Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-05
Remarkable Wounds in the Crimea

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The London Medical Times and Gazette
publishes letter from q surgeon in the
Crimea, who gives an account of some re-
markable wounds that fell under his obser-
walton. We copy few of the most curious !:
Two artillery men stationed in the eight
gun battery were sitting or lying down en-
gagged in conversation, when shell exploded
as it approached their position. The head of
neckcloth, the tie of which was not disturbed.
The other was also mortally wounded.
Shell Wounds.-A seaman, knocked down
by fragment of mortar shell, was picked up
dead. The head was apparently swept from
his shoulders, but there was no trace of he
morrhage. On disentangling his clothes,
which were tightly jammed around the in
jured part, the head was found driven down.
ward into the chest, carrying with it a great
portion Of blue shirt and red comforter. A
small turf of hair alone was visible at the
bottom of deep cavity. 1t was regular
intussusception.
Au officer of engineers had Just entered
the battery, when a l3-nch mortar shell fell
close by him exploding as it struck the
ground.-One thigh was blown into the air
the other with its bones shattered throughout,
but retaining its continuity by means Of the
integuments, was thrown around the back OF
his neck, and hung pliantly over the opposite
shoulder, just as the arm of child might lie
in contact with its mothers neck. He lived
for few minutes.
A she'll was fired at group, principally
composed of sappers and miners. One was
killed, his face having been shot away. An.
other was carried up to the first parallel. bad
ly wounded. On examination, it was found
that half of the inferior maxiia of the deaC
man was driven into the roof of the secont
mans mouth.
A night or two after the capture Of the
quarries man was killed in them by shell
from the Redan. An officer of the 9th who
was standing close by, received several sever
superficial wounds from splinters. A foreigl
body was imbedded in the middle third of th
left thigh, which was easily ithdrawn by tn
finger. 1t was large portion Of one Of tn
cylindrical bones Of the man who had bee
killed; it was as sharp as chisel.
During the past winter q shot ricochette
with great force over one of the parapets
carrying away the cap from seaman's head
The man was little stunned, but no furthe
mischief ensued. When his cap was picke
up it contained a handful of hair, which ha
been shaved from the scalp by the shO
This would have been poser" for the ol
wind contuslonists.
A bombarder, at one of the mortar bate
les, while in the act of laying a mortar. wa
struck over the ribs by spent shot, wbic
had barely sufficient force to ricochet ove
the parapet and dropt into the covered wa.
AS soon as the man was struck he uttered
loud scream, and, as he fell, made convulsiy
death grasp, and seized the cap Of the Office
who was standing beside him. Death WI
instantaneous, although there was no mar
or breach of surface to show the site of ii
injury. Nothing could persuade his compal
ions against the idea of his having bee
killed by wind confusion"
This is war The same writer. states tht
the danger incurred by the medical men
the army is equal to that of the other officer
and sometimes greater. They are frequent
under fire.