The National tribune., 1885-12-17
She Saved His Arm,

To THE EDITOR: You will remember sent
you last June story of man on board the
steamer John J. Roe whose ankle was out of
joint and the Surgeon had not noticed it, and
found it out and helped set it. Well, have
heard from that man. He found out where l
was or am living by that story, and wrote to
me, and says it was my evidence on that case
which he needed to enable him to get his PEN
sion; and as he says he is a poor man and
needs his pension, hope he may get it. And
now will give you another short story; perhaps
l shall hear from this.
While on board the steamer Imperial, coming
down from Pittsburg Landing, heard the Sur
geon in charge say, Put him in Mrs. Sinnott's
ward" Then some one made reply, which did
not hear, and the Surgeon answered, Yes she
will; she takes good care of her boys" / left
the mustard plaster / was spreading and hur-
ried out-my ward was on the guards-to see
what was wanted, and found two men bringing
young man on a stretcher. In moment
had a cot ready, upon which they laid him, per-
fectly exhausted. 1 asked the Surgeon what
was the matter with him. He said he had lost
the forefnger of his right band, and had taken
cold in it, and now his whole arm was affected.
"To-morrow," said the doctor, Il shall take
it off at the shoulder. Give him the best the
boat affords, and put 8 hot faxseed poutice
on from the shoulder to the tips of the fingers"
On examining found the arm swollen as full
as the skin could hold without bursting, and a
deep red from inflammation; the back of the
hand had been lanced in two places; and as he
was very weak, gave him some wine and beef
tea. / made the poultice as directed, and
spread it; then, with basin of tepid water and
sponge | rubbed the arm from the shoulder
down. When lie became faint l put on the
poultice and gave him wine and as the poultice
was cold l wet it with cold water, and gave
him cold water to drink l think this was
nft 7 oolla cd fric fo inbf fan
the bandage before evening. / wet it with cold
water, say, every hour. l went through the
same process in the evening, rubbing from the
shoulder down. The arm was pink color, the
swelling perceptibly diminished. / gave orders
to the night watch to keep the arm wet with
cold water and give him all the water he would
drink. In the morning the arm was spotted
pale pink and white, and the swelling had les
sened very much.
Being sure l could save the arm I said moth
ing to the Surgeon, but worked faithfully all
day, and gave the night watch the same direc-
tions as before On the second morning the
swelling and Inflammation were entirely gone,
except small place on the inside of the wrist
After washing the arm clean, / went into the
cabin and asked the Surgeon if he was ready to
take off that arm? He rose hastily, saying
"Yes meant to have done it yesterday, but
forgot it; he is still alive?" / told him the
young man was still living. When he saw the
patient sitting up, and the arm lying on the
Oicloth soft and white it is the truth to say he
was astonished. He inquired what had done
to it. l replied, 81 have put on cold poultices
and kept it wet with cold water" "The ID
you have" said he, and told the young man it
would not be necessary to take the arm of. He
went into the cabin, and 1 heard him say,
Bixby, as sure as you live Mrs. Sinnott has
saved that boys arm, and l think his life."-
Mrs L. II. SINNOTT, Brimfeld, Ill.