William and the Lost Spirit 1st Edition

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 COLORS BY WaLter
TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY BY
anne AND OWen smIth

GraPhIC unIVerse tm • mInneaPOLIs • neW YOrK

Story by Gwen de Bonneval
Art by Matthieu Bonhomme
Colors by Walter
Translation by Anne and Owen Smith

First American edition published in 2013 by Graphic Universe™.

Published by arrangement with MEDIATOON LICENSING — France.

Messire Guillaume 1 – Les contrées lointaines

© DUPUIS 2006 — De Bonneval, Bonhomme

Messire Guillaume 2 – Le pays de vérité

© DUPUIS 2007 — De Bonneval, Bonhomme

Messire Guillaume 3 – Terre et mère

© DUPUIS 2009 — De Bonneval, Bonhomme

www.dupuis.com

English translation copyright © 2013 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

Graphic Universe™ is a trademark of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All worldwide English-language rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission
of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an
acknowledged review.

Graphic Universe™
A division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
241 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A.

Website address: www.lernerbooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bonneval, Gwen de.

[Messire Guillaume, l’esprit perdu. English]
 William and the lost spirit / Gwen de Bonneval ; illustrated by Matthieu Bonhomme—1st
American ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-7613-8567-7 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)
 1. Graphic novels. [1. Graphic novels. 2. Middle Ages—Fiction.
3. Knights and knighthood—Fiction. 4. Voyages and travels—Fiction. 5. Families—Fiction.
6. Mythology—Fiction. 7. Folklore—Fiction.] I. Bonhomme, Matthieu, ill. II. Smith, Anne Collins.
III. Smith, Owen (Owen M.) IV. Title.
PZ7.7.B66Wi 2013
741.5'944—dc23 2012008115

Manufactured in the United States of America

1 – BP – 12/31/12
eISBN: 978-1-4677-0979-8
 Part 1:
The Far-Off Lands

You must be used
to your daughter’s move, our marriage, almost
whims by now.
guessed that she’d make our
Look, they’re back already.
I told you it would be
all right.
Don’t worry,
dear heart. My men are
combing the countryside.
They’ll bring her
back soon.
Helise is opposed to the But she’s never
run away before.
everything. We might have Besides, she knows
very well that it's
life difficult yet again. no longer safe
in these parts.
I have every
reason to
worry.
Well, Sergeant? You
return empty-handed? What
about the little girl and the
rest of your men?
5
 We split up into I’m afraid we’ll
three groups to have have to expand
a better chance of the search.
finding her. But. . .I’m
sorry, sir.
Well, do
it, Sergeant!
What are you
waiting for?

To extend it any
farther, sir, we need My poor
more men. This district daughter!
is full of brigands.
it's risky to spread
ourselves too thin.
it's not safe to travel
alone these days.

The ones we found didn’t know anything, but Ma’am. . . what Come to think
And the peasants? of it. . .
there aren’t many peasants left to question, sir. about Master
You’ve questioned They’ve either fled the area, or they’re William? Might he
them? lying low, terrorized by the bandits. know where his
sister has gone?
The two of them Where is
are so close. William?

WILLIAM!

6
 William !

I . . . I was
hoping you’d
be here.

I thought
you’d
But I am, vanished.. .
Mother. like Helise.

Why didn’t you

answer?

I was Do you know

climbing. where she No.
went?

I thought I might Since

catch sight of your father
her. died, she's You two
been nothing weren’t
but trouble. getting
along very
well before,
either.

William, listen to me . . . it was And if Helise

for your father’s sake that we doesn’t come back?
chose to live here. Now that She told me that
he’s gone, there’s no reason she wanted to
to stay. I’d never be able join Papa!
to manage on my own.

My marriage
to Sir Brifaut
will bring us a
better life.

7
 No. . . she The poor child. I pray
She told doesn’t think she’s not going mad.
you that she that Papa is really, Sometimes she seems
wanted to kill completely possessed by the
herself ? dead. same demons as
your father.

His soul
sends her
messages.

If he hadn’t offended the

Lord by delving into the
secrets of nature, your . . . And not
father would now be here.
lying in consecrated
ground. ..

Don’t you dare

Papa didn’t say that!
believe in God Philomena! I see you
the same way found your son . . .
you do. This
cross doesn’t
belong here.

Where have Come, my dear,

you been? Fine, just I need to speak
don’t wander with you . . .
too far away.
I was Don’t make us
here... worry about
with my you too.
father ...

8
9
 Have you been rummaging through
Hey there, your father’s workshop?
William! Well,
yes, I
have.

It would be a shame to With your father gone, who

Tee hee! I was just leave anything valuable
about to do the will look after us now? I
behind. thought your sister might
same thing!
I tried follow in his footsteps.
to grab
everything
that looked
useful.

Helise isn’t
Follow far away. She’ll be
in his found. I’m sure
footsteps . . . of it.

