Pvt. Philip Sweeny (SP 158), National Museum of Health and Medicine

Description: Image of Pvt. Philip Sweeny, Co. C, 3rd New York Volunteers, with a united gunshot fracture through the trochanters of the right femur with trifling deformity. He was wounded at Big Bethel on June 10, 1861. Photograph taken at the Army Medical Museum.

Caption reads: “War Department, Surgeon General’s Office, Army Medical Museum. Surgical Photograph, No 158. Prepared under the supervision of Assistant Surgeon George A. Otis, U.S.A. by order of the Surgeon General. ”

History is on reverse: "Surgeon General’s Office, Army Medical Museum. Photograph No. 158. United Gunshot Fracture through the Trochanters of the Right Femur with trifling deformity. Private Philip Sweeny, Co. C, 3rd New York Volunteers, was wounded in the affair at Big Bethel, June 10, 1861, by a conoidal musket ball, which shattered the trochanters of the right femur. He was admitted to Hygeia Hospital, fort Monroe, on June 13, and was treated by Surgeon R.B. Bontecou, U.S. Vols., by moderate extension and dilatation of the wound by sponge tents, in order to facilitate the extraction of primary sequestrate, of which many were removed. Suppuration and exfoliation persisted until March, 1862. In April, there were two severe attacks of erysipelas involving the entire limb, which greatly reduced the patient, but he quickly rallied, and in May was able to run a race on crutches with his wounded companions. He was transferred to Albany in June 1862; but his name does not appear upon the hospital report until March 1863, when he was admitted to the ‘Ladies’ Home’ in New York City, where a number of necrosed fragments were removed. On May 25, 1863, he was discharged, being able to walk without a crutch, and limb being but slightly shortened. He soon afterwards engaged himself as a laborer at an Iron Foundry, in Troy, New York, where he has since worked without intermission. On July 20, 1866, he was examined by Brevet Colonel R.B. Bontecou, who found him in perfect health, the injured limb a trifle shortened, and the knee rather stiff, owing to the destruction of connective tissue about the extensor muscles of the thigh during the suppuration following the erysipelatous attacks, and, doubtless, the formation of adhesions. The knee-joint was in good condition, and had sufficient motion to allow a firm, good gait. Photographed at the Army Medical Museum. By order of the Surgeon General: George A. Otis, Assistant Surgeon, U.S. A., Curator A.M.M.”

Date: 10 June 1861

Photo ID: SP 158

Source Collection: OHA 82: Surgical Photographs

Repository: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Otis Historical Archives