Axiell Internet Server 6 | Details | Bullet wound of the skull

Sidebar content	Main content
Actions	Bullet wound of the skull Remove from selection Add to selection Object numberGC.13837 TitleBullet wound of the skull CreatorCharles Bell (originator)‎ DescriptionSketch in oil, glazed, in wooden frame. Gunshot wound of the head. 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 notes: "Sketch of soldier, the ball entered in the forehead, penetrated the skull, and drove up the bone, elevating two portions at an angle. The scalp was cut upon at this part, the bone raised, and the ball extracted, as the dura mater was cut, I could expect nothing but fungus cerebri. I lost sight of the man and do not know his fate." While Bell does not know the fate of this man, the outlook was poor. He comments on fungus cerebri, or herniation of the brain. The bruising and infection caused by the passage of the musket ball would result in swelling of the brain, which would be mostly contained in the rigid confines of the skull. The hole in the skull would allow a portion of the brain to be pushed out. Combined with the damge to the dura mater, the tough membrane which covers the brain and acts as a barrier to infection. While people did occasionally survive dural damage and brain exposure at this point, it was exceptional. In these rare cases, survival would be accompanied by cerebral abscess and epilepsy. Production date c.post 1810-01-01 Object nameGunshot wound of the head Object categoryAnatomical, artwork Dimensions Framed Height: 51 cm Width: 45.5 cm Canvas Height: 34 cm Width: 28.5 cm

Object numberGC.13837

TitleBullet wound of the skull

CreatorCharles Bell (originator)‎

DescriptionSketch in oil, glazed, in wooden frame. Gunshot wound of the head. 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 notes: "Sketch of soldier, the ball entered in the forehead, penetrated the skull, and drove up the bone, elevating two portions at an angle. The scalp was cut upon at this part, the bone raised, and the ball extracted, as the dura mater was cut, I could expect nothing but fungus cerebri. I lost sight of the man and do not know his fate." While Bell does not know the fate of this man, the outlook was poor. He comments on fungus cerebri, or herniation of the brain. The bruising and infection caused by the passage of the musket ball would result in swelling of the brain, which would be mostly contained in the rigid confines of the skull. The hole in the skull would allow a portion of the brain to be pushed out. Combined with the damge to the dura mater, the tough membrane which covers the brain and acts as a barrier to infection. While people did occasionally survive dural damage and brain exposure at this point, it was exceptional. In these rare cases, survival would be accompanied by cerebral abscess and epilepsy.

Production date c.post 1810-01-01

Object nameGunshot wound of the head

Object categoryAnatomical, artwork

Dimensions

Item request date
Expected return date
Destination