10
I'd better get back,
else they’ll say
that I’m shirking
my duties.

11
 We’re

? coming back
a bit late, On the
aren’t we? contrary, this
proves that we’ve
spared no effort
looking for that
little brat.

It might suit Brifaut better if she Well, I . . . getting my hands

really has disappeared. I bet he wouldn’t on a girl!
doesn’t really want us to get mind. . .
our hands on the girl.

Even if she
disappeared
afterward!
I wouldn’t
mind at all .

12
 . . . so it doesn’t
bother you that Our
she’s marrying father is
Brifaut? dead and
buried, you
know.

That's what
everyone believes . . .
B ut I know he’s still
alive somewhere and
I’m going to go
find him.

You can come

You’re with me, if you
going want.
away?

13
 What about
Mama? We can’t Hush.
leave her all Do you want
alone! them to hear
us?

She has She doesn’t care

chosen Brifaut about us. She has She does strange
over us. powers, but she things . . .
uses them
That's selfishly.
not
true...

Afterward,
she doesn’t
remember
anything.

You’re not
Are you calling ready to
come with I’ve been in
her a witch?! touch with Papa.
me.
I’m going to
join him.

14
 TAC

CRACK

CK
CR A

UHH

15
16
 COF
COF
COF

!!

17
 Aah!

Hey! Calm C’mon, calm

down!
down! I won’t
hurt you! I’m not
one of them.

Aaah !
See, I’m I’m not the one
letting you who massacred I am the Knight
go. your kin. I only of Brabant.
kill people who
deserve killing.

18
 I’m going to see if
there’s anything
to eat.

This may Hey, look! . . . but I’m

not be the Dinner! not keen on
best time... starving to
death.

I’m not really from

this village. These But this is
are not my kin. atrocious
nonetheless!

Are you
SURE you’re
a knight ?

19
 I could go with you to
your aunt's house, if you think
you'll find your sister there . . .

Really? You would do that?

That's
what I’d
advise. Of course.
it's my duty as
a knight.

Sir Brabant, when Well,

you became a yes. . .
knight, did you of course.
dedicate yourself
to the service
of God?

In that case, isn’t

it your duty to give these
poor people a decent
burial?

20
 No one came to protect
those people. Not you,
not the seneschal they
depended on!

I got there
too late.

You make a
strange knight!
The way you look,
the way you act,
the way. . .

Was it too
late to bury
their bodies?
You’ve left a
fine feast for
the crows!

Which way
now? CRAAAA

21
 Follow that. . . bird?
That way! We have Are you serious?
to follow!
Yes! Hurry,
before it
disappears!

And look
We lost it. here! Why am I
letting a little
kid tell me
what to do?

Have you come it's so good

to see me, to see you
William? again . . .

And who
might this Sir
Grumpy be?
Aunt
Ysane!

22
 I’m sorry,
William, Helise did
not take refuge
with me.

How may I repay you, good

Mama is afraid Sir Knight, for your
she might kill herself to kindness to my nephew?
join Papa. You don’t
think . . .

No, not
at all.

My lady, dare I hope . . . would I am honored, Sir Knight,

A knight expects
K
K N O C CK
you accept me as your . . . but I have no need of
no payment. Meeting you, humble servant. protection.
KNO
my lady, is more reward
than I deserve. No one
K
enters my
domain without KNO C
my permission.

23
 Hold, Sir Knight! Then he’s here with Ha ha, you’d Counterpane, your “friend”
That's my friend your permission? better is the Knight of Brabant. He’s
Counterpane. believe it, my nephew’s new protector,
my friend! and mine.

I thought he might be one of the Things have certainly

brigands who are ravaging the area. changed in these parts.
Love gi
just a simple troubadour ves me the strength to spea
I am ing for my Yet love k.
true amour .
Lo k
o makes me faint and weak.

What is it?
Since Brifaut Have I offended you?
resigned as seneschal,
the region is ruled ? Everything about
only by fear. you is offensive,
my friend.

Why would the Count

of Sonnac allow him
to step down?

Settle this with I need to talk with

fists or words, William alone.
but outside!

SLAM!

HEY!
24
I owe you an apology, Let me make William's mother was Bertrand de Sonnac? He
Sir Knight. I am glib it up to you. married to Bertrand Isn't he the son of Count was. . . for
and impulsive— I'm not sure de Sonnac. Gaston de Sonnac? Bertrand
two traits that you know the is dead.
sometimes lead whole story.
me astray.

Which means...I’m looking He retreated to a small estate

after the count's to do research, but his
grandson? experiments cost him
his life.

I'm afraid so.

Bertrand utterly rejected
his military heritage. He
preferred healing people
to killing them.

Not wanting to raise her children So that's why Brifaut

alone, Bertrand's widow sought the resigned. A seneschal
help of the count. He arranged can't keep his position if
for her to marry his seneschal, he has personal interests
Brifaut, to whom he gave a in the area.
title and an estate.

