This is the second of three pages detailing the treatment received by Benamin Drummond, the first patient admitted into the Naval Hospital, Washington City, when it opened on October 1, 1866. He was discharged from the Navy and the Hospital on March 23, 1868. The National Archives holds the records of patients admitted and treated at the Naval Hospital, Washington City, from 1866 to 1906 in Record Group 52, logs of hospitals, 1861-1875 (11W3 3-29-D)
(margin note) 310
(margin note) Gunshot Wound
Benj(amin) Drummond, colored – U.S. ??? 24 nat(ive?) New York – shipped at Portsmouth, N.H. Dec. 1864, received Oct. 1st, 1866 from the temporary Naval Hospital at Insane Asylum Washington with the following endorsement on hospital ticket; -
(margin note) hosp. ticket 1
(margin note) In line of duty.
“Admitted to this Hospital June 27th 66 from Annapolis, with gunshot wound of left leg, received at the capture of the “Morning Light” January 7, 1863 off the coast of Texas. Injury was received in the line of duty.
Signed Richard G. Dean
Surgeon
“Drummond was admitted to this hospital June 27, 1866. At that time there was a small open sinus, opening at the entrance wound on the inner aspect of the leg, discharging a thin watery pus; probed (9) upward and backwards some three inches without encountering any ?? bone or foreign substance. Has been treated with injections of Soda Chlorinata, Tr. (tincture) Sodium internally, Sodium Phosphate, Tr. (tincture) ferrous ?? internally. No marked result from treatment.
Signed W.W. Godding
A.A. Surgeon
December 1st. Upon admission the leg was considerably swollen around the wound of entrance, and an open sinus from which issued a thin watery pus. Probed past upward and inward for about three or four inches without encountering any foreign substances or damaged bone. An application of seratum resinae was ordered?? limb the bandaged. He can walk and stands pain. The sinus has at times closed and then reopen, following the same course which, according to the statement of the patient, it had for the past eighteen months. No pieces of bone have been discharged since he entered this Hospital. During the latter part of the month of October this patient was seized with a severe attack of febris intimitimate, which was treated and cured by the free use of quinine sulfur in solution four times a day. During the month of May, 1867 had acupuncture needles with magnets electricity applied, not much changed. February 8, 1868 condition of leg essentially the same despite various local stimulating and soothing applications. Yesterday an incision about four inches long was made through the sinus and lipners down to the tibia. Incision involved the external opening. A piece of bone was then removed, apparently form the tibia, nearly an inch long, irregular and sharp, evidentaly long since dead. No pus since. Keep in bed water dripping (9)
In March had a small abscess form in ischio rectal ?? was laid open. Leg continues much as before, with a small sinus and slight discharge. No dead bone felt.
March 23, 1868, much better Limb and sinus continues dripping.
March 23, 1868 Benjamin Drummond, o. (ordinary?) s. (seaman?) was this day discharged from the hospital in order to receive his discharge from the service, which had been ordered on the recommendation of a medical survey. Term of service had also expired. He was reported disabled to the extent of one half of a total disability. He was suffering from a discharging sinus connected with the old wound of the leg, considerable thickening of the limb his perineal abscess was quite rel in the vicinity and general impaired ?? of the limb. His personal ?? was quite relieved.
Record group 52
Headquarters records
Box 112 entry 21
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Last updated October 26, 2008
