Beckett records a case of impalement in a woman of forty-five
who, while attempting to obtain water from a hogshead, fell with
one limb inside the cistern, striking a projecting stave three
inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. The external labia were divided,
the left crus of the clitoris separated, the nymphae lacerated,
and the vaginal wall penetrated to the extent of five inches; the
patient recovered by the fourth week.
Homans reports recovery from extensive wounds acquired by a
negress who fell from a roof, striking astride an upright barrel.
There was a wound of the perineum, and penetration of the
posterior wall of the vagina, with complete separation of the
soft parts from the symphysis pubis, and extrusion of the
bladder.
Howe reports a case of impalement with recovery in a girl of
fifteen who slid down a hay-stack, striking a hay-hook which
penetrated her perineum and passed into her body, emerging two
inches below the umbilicus and one inch to the right of the
median line.
Injuries of the vagina may be so extensive as to allow protrusion
of the intestines, and some horrible cases of this nature are
recorded. In The Lancet for 1873 there is reported a murder or
suicide of this description.
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