The count is old. it's no Think so? Then I only know that he's
surprise that he would what's William looking for his sister,
entrust his heirs to a doing here? who ran away.
faithful retainer. it's
a wise decision.

Why run away if she's

in such good hands?
25
 Remember, you can only
ask a yes-or-no question.
Have you given it careful
thought?
Yes,
Aunt
Ysane.

The answer
is "yes."

So Helise I also read in

must be all your shadow. . .
right.

That you will

find your
father.

But my sister should What are

be the one! She you clutching
He can be hears his voice. so tightly
You sound found in the I can't. in your
like Helise... far-off lands. pouch?
you know He's calling
perfectly you. Go find
well my him.
father's dead!

it's a Ouch ! It
stone...it May I? burns !
must be the
one I took from
my father's
grave.

This stone is your guide.

The fact that you brought
it along proves that you
are already in contact
with your father.
26
 You've got quite a mix of things
here. some useful, some not.
Some of it's gone bad.

How did
you choose
what to
take?

I just took whatever Let me help you lighten your bag.

I could. it's useless to carry all this
with you.
Did your father
share any of
his secrets
with you?
None.

What a friendly She's not my goat. She just Apparently,

goat you have! showed up yesterday. You What's she to you.
What's her name? can give her any name doing here ? To
you like. whom does she
belong ?

SKRITCHH
SKRITC

tap
tap it's freezing
out here!
Can we
come in
tap now?

27
 You don't hide your
disappointment well,
Brabant! I can see you'd
rather share Ysane's bed
than this hayloft!

it's your own it's true, once you've

disappointment you’re fallen under Ysane's
speaking of, not mine. spell, you'll never tire
of her. Surely a knight
of your caliber isn't
impervious to her charms.

A woman can be both wooed and respected.

Are singers of love songs free to trample Hmph!
the bounds of decency, Mr. Juggler?

That's Mr. TROUBADOUR. I

only juggle words. They are
my preferred weapons
for unhorsing knights.

28
 If these "far-off lands" By now, the count
even exist, who's going to will have every
I can't believe I guide us there? There's single person in the
agreed to go with them! How only one way to find a countryside out looking
do you get me to do whatever dead man. Dig for his grandchildren.
you want ? up his grave! You must What fun this is
have faith in going to be . . .
William. He
will be
guided.

Wouldn't you feel more No harm will Then

Don't we make a grand befall me. This let's
company! A brat, a goat, reassured to have me at
your side? You're in danger place is all stay
and some guy who too. It won't be long protected. here!
claims to be a knight. before Brifaut's troops
come to question you. Not
to mention the bandits . . .

Indeed. I feel
reassured to have
you at William's William
side. must find his father . . .
you may complain, but I
know I can count on you.

Lady, I regret we must part You will find your father, In searching for
I thank you, Sir William. I'm sure of it.
ways...I have pledged my Knight. Your Papa, maybe I’ll find
arms to...your cause . . . rest unfailing support Helise too.
assured that...my heart And what will
has touched me become of
and soul will serve you deeply.
faithfully. Mama? I'm sure
of it.

My sister has chosen

to live with Brifaut—now
you must focus on the
task assigned to you.

29
 As much as I enjoy
Are you sure your company, I'd
we're headed in rather not end
the right up lost in
direction? the far-off
lands!

If only your Stop, you're

goat would take Well, I
hurting suppose it's a
a few steps! her! good thing these
lands are far off.

MAAAAA !
We’re leaving the
H bandits and the
search parties
far behind.

The danger is just as

great. We know what we're I don't know We must have faith
William, is this the where we're in Lady Ysane.
leaving, but not what right direction ? going.
we're heading to.
Ha! That's
right! We should
consult your
pebble. What
does it say?

But Ysane
said I would
be guided.

What about the goat ? What

does she think ? Where is
Papa's ghost ?

?!

30
 !
What a Heyyyyy !
ridiculous
sight! Look at
him chasing his
?! Wait for
me!
silly goat!

to admit. . .
I your goat took
have... quite a few
steps, there!

K LING
Ha
ha! ...

K LING

31
 Greetings,
gentlemen! Would
you be so kind as
to allow me
to pass?

What's in the wagon? Would it distress you to

lose your merchandise?

Oh,
I sell . . .
various
trinkets.

Well then,
I confess, merchant, turn back.
sir, that I was This area is full of
hoping to turn a brigands who would just
profit on this trip. as soon kill you as rob you.

You wouldn’t Most certainly,

Thank you for this valuable Is there happen to
information, sir ...I am greatly anything I can gentlemen!
have detailed
in your debt. do to repay directions to the
you? mysterious “far-
off lands”?

Oh, REALLY? Would it Where do

surprise you to learn that Not at all. Marvels
are commonplace you think I
we're looking for a DEAD at the edges of procured this
MAN who might well be the world. magnificent
living there? dragon skin?

