Finally, I must add, that the greater number of those who died in our
hospitals, in consequence of wounded limbs, were of those who had the
os femoris shattered near its upper articulation; and as we are not
at present acquainted with any means of relieving that accident; and
as it has not as yet been attempted to amputate at that part, if we
deduct these cases from the number mentioned in the preceding section
who died, we shall see that the number of those whose lives were saved
without amputation, considerably exceeds that of those who died. Since
wounds near the superior part of the thigh bone, or shoulder, where the
bones are shattered, ought always to be looked on as desperate.