Femur showing a gunshot fracture

.jpg&folderId=2323&width=200&height=200&imageformat=jpg)
.jpg&folderId=2323&width=200&height=200&imageformat=jpg)
.jpg&folderId=2323&width=200&height=200&imageformat=jpg)
Object numberGC.2415
TitleFemur showing a gunshot fracture
DescriptionFemur showing a gunshot fracture that occurred in the Battle of Alma
The preparation is the distal two-thirds of a left femur .
“J.B. aet. 34, a private in the Grenadier Guards, was wounded at the battle of Alma, on the 20th Sept, 1854. Was in the act of advancing when he was struck by a rifle ball, which entered on the outside, between the lower and middle thirds. Little blood was lost - he felt as if struck by a stick. He reeled a short distance in front of the line, and fell, Four days afterwards, when on board ship, the ball was removed, by making an incision at the opposite side of the thigh. When I got charge of him at Scutari (12th Nov.), he was in a very weak condition - pus was discharging copiously from the wound on the outside of the thigh and it was with difficulty that the long splint could be kept applied, no union whatever seemed to have taken place -which opinion was confirmed on the 22nd, by making on examination while the patient was under chloroform. As the patient was getting every day weaker, the limb was amputated on the 23rd, above the seat of fracture. Although still weak, he continued to improve for two weeks,' and we had hopes he would do well. Unfortunately hectlc fever came on, and he sunk about a month after the amputation. On examination of the limb, the femur was found very much comminuted, between the lower and middle thirds, callus had been thrown out, enclosing large pieces of dead bone and & part of the ball, The preparation is now in the College of Surgeons' Museum." (D Greig, Ed Med Journ, 1857, ii. 609 - attached)
There has been considerable comminution and areas of the bone in the neighbourhood of the fracture are white, smooth, necrotic and in process of separation. Around these sequestra a good deal of new bone has been formed as light porous masses and ridges. The surface of the compact bone of the diaphysis not related to the fracture is finely rough and striated from decalcification and slight new bone formation.
Production placeCRIMEA
Production date accurate 1854-11-23 - 1854-11-23
Production periodNineteenth century
Object nameBONE, femur
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen
Dimensions
- Jar Height: 36.5 cm
Width: 9 cm
Length: 11 cm