32
 A fascinating story indeed, Master Without a doubt, He rules a
William. If I were not returning from a So you your father can Prester
think it's fabulous
long trip to the Orient, I would be found in the John? kingdom in the
possible land of Prester
gladly accompany you. that. . . east, where the
John. world begins.

While I've never

been there myself, I can
assure you that this "earthly
paradise" does indeed exist.

But isn't Prester John Don't believe everything That's a funny thing for a Precisely. I know how
some sort of priest? you hear, William. troubadour to say. . . to untangle truth
Papa always felt Especially from those who from falsehood
uncomfortable around lie for a living! and how to tell the
clergy... imaginary from
the real.

33
 I'm going to
look for some
firewood.

R FFRRRR RRR
FFF
FF FF R
FFF F
FFFFRRRR FFF
F

What's he It looks
doing ? like he's
TALKING. . .

William, can
you hear me ?
With the trees ?

William !

34
 He y! What's
FFFF FFFFF FF FR going on? Snap
FFFFFFFFFFRRRRR R RFF
F out of it,
William !

Were you talking Huh ? No,

with someone? I was just
looking for Are
firewood. you coming
with me ?

Give me some
more peas and bacon! You're too
I didn't expect such decent kind, Sir
grub from a traveling Knight.
peddler!

And your wine

is excellent !

Come on, No, thank What? Are you Are we your

William. Have
a taste!
you. too good to drink
with us?
friends or not?
HA HA HA !
C'mon, live
a little!

35
 What do
you want
to know,
William?

Mama?

But what My time is

are you? very short. Please
No... A person?
you're not my don't waste it by asking
A plant? questions about me.
mother . . .
36
 Very Is he dead or alive ? Will
well... I ever find him? Is he with
Prester John in India ? Or
is he somewhere else ?
I want to
know...

Quickly,
William!

You didn't prepare

your questions
well...too Where is my
late. father ?

37
 GET UP ! Ohhhhh ! Don't
They're gone. wake me up
like that! The merchant
Who's gone? drugged us. He took
William, no doubt to
ransom him.

That crook
left us
nothing but
our clothes.

What are you

The sun is doing?! Get
already high. a move on!
Blast it! They've
left us far
behind.

And just how will you find them? That wouldn't be the best way to protect his
You don't even have a horse . . . new "merchandise". . . they could
be anywhere by now.
In order to
deliver William
to Brifaut or
Sonnac, the
merchant would
have to retrace
his steps.

If we don't
try, we're So?
NEVER going to
find them!

38
 Aaaargh, I for one

CRAK You filthy swine! will not go back

We promised to protect on the word I gave
William! to Lady Ysane!

Gentlemen, if you please, Stand aside, peasant !

Whoa ! have you seen a man

traveling in a wagon?
He would have a child
We're in a hurry.

with him and a. . .

I said GET
LOST!

Peasant?

39
 it's just cheap wine!
Why bother to
take it? You can
never have Well . . .
too much
wine.

40
 That's a fine
outfit you're
Costly
too!
Ha
wearing, sir!
ha Keep
tickling him
with that blade,
friend, and
ha you'll be the
one who gets
ha cut.

ha

Unless dressing like Malart ! it's been

such a long
a lord has mellowed time!
Brabant's infamous
rages.

These aren’t my clothes . . .

I "borrowed" them.
I see you
haven't changed!
And me neither! My
friends and I do a bit
of borrowing too,
now and again.

Come on, let's go feast with

scoundrels of the very worst
kind. Just like the good
old days!

41
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
a small column of air, which, exercising an expansive force,
produces more or less explosive effect, that may be seen along the
bullet track or at the point of exit. These explosive effects are
proportionate to the size of the bullet, its bluntness, and its velocity.
This theory was more tenable in the days of large and blunt
projectiles than today, for in time past experiments have shown that
when a bullet is dropped into water from a height there is forced into
the water along with it a certain amount of air, estimated by
Longmore at twenty times the actual volume of the bullet itself. It
may be doubted, however, whether the rifle projectiles of today can
produce sufficient air pressure to cause the destructive effects thus
attributed to it.
 Fig. 47

a, completely shattered after perforating a horse’s thigh-bone at 220

yards; steel mantle stripped; b, ball with mantle torn off and rolled up, core
deformed, after shattering human tibia at 60 yards; c, wholly disorganized
ball, which destroyed middle metatarsal bone of horse at 660 yards, steel-
mantled; d, ball which shattered a human femur at about 750 yards, steel-
mantled; e, remains of steel mantle and part of core lodged in human
femur, wound inflicted at about 1100 yards; f, g, fragments of mantle found
near the orifice of the wound of exit at about 1100 yards’ range, steel-
mantled; h, piece of steel mantle split off by striking a dried horse’s
metatarsal at over 1300 yards; i, steel-mantled ball which perforated the
internal femoral condyle and lodged beneath the skin at nearly 2200
yards. (Recent foreign report.) (De Nancrède.)

