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55

limb. In this way the bones in one case did not unite, until after forty days had elapsed, and in two or three other cases, not till after twenty-five days. The delay of amputations already mentioned had no effect on the success of the operations. Every case did well.

There were not more than two very singular wounds, or such as would be unlikely to occur in any sea engagement. In one of these cases a grapeshot four times as large as a musket ball, passed under the pyramidal muscle, without injuring the peritoneum. In the other, a cannister shot twice the size of a musket ball entered the eye, and on the fifth or sixth day was detected at the inside angle of the lower jaw and cut out. In its passage it must have fractured the orbitar sphenoid bone, and passing under the temporal arch, inside the coronal process of the lower jaw, must have done great injury to the temporal muscle, and other soft parts, lying in its way.

The recovery of so great a proportion of the wounded may in a great measure be attributed to the following causes: First to the purity of the air. The patients were ranged along the upper deck, with no other shelter from the weather than a high awning to shade them. They continued in this situation for a fortnight, and when taken on shore, were placed in very spacious apartments, well ventilated. Secondly, to the supply of food best adapted to their cases, as fowls, fresh meat, milk, eggs and vegetables in abundance. The second day after the action, the farmers on the Ohio shore brought along side every article of the above description, that could be desired. Thirdly, to the happy state of mind which victory occasioned. The observations which I have been able to make on the wounded of three engagements have convinced me that this state of mind has greater effect than has generally been supposed; and that the surgeon on the conquering side will always be more successful, than the one, who has charge of the vanquished crew. Lastly, to the assistance rendered me by Commodore Perry and Mr. Davidson. The latter gentleman was a volunteer soldier among the Kentucky troops and engaged to serve on board the fleet during the action. After the action he rendered the wounded every aid in his power, continuing with them three months. And the commodore seemed quite as solicitous for their welfare as he could possibly felt for the success of the battle.