(07-29-2014 08:14 PM)Houmes Wrote: (07-29-2014 04:57 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote: Hi Mr. Houmes,
You read my mind! I read that line and I also wondered how he could have survived such a severe brain injury in 1865. Even today, a person would be in considerable danger with an injury like that. Maybe there was a bit of brain matter observed coming from the wound?
I have seen photos of Fred taken years after the assault and he did indeed have a head covering, so he must have suffered some type of permanent disfigurement.
The reason Fred Seward wore different head coverings is because he had a depressed skull fracture. This was before the days of refined neurosurgery, so efforts to reduce a fracture (and relieve pressure on the brain) would involve elevating the skull fragment as much as possible with an instrument which looked like a dental pick. When that wasn't handy, a Civil War surgeon would use an ordinary kitchen fork, bending one or more of the tines to the right shape.
Oh my God! ...thanks for the info Dr. Houmes. I think.
(07-29-2014 09:05 PM)Linda Anderson Wrote: Fanny wrote in her diary about Fred's injury.
Washington - Friday, May 11, 1866. "Rose at six 1/2 - fine lovely morning. After breakfast I learned with pain that dear Fred's wounds were worse - yesterday - Anna [Fred's wife] says - the inflammation extended below his cap - now both wounds are festered - last evening he was too weary to sit up - & last night very restless and feverish. Anna is not well - so anxious. Surg. Gen here this A. M. & says Fred has been working too hard. He came to breakfast seeming well as usual - & went to Dept."
Auburn - Thursday, September 13, 1866. "Drove with Anna in [the] morning. Slight chill on return.
"Anna tells me that she thinks Fred's wounds are now about in the same condition that they were before the hot weather commenced - they have been much worse. At present the pulsing of the brain is visible."
Sensitivity and Civil War, Patricia Carley Johnson
Hi Linda,
My younger brother was in a fall from the roof of our house when he was about 12...the paramedics were called and before they took him away I noticed the same type of "pulsing" of his open head wound that Fanny described. My mom was almost hysterical. Thank goodness my brother turned out okay.
As usual...thanks for fascinating info. It's sobering to realize that Fred was still suffering and not recovered over a year after the tragedy.
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