Another method of accounting for shattering effects noted in many

of these wounds is hydrodynamic pressure, depending upon the
incompressibility of fluid and of tissue containing it, and the
narrowing of the space occupied by fluid as a result of the transfer of
pressure in all directions. Other things being equal, the most marked
effects would be manifest in organs containing the most fluid, the
effect increasing with the amount of fluid, the speed of the bullet, its
size, and any alteration of shape which it has undergone in transit. It
has been shown that the hydrodynamic pressure of steel-jacketed
modern bullets varies from six to eight atmospheres. This theory
accounts for the peculiar destructive effects seen in the brain, the
heart, the stomach, and intestines when struck at short range.
Another method of accounting for the results of a bullet wound
takes account of the peculiar effect due to the rapid rotation of the
bullet, the movement given it by the rifling of the barrel from which it
is fired. It appears that a bullet travelling at the rate of 620 meters
per second will average about four rotations per meter. Even in
passing through a human body this would scarcely give it but two
rotations in transit, while in passing through any given bone the force
would be too slight to be appreciable.
While the theories mentioned above, the hydraulic and
hydrodynamic, are attractive, yet they are unsatisfactory; we can do
little more than sum up the damage done by a rifle ball as due to
arrest and divergence of its energy, penetration depending upon its
remaining velocity, its preservation of its original shape, and the
resistance offered by the part injured. If the latter be great, and its
shape be but slightly changed, there are pronounced explosive
effects. Moreover, one end of the bullet is a little heavier than the
other, and this will tend to produce a certain amount of tilting, by
which a key-hole wound may be also produced. Fig. 47, from De
Nancrède, shows the many alterations in shape which may be
produced under various circumstances. Again, hard-metal jackets or
mantles may be stripped off bullets before the latter reach the body,
or in passing through it, as has been shown.
Bruns has shown that with the ordinary small arms the size of the
wounds of entrance and exit diminishes with the decrease in velocity
or increase of the distance, although allowance should be made for
the manner and angle at which the bullet strikes the surface, the
wound being circular or oval according to these conditions. The
wound of exit will depend upon the direction of the axis of the bullet
at the instant it leaves it; thus it may be oval or irregular. When the
bullet in transit shatters or comminutes a bone the wound of exit may
be made much larger and more ragged than otherwise. In a general
way Bruns makes the statement that, other things being equal, the
damage inflicted by the escape of a projectile from the body varies
according to distance from the weapon. Thus up to fifty meters a
considerable amount of destruction of muscle, etc., may be
produced. The area is small and the track of the bullet is smooth and
little larger than the caliber of the projectile. Between 100 and 300
meters there is little destruction of muscle, and the wound of exit is
smooth and may contain some bone debris. Thus Bruns would make
it appear that the distinguishable characteristics of near and distant
shots appear in the variations to be noted between the wounds of
entrance and exit.
After a careful study of the alterations in the shape of the bullets
themselves, Coler and Schjerning reported at the Twelfth
International Medical Congress that only in 4.5 per cent. of all hits
does deforming of the bullet occur; if hits in the bones only are
considered, the percentage would be much greater. In wounds of the
other parts alone there is rarely any deforming effect upon the
projectile. They also show that careful distinction must be made
between the deformity of the bullet caused by the body and that
resulting from impact upon some object before reaching the body.
Thus if a bullet have first struck a branch of a tree, or some object
upon the ground, it may have become so altered in shape as to
correspond almost to a Dumdum bullet. The harm done by such a
ricochet shot depends upon its unexpended energy and its altered
shape, but will always be greater than if it had struck in the direction
of its long axis.
The question of the heat imparted to a projectile in its course and
the possibility of its being sterilized by such heating are questions
which have been carefully investigated. The heat of a bullet
produced by penetration into a hard material will depend upon the
striking distance and the density of the material. In the human
tissues the heat attained by a bullet, even when penetrating a bone
at short range, is rarely 100°C., while at long range it will scarcely
amount to half of that. There is no accurate measure of the heat that
may be engendered in its passage through the atmosphere, but the
question is one of interest, in that it brings up the possible
sterilization of the bullet and its capacity for destroying such septic
material as it may carry in with it. A series of experiments made in
Baltimore and elsewhere permit the following conclusions to be
drawn:
1. The majority of cartridges in their original packages are free
from septic germs, this freedom being due to the precautions
observed during their manufacture.
2. As a result of this cleanliness the majority of gunshot wounds
are not septic.
3. Such resistant germs as those of anthrax, when applied to the
small bullet of a hand weapon, are rarely completely destroyed by
the act of firing, and it is possible to infect an experimental animal
with such a projectile.
4. The ordinary germs of suppuration are not always destroyed,
and may also cause infection.
These conclusions may be epitomized in these two statements:
that bullets from small hand weapons are not necessarily sterilized
