Amputation: Primary versus Secondary, Operative Methods, and Mortality

The upholding influence of chloroform comes strongly into play in such cases, and obviates, in a great measure, the dangers which have been prognosticated from such proceedings. If the constitutional depression be the result of an injury which remains as a source of irritation, then the removal of such must manifestly be a great point gained; and I know it is the opinion of many army surgeons of large experience, that the presence of shock is no hinderance to operation (under chloroform), if that condition be not very decidedly marked at the moment of interference. The difficulty which chiefly stands in the way of instant operation is the recognition of the cases which demand it, and the certainty that no fatal internal lesion may not have been at the same time sustained, as the accident to the limb which necessitated its removal.