a few students, who imposed the duty of acting the professor upon the rather sharp witted janitor, who had lost an eye. At the appointed hour, the stranger was promptly at the University, and was conducted to the professor's room. On entering he held up one finger. The janitor, in reply, held up three. There were other signs exchanged, but these two serve my present purpose. After being bowed out of the professor's room, he was met by the mischievous students, who eagerly inquired of him about his interview. The Englishman replied by stating that on entering he held up one finger, to signify that there was but one God. The professor had held up three, signifying that God existed in the three persons, the Trinity, &c., &c. Their next object was to obtain the janitor's account; who said that the Englishman was very personal and impudent, for on entering the room, he had held up one finger to signify that he, the janitor, had but one eye. In return, he said he had held up three fingers, to signify that they had three eyes between them.

The article on "Death from Chloroform,"* by Dr. Jones of Circleville, O., recalled this incident to memory. Though our subjects are not identical, there is, nevertheless, a close relationship; sufficiently so, perhaps, to be practically treated as such. He thinks my theoretical explanation of the conversion of gravity into organic force,† in resuscitation from impending death, due to overdoses of choroform, very absurd. That may be so; but it seems to me he fails to show it * Western Journal of Medicine, July, 1869.

Loc. Cit., May, 1869.

to be so, either by facts or reasoning. That it was theoretical on my part is not an argument against the truth of the explanation given; for the only originator of action can be theory, and the choice lies between one that is hap-hazzard, and one that is adopted on rational grounds."*

Three facts are, however, recognized by both of us: One, that overdoses of chloroform have produced death; another, that by all quantities, small or large, life is often placed in jeopardy; third, that those so imperiled are frequently resuscitated.

Now, the actual death, or peril to life, after the inhalation of chloroform, and resuscitation from impending death, do not occur by chance or accident; but, like all other phenomena of organic life, are in obedience to invariable laws, and correct philosophic explanation of the events, hinges upon connecting them properly with the laws governing organic dynamics. Permit me, therefore, space for further explanation.

From our articles, it is evident that Dr. Jones and myself look at organic dynamics from very different stand-points, or the conclusions we arrive at would hardly vary so much; for they are as diverse as the interpretations of holding up one and three fingers, respectively, by the shipwrecked Englishman and Edinburgh janitor.

Through two decades of professional experience the human body and life were mysteries, and therapeutics a muddle; though Horner, Jackson and Wood had explained them to me, as they had done to thousands before and since. It was somehow comprehended, though not very clearly, that human bodies were constructed out of the food eaten; but then there were so many isolated and contradictory facts in regard to it, all resting on equally good "authority" in such matters, that I was contented to learn, in therapeutics, that "tetanus" had been "successfully treated with calabar bean," or that "chestnut leaves" were good for "whooping-cough," &c., &c. And so, chewing the cud of contentment, relied on "authority" in all matters professional; not, however, without many misgivings as to its propriety, and longings for a "more excellent way."

Some years since a review of a book was read whose subject was "The Correlation and Conservation of Forces." At that time I was somewhat anxiously casting about for a subject for a "valedictory address," to be delivered to the society which has so often honored me *London Quarterly Review, April, 1869.

From current Medical Journal.