(147) _Entry_, in the fourth right intercostal space 3/4 of an
inch from the sternum; _exit_, in the sixth left interspace in
the posterior axillary line. This patient had no symptoms,
beyond quickening of the pulse to 100, and a 'feeling of
tightness at the heart.' He shortly returned to active duty.

(148) _Entry_, situated in the third right interspace 3 inches
from the sternal margin; _exit_, in the fourth left space 2-3/4
inches from the sternal margin. In this case the bullet without
doubt passed through the anterior mediastinum, and slight
injury to the lung was evidenced by transient haemoptysis.

Some remarks regarding wounds of the thoracic vessels have already been
made in Chapter IV., where instances of injury to the innominate and
left subclavian arteries are recounted. The escape of the large trunks
was generally quite as astonishing as in other parts of the body,
especially in the superior mediastinum.

(149) _Entry_, over the first right intercostal space beneath
the centre of the clavicle; _exit_, at left anterior axillary
fold. The great vessels must have been crossed here in
immediate contact, and considerable haemorrhage from the wound
of entry caused great anxiety; this ceased spontaneously,
however, and, beyond transient haemoptysis and a right
pneumo-thorax, no further trouble occurred.

(150) _Entry_, in the ninth interspace, just anterior to the
anterior axillary line; _exit_, through the right half of the
sternum, 1/2 an inch below the upper border. No primary
haemorrhage of importance followed, but I believe this patient
subsequently died. The wound was received at a range of within
fifty yards.

_Wounds of the lungs._--Numerically, pulmonary wounds formed the most
important series of visceral injuries met with in the thorax, the
frequency of incidence corresponding with the proportionate sectional
area occupied by the organs. Although these injuries did well, and
needed little interference on the part of the surgeon, many points of
interest were raised by them.

Thus the comparative importance of the wound in the chest-wall to that
in the lung itself, was scarcely what, without actual experience, would
have been expected, the former proving so very much the more important
element of the two.

The question of velocity on the part of the bullet took a very secondary
positio