Joseph K. Alderfer Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Records.

Joseph K. Alderrfer, Private, 179th., Pennsylvania Infantry, Co. C., Mustered in November 5, 1862.  Deserted on December 1, 1862.

American Journal of the Medical Sciences.

Case I. Fracture at base of skull ; death on fourth day; autopsy.
[From Dr. Bodiiie's* notes]. 

Joseph K. Alderfer, 25 years of age, unmarried, a returned soldier, and a native of Pennsylvania, was admitted on Thursday, August 31st, 1865, at about ten o'clock in the morning. He stated that he had fallen an hour or two previously from a loaded wagon which he was driving, and which was overturned at the time of his fall. On examination there was found a great deal of ecchymosis of the left orbit. Blood was flowing from his nose and mouth, and a large quantity had been swallowed and was afterwards vomited. He complained of pain in his head, and in his left leg, which presented a fracture in the upper part of the fibula. His pulse was sixty-four, his respiratioji somewhat laboured, and his right pupil slightly contracted. He was restless, but rational.

His leg was wrapped in pillows, and ice api)lied to his head. He was ordered a teacupful of milk every four hours. The next day he complained much of headache, was very restless, and slightly delirious; pulse 68.

Sept. 2d. In the morning he was rational again, but still very restless; pulse 72. In the evening his pulse rose to 112, with great heat of surface; respirations 32 in the minute; very restless and delirious, though uot noisy; pupils of both eyes contracted.

3d, 4 A. M. Skin very hot ; pulse 120; respirations stertorous. 8.30 A. M., pulse 130; respirations 12 in the minute. Died at 9.30 A. M.

Autopsy the membranes of the brain were found very much congested, and contained about four fluidounces of reddened serum. There was also slight congestion of the brain and lateral ventricles. A fracture was found at the base of the skull arising in the left greater wing of the sphenoid bone, passing through the olivary process and right greater wing of the sphenoid, and ending in the petrous portion of the right temporal bone. There was also found a comminuted fracture of the upper end of
the left fibula.