Medical Journal

On this occasion the Medical Journal examines the case file of Corporal A. B. Clark, Company “E,” 2^nd Wisconsin Infantry. The Regimental roster lists this soldiers as Augustus B. Clark. He enlisted May 18, 1861, and gave his residence as Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He also stated his age was 30, his occupation as a lumberman, and his place of birth as New York. The regimental records indicate that Private Clark was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of 1^st Bull Run. He was granted a Surgeons Certificate of Disability and discharged on November 11, 1862, due to wounds received at Bull Run.

Corporal. Clark’s case file is listed under the heading of “Shot Fractures of the Scapula,” Section II, Page 485.

Medical Case file 1437. ---- Corporal A. [Augustus] B. Clark, 2^nd Wisconsin [Co. “E”], aged 24 years, was wounded at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He was treated at Benton Barracks, Missouri, until November 1, 1861, when he was discharged and pensioned. Surgeon James Irwin, 8^th Iowa, certified on the discharge paper as follows; “Gunshot wound; ball struck the left scapula, fracturing a portion of the spine, including the acromion process. Use of the shoulder joint destroyed; portions of bone continue to discharge. The ball has not been extracted.” This man re-enlisted in the Veterans Reserves. On March 29, 1864, he entered St. Mary’s Hospital, Detroit. Acting Assistant Surgeon D. O. Farrand reported: “Wound by conoidal ball, which entered from behind, passed forward and through the spine of the left scapula, and lodged just below the clavicle, immediately above the subclavain artery. On April 5, 1864, the ball was removed by making about the same incision as for ligation of the subclavain artery; chloroform was used. At the time of the operation the patient was worn out by constant pain from the presence of the ball, and he was much emaciated.” He recovered, and was returned to duty June 1, 1864, and was finally discharged April 3, 1865, resuming his pension. In 1867, Examiner Louis Davenport reported: “It is impossible to raise the arm more then six inches from the body, or place the left hand to the mouth.” The Detroit Examining Board reported, February, 7, 1872: “The muscles of the arm are atrophied; this atrophy is increasing.” **   “The anchylosis is complete, so that he is unable to move the joint at all.” “The atrophy of the muscles is of such an extent as to produce extreme weakness of the hand and arm.” “The limb hangs useless at his side.” The pensioner was paid March 4, 1874.