Re: [DL] Re: Colt Walker

["Mr. Christopher McGlothlin, M.Ed." <cmcgloth@halifax.com>]

Good sir, and thanks for sharing the info!

At 04:22 PM 11/12/2001, Steve Wallace wrote:
>If too much damage is done, a sawbones
>will amputate the limb cleanly, before gangreen and
>such set in.

         Two quick clarifications, if I may:

         Amputations were performed because a .58 ball leaves nothing worth 
saving on most limbs it strikes, and the procedures continued to be 
perfomed even after both sides developed effective treatments for gangrene.

>   Many deaths in the Civil War were not caused by
>gunshot wounds, but by doctors attempting to remove
>limbs which had been pulverised by large caliber
>bullets hitting the bone.

         The amputations didn't kill; the trauma itself, blood loss, 
disease and infection were the real culprits.


Deo Vindice,
Mr. Christopher L. McGlothlin, M.Ed.

Freelance Writer for the Deadlands: The Weird West RPG Line
Moderator of the New Gamers Order Listserver
Southern by the Grace of God