At the postmortem it was found
that the brain-tissue, to the extent of 3/4 inch around the track
of the arrow as a center, was softened and disorganized. The
track itself was filled with thick pus which extended into the
ventricles.
Peabody reports a most remarkable case of recovery from multiple
arrow-wounds. In a skirmish with some Indians on June 3, 1863,
the patient had been wounded by eight distinct arrows which
entered different parts of the body. They were all extracted with
the exception of one, which had entered at the outer and lower
margin of the right scapula, and had passed inward and upward
through the upper lobe of the right lung or trachea. The
hemorrhage at this time was so great that all hope was abandoned.
The patient, however, rallied, but continued to experience great
pain on swallowing, and occasionally spat blood. In July, 1866,
more than three years after the injury, he called on Dr. Peabody
to undergo an examination with a view of applying for a pension,
stating that his health was affected from the presence of an
arrow-head. He was much emaciated, and expressed himself as tired
of life. Upon probing through a small fistulous opening just
above the superior end of the sternum, the point of the arrow was
found resting against the bone, about 1 1/2 inches below, the
head lying against the trachea and esophagus, with the carotid
artery, jugular vein, and nerves overlying.
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