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A Case of Amputation of an Arm –

J. Dewitt, on the 2nd of September, 1803, By an accident with a Gun had his forearm Broken and shattered, the charge, entering at the Wrist, and the Shot Lodging at and about the Elbow the space between was entirely taken away, this happened at Sunrise, and the arm was never amputated till [b OClock?] in the after noon, consequently a great discharge of blood there had been nothing done to Stop the blood, I suppose upon ^the least calculation that he had lost between 30 & 40 ounces of blood-. In this State it was thought necessary to amputate immediately, Doctor, Brodhead & Wheeler attended, Doctor Brodhead performed by a double Incision, which was done in the following manner The, Torniquet, was placed as high up as possible under the arm (the Amputation being performed above the Elbow) he then tied a tape where he intended to make his incision, he then cut with a Circular incision round the arm, through the Integments, [sic] (or Adipose membrane), then dissecting with the Catlin as much of the Adipose Membrane as was thought necessary to cover the Stump, which was firmly held back by an assistant, by means of a piece of leather Slit in the middle, he then Cut down to the bone through the Periosteum, and Sawed it through, the next thing was to secure the Blood Vessels, (It bled about 8 or 10, ounces during the operation), which was done by enclosing the artery in a ligature.. The rateries being taken up with the Tenaculum, The operation being done, next came the dressings, the skin being pulled down, and united as much as possible by suture, (nedle) [sic] a sufficient quantity of lint