Gunshot Roentgenograms / A Collection of Roentgenograms Taken in Constantinople During the Turko-Balkan War, 1912-1913, Illustrating Some Gunshot Wounds in the Turkish Army

by Clyde S. Ford

Plate 94.

Shrapnel—Plate 94.

UPPER EXTREMITY.
Gunshot Fracture of the Right Humerus.

The course of the missile was from behind forward, causing a transverse fracture of the humerus with some fragmentation.

The wound is in a state of established convalescence, with considerable separation of the ends of the large fragments and without infection, shown by the formation of callus and by an attempt at union in faulty position.

The trail of the metallic fragments of the missile from behind forward and their location near the anterior surface of the arm indicate the course of the missile, either a rifle bullet or a shrapnel ball—most probably the latter, as the lead core of the rifle ball, protected by the jacket, does not break up into as many small particles as does the shrapnel ball. The missile was deformed by ricochet before striking the bone.

The early treatment in such cases is conservative, although the subsequent course may indicate interference for malposition. The results are favorable.

Plate 95.