by the act of firing, and that they also may infect.
The principal features to be noted in a case of gunshot wound are
the following:
1. Hemorrhage.
2. Shock.
3. Pain.
4. Powder burn.
5. Localizing symptoms.
6. Multiplicity of wounds.
7. Entrance of foreign material.
8. Explosive effects.
9. Perforation of large vessels and the viscera.
1. Hemorrhage.—Hemorrhage may be internal or external. When
internal it is rarely so accessible as to permit of
the saving of life, yet the effort should be made to ascertain the
source of the hemorrhage, as only in this way can life be saved. For
example: A patient may bleed to death from injury to an intercostal
artery, an epigastric, etc., while in either case a very simple
expedient would tend to save life. External hemorrhage is generally
due to injury of main vessels, and may end fatally unless first help be
instantly rendered. Since the introduction into the army of a trained
hospital corps, and a widespread diffusion of a knowledge of “first-
aid dressings,” this is much less likely to occur than in the days
previous to the use of the emergency packet. Recent military
experiences have been that hemorrhages from limb vessels are
much more likely to subside spontaneously than those of the viscera.
2. Shock.—Shock is present in a large proportion of gunshot
injuries, especially those of the viscera and the region of
the spine. Experienced army surgeons speak of the peculiar facial
expression in those cases of shock which demand immediate
attention.
3. Pain.—The symptom of pain is exceedingly variable. It is rarely
complained of at the time of infliction, especially when the
individual is laboring under stress of excitement. The pain of a
wound will be increased by every movement of the body. When
momentary pain is followed by local anesthesia, and especially if the
latter be permanent, it will indicate the division of a nerve trunk,
which will justify an operation for exposure of the site of the injury
and nerve suture.
4. Powder Burn.—Powder burn is met with only as one of the
complications of a short range and injury of an
exposed part. Its degree is modified by the distance of the injured
part from the muzzle, by the character of the powder, and the
dimensions of the barrel. Fish has shown that in a pistol wound at
short range the burning or scorching effects, which he calls the
“brand,” are always found on the hammer side of the weapon which
inflicted the wound, i. e., if the hammer were held up the brand would
be above the entrance wound. The bullet wound in such a case
shows the direction of the aim, but the recoil will so far change the
direction of the barrel as to divert the stream of gases of combustion,
so that they follow the new direction of the barrel, which is always
toward the side of the hammer. This is a point in medical
jurisprudence which has been testified to in the courts. The use of
smokeless powder minimizes any effect of this kind. It has been
claimed that a homicide has been recognized in the dark by the flash
of the old-fashioned gunpowder used in the weapon, but the use of
smokeless powder would obviate this possibility. The most distinctive
part of a powder burn is the appearance of the tattooing caused by
the lodgement under the skin of grains of unconsumed powder. Such
grains, when accidentally or purposely contaminated with germs, are
not purified by the act of firing. This is less true of certain brands of
smokeless powder. Nevertheless the opinion prevails that
gunpowder may serve for conveyance of infection. The so-called
smokeless powders are of secret composition, although it is known
that in a general way they are composed of gun-cotton, dynamite
(i. e., nitroglycerin), or picric acid. Melinite is composed of picric acid
and collodium—i. e., gun-cotton. There are many of the modern
explosives which depend for their final effect upon the combination
of two or more substances. In the smokeless powers there is usually
enough nitroglycerin to have a very noticeable effect should they be
touched to the tongue, while even the fumes might be disagreeable
or disabling.
5. Localizing Symptoms Due to the Presence of the Bullet.—
The
greater the distance and the smaller the velocity the more likely is a
bullet to lodge within some portion of the body instead of passing
through it. In the Cuban campaign the proportion of cases of
lodgement was less than 10 per cent. of the entire number of bullet
wounds. A bullet which rests within the body either will or will not
produce disturbances which may be more or less lasting. In a large
proportion of cases the latter will prevail. The number of pensioned
soldiers who are carrying unremoved bullets in some portions of their
body is by no means small. A rifle bullet may remain in certain
portions of the cranium without producing much disturbance. Bullets
which cause no trouble are best left undisturbed. Those which
produce serious symptoms should be removed. To Esmarch is
attributed the dictum that the harm produced by a bullet is usually
done during its passage, and after it has found lodgement it ceases
to be a source of trouble. While not invariably true, this is so
generally the case that acceptance of this statement has
revolutionized the previously prevailing view, i. e., that a bullet should
be always removed if it be possible to locate and extract it. In some
instances it may be located by a study of the symptoms; as, for
instance, in certain areas of the brain, or when lying in close
proximity to joint surfaces it interferes with their function; although a
bullet embedded in bone often does not seriously interfere with the
use of the affected part. The bullet which divides a nerve trunk rarely
lodges in such position as to be considered when the repair of the
nerve injury is undertaken; such wounds will generally be found to be
perforating.
 Fig. 48

Multiple shot wounds of arms and back. The ulcer over the spine was produced by
pressure, not by the ball (case in Cincinnati Hospital, 1884). (Conner, Dennis’
System of Surgery.)

