The swelling, which had
developed very rapidly, made it impossible for the surgeons to
make an examination, but on the following day, when the
inflammation had subsided sufficiently, a diagnosis of fracture
of the bones of the arm was made. There was no external injury of
the skin of any magnitude, and the surgeons decided to cut down
on the trifling contusion, and remove what appeared to be a
fragment of bone, lodged slightly above the wrist. An anesthetic
was administered, and an incision made, but to the amazement of
the operators, instead of bone, a piece of wire one inch in
length and 1/8 inch in diameter was removed. On further
exploration piece after piece of the wire was taken out until
finally the total length thus removed aggregated 11 feet, the
longest piece measuring two feet and the shortest 1/4 inch. The
wire was found imbedded under the muscles of the arm, and some of
it had become wedged between the bones of the forearm. Probably
the most remarkable feature of this curious accident was the fact
that there was no fracture or injury to the bone, and it was
thought possible that the function of the arm would be but little
impaired.
Tousey reports a case of foreign body in the axilla that was
taken for a necrotic fragment of the clavicle.
Pages:
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1209