GUNSHOT WOUNDS may vary in severity from a,simple bruise to the tearing away of a whole limb. Single bails produce a cut, bruised or lacerated wound, according to the amount of their velocity when they strike the body. The effects of small shot vary with the distance and power of the gun; when close, the charge enters with the pellets so close together as to make one wound like a single ball, Sonic years ago, it was commonly believed that the " wind of a large shot" could produce serious injuries: this belief may have arisen from the circumstance that when a heavy ball, which' has lost some of its force, strikes the body at a particular angle, the skin does not always give way, but the deeper structures, such as the muscles, or large organs, as the liver, may be completely crushed. If the wind of a shot could kill a man, it is not likely that soldiers should have had ears, noses, and lips shot off, and yet have experienced only the symptoms produced by those slight injuries.
When a bullet passes out of the body, there are two openings—that of "entrance." which is generally depressed, round, regular, and smaller than that of "exit." The modern conical ball makes a well-defined oblong wound, but it may shift its direction. so as to strike longitudinally, and cause a more extensive injury to the skin. When a bullet strikes the shaft of a bone, it cracks or splinters it, and either remains or passes, through the cancellated ends. In its course, the ball may carry before it pieces of cloth, coins, or other foreign bodies, which increase the danger of the wound. Many persons who have been shot during the excitement of battle, describe the sensation as resembling the sharp stroke of a cane; but in most instances the wounded man soon begins to tremble, as if in an ague-fit, complains of cold, his face becomes pale, his pulse scarcely perceptible, and he appears as if about to die. This is the condition
termed shock; and though death sometimes does ensue during this state of prostration, it is not so serious as it appears, and the patient will probably pass out of it in a few hours with the help of stimulants and rest. Although excessive bleeding is not so common after gunshot as other kinds of wounds, it may occur immediately to a fatal extent, if assistance be not afforded. This assistance any one can give; it consists simply in placing the fingers in the wound, and if the vessel can be reached, pressing them upon it, directed to the proper point by the warm gush of blood. Should the wound be too small to admit the linger, a handkerchief may be tied round the limb above the wound, and twisted tightly with a stick. It is well to examine the wound, to ascertain the extent of the injury done, and whether there are splinters of hone or portions of dress lying in it, which should be removed. But neither the examination nor the removal should be attempted if they seem likely to aggravate the injury. The treatment is similar to that of other wounds; and consists in protecting the part during the healing stages, moderating inflammation by cold-water dressings or soothing poultices, and hastening the last stages of cure by stimulating lotions. During his illness, the general treatment of the wounded man must depend upon so many different circumstances, that it would be out of place to enter upon them here.