File:Pvt. Cutler H. Rist (CP 1174), National Museum of Health and Medicine (5661477205).jpg

Pvt. Cutler H. Rist (CP 1174), National Museum of Health and Medicine

Description: Private Cutler H. Rist, Company C, 36th Wisconsin volunteers, who received a gunshot wound to the leg and knee joint during the battle of Coal [Cold?] Harbor, Virginia on June 3rd, 1864. An amputation was performed but did not adequately cover the stump at the knee, so a second operation was later performed. Following the second operation, the patient began to recover. Attended by Dr. J.C. McKee. Caption reads: “Preceding case.”

History is on reverse: “Lincoln General Hospital. Washington, D.C., March 4, 1865. Ward 5, Bed 36,--Name, Cutler H. Rist, Private, Co. C, 36th Regiment Wis. Vols. Admitted to this Hospital June 16, 1864, with left leg amputated at knee joint, the result of a gun-shot wound, received at the Battle of Coal Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864. Ball entering below the inner tubercle of Tibia, passing up and lodging in the knee-joint. The condition of patient and limb, on arriving here, were as follows: Health good, and every thing favorable to the patient. The parts involved in stump assumed a healthy appearance, yet the flaps were not sufficient to cover the bones, owing to contraction of soft parts, but a healthy granulation process was going on, warranting the belief that nature might restore a sufficient covering for a proper ‘cushion.’ The condyles were left on, and a portion of the cartilaginous structure, which prevented the probability at a later period of obtaining a proper and desirable stump. Dec. 14, 1864, parts were photographed, presenting the appearance, represented in the plate, stump not healed, and discharging continually a fluid of a sero matter, from 2 to 4 oz. per day, more particularly when the patient was laboring under much excitement. The unhealed parts of a phagadaenic character, yet the constitution, and health of patient good. After a fair and proper trial to heal the wound, it was though advisable to re-amputate (patient being desirous to submit to a second operation) with the view of removing the unhealthy bone, that was feared was existing, and also to obtain a proper stump for the adjustment of an artificial limb, which would be wholly impracticable in its present condition, if patient survived the efforts of nature to bring about a healthy union of parts. On the day last mentioned (under the influence of anaesthetics,) re-amputation was performed by a skin flap, four inches above the condyles, by Surgeon J.C. McKee, with very little loss of blood. Four ligatures were applied, and owing to the tendency of the femoral vein to hemorrhage, it was tied. On examining the portion of bone removed, it was found to be carious and denuded of its periosteum, so that the knife could be passed into the bony structure with ease, leaving no doubt of the propriety of removal to save the limb and probable life of the patient. During the succeeding two days two attacks of venous hemorrhage occurred, which was suppressed with cold applications. Patient was treated with stimulating food, tonic, &c., after the suppuration process set in, which followed in about sixty hours. Patient improved remarkably, and stump healed, so that he was on crutches in twenty-two days from the day of removal. Photographed at Lincoln General Hospital. J.C. McKee, Ass’t Surgeon, U.S.A., in charge.”

Date: circa 1864

Photo ID: CP 1174

Source Collection: OHA 75: Contributed Photographs

Related Material: CP 1173

Repository: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Otis Historical Archives