Sacramento Daily Union, 2 September 1863
Surgical Operations in the Army. — Dr. J. H. Brinton, United States Volunteers, who is now engaged on the “Surgical History of the Rebellion,” has prepared a report of the number of surgical operations performed in the army hospitals, together with a statement of the cause of the operation and the results.
During the last four months of 1862, 1,342 amputations were performed. Of these, 371 were amputations of fingers, 168 of arms, 47 of toes, and 224 of legs. The total number of amputations on account of gunshot wounds was 1,197, and from all other causes, 34. The results of these amputations are thus stated: 100 returned to duty, 25 were furloughed, 11 deserted, 850 were discharged, 336 died, in 80 cases a second amputation was necessary, and 516 remained under treatment at the close of the year.
A table is also published, showing the character of the missiles, in cases of gunshot wounds, used by the rebels during the same period of four months of last year. Of 1,049 wounds in the head, 307 were by round leaden bullets, 435 by conical leaden bullets, 165 by shell, 22 by round shot, and 42 by other missiles. Of 2,072 wounds of the trunk, 633 were by round and 1,189 by conical leaden bullets, and 166 by shell. The total number of wounds reported during the period covered by the table was 18,554, of which 10,793 were by conical and 5,554 by round bullets.