Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-08
correspondence OF tue MISSIssIPPIAH'I
HOSPITAL GANGRENE.

MARION HOSPITAL, Marion, Ala, Oct.
17.-Ot all the diseases that are destruc-
tive of human life, | know of none that
presents more hideous aspect or is more
intOlerable to its victim than that which is
known TO this medical profession as Hospi-
tai Gangrene-so called from its frequent
occurrance or probable origin in military
hospitals. The actual destruction and
eating away Of flesh, muscles, sinews,
veins and arteries, whose progress is visi-
bic to the eye, afford picture Of horror
that is sickening and shocking even to the
experienced physician. This mass Of suf-
fering and pntrefaction will soon become
a corpse, to be transferred from the hospi-
tai to the private soldiers lonely burial
ground, unless the work Of death is speed
lily arrested and baffed.
Fortunately for its present and future
sufferers, | think, from what have wit
messed in this hospital, there is a method
of treating it which will inevitably cure it,
If it is commenced before any large vital
artery has been destroyed. [ have seen
more than one case restored to life and
comparative health, of whose recovery
gentlemen of large professional skill and
practice had entirel y despaired. [ do not
know who deserves the credit of original
ing the treatment, but the merits of its
introduction into this hospital is cheerfully
accorded y,its medical staff to Assistant
Surgeon John n. Holman, Of Marion,
Mississippi.
So uniformly successful has he been
(not having lost one case) that, by COM
mon consent, every case of gangrene is
committed to his care. | take pleasure in
recording this fact, as it is equally credita-
bic to the science and skill of an accom-
plished, Jealous young physician, and to
the candor and liberality Of his profess
sional brethren. As a lover of mankind
and friend of the soldier, | deem it my
duty to give publicity to his method of
managing it, to the efficacy of which
every one here can testify. At the same
time it is agreeable to bring before the
public the name Of gentleman who
could not enjoy that " thrift which follows
fawning," and who only aspires to reputa-
ton and position by the faithful discharge
of his duty and by an independent, honor
able life. Such men are rare and should
be cherished. He has had the kindness,
at my solicitation to give me the following
in writing. Trusting that it may be tried
in other hospitals, | have no fear in pre-
dieting the infallible curative power, if
anything Of mortal birth deserves that APP
pellation
The wound is first cleansed with warm
water. Then make solution of chloride
ofzinc, in the proportion of three drachms
to all ounce Of water, the wound is then
thoroughly packed with pledgets of lint
perfectly saturated with the solution
The pledgets are allowed to remain three
or four hours; they are then removed and
new ones applied in the same way. If
this course is rigidly pursued, it is very
seldom that more than one or two dres-
sings are required. The solid stick or
crystal Of chloride of zinc is to be prefer
red, if every part of the wound could be
reached by it, but owing to this uncer-
tainty, and the difficulty of procuring it,
it is always best and most certain to apply
the solution. This treatment, with the
occasional application of chlorinated soda,
Larrabaquess solution and with full diet,
whatever the patient wishes,) has arrest
ed and will cure the very worst cases.
The Protracted application of the caustic,
as above directed, is all important. The
simple hopping of the wound will not do.
Tue nse Of turpentine, creosote and
other articles of this class is useless and
unreliable, because they divert the atten-
ton of the physician from more active re.
NEEDLES, to which he must ultimately
resort. No hospital need be without this
chloride of zinc. Mr. G. P. L. Reed, one
OF the dispensary stewards Of this hospital,
who is very proficient as practical chem
lst and clever gentleman, informs mo
that 1t can be made in the following man.
neF The formula, he tells me, can be