Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-11-09
l'o'' ssponderce Of the Mississippian.]
HOSPITAL GANGRENE.

MARION HOSPITAL, Marion, Ala, Oct.
17.-Of all the diseases that are destruc
tive of human life. I know of none that
presents more hdeous 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
occarlance 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 Il picture of horror
that is sickening and shocking even to The
experienced physician. This mass of sut-
fering and pntretaction 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 batfied.
Fortunately for its present and future
sufferers, l think, from what l have wit
messed in this hospital, there is 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 ono case restored to life and
comparative health, OF whose recovery
gentlemen Of large professional skill and
practice had entirely despaired. [ do not
know who deserves the credit of originat-
ing The treatment, but the merits of it's
introduction into this hospital is cheerfuly
accorded by its medical staff to Assistant
Surgeon John N. Holman, of Marion,
Mississippi.
So uniformly successful has he been
| (not having lost one CASEY that, by COM
mon consent, every case of gangrene is
committed to his care. l take pleasure in
recording this fact, as it is equally credita-
/; BILE to the science and skill of an accom-
plished, Jealous young physician, and to
the, candor and liberality of his profess
sional brethren. As lover Of mankind
and friend of the soldier, deem it nv
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 "thritt which follows
fawnng," 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, l have no fear in pre-
=. dieting the infallible curative power, if
anything Of mortal birth deserves that ap-
pel'ation
The wound is first cleansed with warm
water. Then make a solution Of chloride
ofzinc, in the proportion of three drachms
to an 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. II
this course is rigidly pursued, it is very
seldom that more than one or two dres-
sings are required. The solid stick OF
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
Uarrabaluess solution and with full diet
whatever the patient wishes,) has arrest
ed and will cure the very worst cases.
The protraeted application of the caustic
as above directed, is all important. TIL,
simple moppisg Of the wound will not do
The use of turpentine, creosote ant
other articles Of this class is useless AM
unreliable, because they divert the atten
ton of the physician from more active re
NEEDLES, to which he must ultimatel
resort. No hospital need be without thi
chloride of zinc. Mr.: G. P. L. Reed, on
. OF the dispensary stewards Of this hospital
} who is very proficient as practical chen
ist and clever gentleman, informs m
3 that it can be made in the following man
g ner. Tie formula, he tells ma can b