6. Multiple Wounds.—The same bullet may sometimes inflict

multiple wounds, and, with modern
projectiles, these are now more common, as many as six wounds
having been made by one missile in its passage, e. g., wounds of the
arm and body. Thus multiplicity of wounds may not indicate that the
patient has really been shot more than once. In cases of perforation,
for each wound of entrance there should be found one of exit, and at
the first examination of the patient the discovery and consideration of
each of these injuries should be part of the routine. If on examination
but one wound be discovered, then the inference is natural and
unavoidable that the bullet is still within the patient’s body (Fig. 48).
7. Entrance of Foreign Material.—The entrance of fragments of
cloth or other extraneous matter
is now less frequent, for bullets of tremendous velocity rarely carry in
any perceptible material, their diameter being small and their
surfaces polished. A ricochet bullet may carry tetanus or other
spores from the earth, and lockjaw may be the result. In other words,
gunshot wounds now are less likely to become infected wounds than
they were years ago.
8. Explosive Effects.—The shattering and explosive effects of the
impact of bullets upon certain of the viscera
are sometimes disastrous, and yet not easily seen from the outside.
This is especially true in the brain, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and
bones. Almost complete pulpification of the semisolid viscera may
occur as the result of perforation by a small missile, and the general
condition of the patient should be relied upon to indicate this fact.
9. Perforation of the Large Cavities of the Body usually implies
perforation of at
least a portion of their contained viscera. Thus if a man be shot
through the chest it may be assumed that perforation of the lung has
occurred, while in a case of bullet wound of the abdomen it will rarely
be found that the viscera, especially the intestines, have escaped
perforation. Still, remarkable cases are occasionally recorded. Thus I
have seen a man who had been shot through the abdomen from
front to back, the bullet entering just above the pubis and escaping
near the lumbar spine, who never seemed to have suffered seriously
from his injury, although the bullet was a large soft one from the old
Springfield musket.
Diagnosis.—More or less characteristic appearances pertain to
most wounds of entrance and of exit, which render
them reasonably distinct and recognizable, even though no history
be obtained. Nevertheless much depends upon distance, velocity,
and any deformation of the bullet due to its impact upon some other
substance previous to its entering the body. An elongated wound
may suggest that the direction of the bullet was at an angle with the
surface struck. Such wounds are known as “key-hole” wounds. A
bullet already deformed may inflict a wound that will baffle
speculation. The wound of exit is usually a little larger than that of
entrance. When much larger a bone lesion should be expected.
Trifling punctures, perhaps made by particles of the bullet, may be
found around the principal wound or in the bone which it has
shattered.
Diagnosis may include a recognition not merely of the general
character of the injury, but whether it was inflicted by one or more
bullets; whether these bullets have escaped; and if not, in what part
they are probably lodged. In the preantiseptic days much of this
information was gathered by the use of the probe, and the porcelain-
tipped probe devised by Nélaton was relied on for much more than it
could possibly safely tell. In those days probing was indiscriminately
practised, and accomplished more harm than good. Now the probe
is rarely used, at least at first, and when used, it is connected with
some electrical device by which results are attained with a minimum
of handling. For this purpose the telephone probe of Girdner was
formerly a popular and ingenious device, which has been more
recently supplanted by a simpler mechanism by which, when the end
of the probe comes in contact with metal, a little bell, or buzzer, is
rung. No probe or other instrument should be introduced into a
gunshot wound, for diagnostic or other purposes, without observing
aseptic precautions.
The most valuable expedient for the detection and location of
bullets, as of other foreign bodies, is the Röntgen ray. With a suitable
apparatus of this kind the surgeon can not only decide as to the
location of the missile, but whether it is best to attempt an operation
for its removal.
Prognosis.—In gunshot wounds not speedily fatal the prognosis
depends upon the part injured, the size and shape of
the missile, its velocity, the distance from the weapon, the amount of
blood lost before attention was given, the character of the attention
first received, and the absence of such complications as exposure,
rough handling, etc. The dictum that the fate of a wounded man is in
the hands of the surgeon who first attends him made its author,
Esmarch, famous. The patient having escaped the dangers of
hemorrhage and shock is to be carefully guarded from sepsis, and if
thus guarded can be protected against most of the other visible
dangers save those due to perforations of large cavities. If, therefore,
a gunshot wound can be promptly provided with a primary aseptic or
antiseptic dressing, and in other respects be let alone, the outlook for
the patient will be encouraging. The prognosis often depends upon
how completely the patient is let alone after the application of
occlusive dressing.
Treatment.—Hemorrhage is the first consideration, and should be
the first care of the surgeon. Digital pressure may be
resorted to, which may suffice until a temporary expedient has been
supplied. Next in importance is disinfection of the area surrounding
the wound and the application of a sterilized absorbent dressing,
with pressure to prevent loss of blood. The use of the probe, or any
attempt to at once ascertain the location of the bullet, is not
advisable. The question is not, “Where is the bullet?” but, “How
much harm has it already done?” And the first attention should be
addressed to atoning for any harm that may have been done. Even
though the intestines have been perforated, or the heart wounded,
there is no need in doing anything more than meeting the immediate
emergency. If shock be extreme it may be atoned for in some
measure by lowering the head and bandaging the extremities; while
in extreme cases hypodermoclysis or venous infusion of saline
solution, often with the addition of a little adrenalin, will be of service.
Again, physiological rest of the part injured, i. e., immobilization, as
well as absolute rest of the patient’s body and mind, must not be
neglected.
Primary laparotomy has been done upon the battle-field, and is of
itself a testimony to the intrepidity and zeal of those who have done
it; yet, as a practice, it is to be condemned. All operations upon
gunshot wounds should be done in a well-equipped hospital.
 Fig. 49

