Gunshot wound of the humerus
Object numberGC.13835
TitleGunshot wound of the humerus
CreatorCharles Bell (originator)
DescriptionGunshot wound of the humerus. Sketch in oil, glazed, in wooden frame.
One of Charles Bell's paintings of a casualty from the Battle of Corunna and the retreat between 24 December 1808-11 January 1809. Bell treated some of the force that landed back in Britain at Portsmouth. There are fifteen images in all.
Bell's annotations: "This is a sketch in oil of a soldier wounded at Corunna, the ball struck the head of the humerus, and shattered it, passed through and wounded a rib. It was resolved to amputate at the shoulder joint, but the business of the hospital falling into the hands of those from whom I could get little information.
I left Haslar, before the operation was performed. It was reported to me that the patient sunk from the loss of blood, and it was this case that gave rise to my observations on the method of operating. I thought myself entitled to say that the method followed by our army surgeons was too bold, and not suited to common practice, and especially in the case like this, when the patient was reduced by a complication in the wound."
Bell criticised the case firstly for poor vascular control (possibly from the axillary artery), having already commented in one of his surgical texts that "It is of the greatest moment to save blood", especially in cases like this where there would already have been blood loss. Secondly, for carrying out such difficult surgery on a man who, as Bell acknowledges, was 'reduced' by a complication, which may have been infection through bacteria brought into the wound by the musket ball. While at this time there was no understanding of germ theory, the physical effects of infection would have been readily observable.
Production date c.post 1810-01-01
Object nameGunshot wound of the humerus
Object categoryAnatomical, artwork
Dimensions
- Framed Height: 68 cm
Width: 59 cm
Canvas Height: 41.5 cm
Width: 51.5 cm