elsson, Ltd.

G. L. CHEATLE.

Mauser Wound of Entrance, a little more than 48 hours after infliction.
About 12/1.

Section of the entry segment of an aseptic Mauser wound removed a little
over forty-eight hours after its infliction. Magnified twelve diameters.

The margins of the opening are still sloping and depressed, indicating
the originally 'punched-in' nature of the aperture. A thin stratified
layer of epidermis completely closes it. No scab remains.

The wound track is occluded by an effusion of lymph, commencing
organisation of which is shown under a higher magnifying power by the
presence of leucocytes near the margin of the bounding tissue, and some
giant cells. The effusion of lymph occupies a slightly wider area
immediately beneath the papillary layer of the skin, then narrows, and
broadens again as the subcutaneous fascia is reached, indicating the
effect of resistance in widening the area of damage.

The subcutaneous connective tissue bounding the track shows little sign
of alteration beyond a general slight tendency of the lines of structure
to deviate in the direction of the passage of the bullet.

No haemorrhage is apparent beyond a small collection of blood situated
immediately beneath the new layer of epidermis at the left-hand corner
of the opening.

Range probably within 800 yards. Seat of wound, abdominal wall a highest
point of iliac crest.]

Fig. 25 (_a_), A (plate I.) represents a section carried across an
aseptic aperture of entry. The specimen was removed by Mr. Cheatle from
a patient who died forty-eight hours after reception of the injury. It
shows well the small amount of gross destruction suffered by the
subcutaneous tissue, and the rapid repair which follows, since
macroscopically the track is scarcely discernible. Reference to plate I.
shows the remarkable fact that even at this early date considerable
progress towards definite healing has occurred, and a thin layer of
stratified epidermis covers the original opening. The question may be
raised whether the origin of this epidermal layer is not in part a
floating up of the margins of the main aperture.

During the course of healing some variation takes place in the
appearance of the apertures, especially that of entry. This, at first
contracted, later becomes somewhat relaxed, while in many cases a small
halo of ecchymosis develops around it. The blood-clot occupying its
centre now contracts, the margins rapidly become approxi