Gunshot wound of forearm. Bullet in situ in bone.

The probing of bullet wounds is so unwise that it may be well to

state the reasons for its general condemnation:
1. As it used to be practised, neither probe nor skin nor the
operator’s hands were sterilized.
2. Even when carefully done it is often absolutely disappointing,
the probe failing to reveal the presence of the bullet.
3. By the time the probe is introduced the wound will be usually
more or less filled with blood clot. To stir this with a probe is to invite
a secondary hemorrhage or annoying oozing.
4. Even when properly used the probe may carry in infectious
material from the surface.
 5. Most wounds made by modern bullets, even pistol bullets, are
of such a character that it is difficult to follow their track without using
force.
6. I have known a wound on the anterior surface of the body to be
probed for a bullet that had escaped, as shown by an examination of
the other side of the body, which the attendants had failed to search.
7. If there be good reason for exploration of a wound let it be
postponed until the surgeon is prepared to follow a bullet and extract
it. When it does not call for extraction, it does not call for probing.
8. The best probe is the surgeon’s finger, and for its use the
patient generally requires an anesthetic and free incision.
When muscle is torn and needs suturing, or when tendons or
nerves are divided and need the same resource; when bones are
shattered and fragments need to be removed; when the skull has
been fractured and portions of bone driven into or upon the brain;
when the intestines have been perforated; when even the heart has
been wounded and the pericardium is filling with blood so that the
heart’s action is becoming impeded; in any or all of these
emergencies the patient needs surgical relief. But this should be of a
kind that, save in an emergency, should be postponed until suitable
preparation can be afforded.
 Fig. 50 Fig. 51

Wound inflicted at 1300 Shattering of humerus at long range with modern

yards by steel-mantled projectile; fusible metal cast showing extent and
ball (from a recent character of laceration of soft parts (from a recent foreign
foreign report). (De report).
Nancrède.)
 In regard to regional indications in the treatment of gunshot
wounds it will only be possible here to give some brief general hints,
the reader being referred to the chapters on Regional Surgery for
more specific instructions. Nearly all gunshot wounds of bones are
compound fractures, and are comminuted as well. The best
treatment is primary aseptic occlusion and immobilization, without
effort in the direction of exploration. In an open wound the vessels
should be secured, loose pieces of bone removed, and jagged bone
ends trimmed; while in some instances a wire suture or other
mechanical expedient may be resorted to with advantage. Provision
should also be made for drainage.
In the regions of the large joints the same general principles are
applicable. Under the old regime a gunshot wound of the knee would
condemn a person to amputation in the middle of the thigh. Now, if
such a limb be promptly provided with suitable antiseptic dressing,
and placed at rest, the patient may save not only the limb, but the
use of the joint. Extensive comminution may call for excision.
Amputation is seldom necessary, except when important
bloodvessels have been divided.
 Fig. 52

Perforating bullet wound of head, wound of exit showing brain protrusion.

Sloughing pressure-sore of scalp. Complete paralysis of motion and loss of
speech. Battle of Mukden. (Major Charles Lynch.)
 Fig. 53

Perforating bullet wound of head, with prolapse of brain at wound of entrance.

Operation done in Russian Red Cross Hospital at Mukden. Left hemiplegia; mind
clear. (Major Charles Lynch.)
 PLATE XIII

Radiograph of Head viewed from the Left Side,

showing Mauser Bullet Lodged in Brain. (Surgeon-
General’s Report on Use of Röntgen Ray, 1900.)
 Fig. 54

Perforating gunshot wound of head; two wounds converted into one by removal of
comminuted bone. From Russian Red Cross Hospital, Mukden. (Major Charles
Lynch.)