"Declaration for the rerating and increase of an invalid pension."

"Declaration for the rerating and increase of an invalid pension."

Amputation--Complications

Disabled veterans

Pensions

His medical studies interrupted due to lack of funds, Philon Currier Whidden (1839-1900) enlisted as a private with the 4th Battalion of Rifles of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteers in June, 1861. He was severely wounded in the left leg at Antietam in September, 1862. From his own account, Whidden states, "My slight medical knowledge enabled me to make such a representation of my physical condition, strength of constitution, etc., as to secure a more than ordinarily careful consideration of my case by the surgeons and saved me from the speedy amputation which the nature and severity of the wound seemed to demand." Whidden was subsequently appointed acting assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy and served to the end of the war. He then resumed his studies at Harvard, received a medical degree in 1866, and went into practice in Chicago.

This declaration forms part of Philon C. Whidden's application for an increase in his military pension due to the amputation of his left leg, which was severely wounded at Antietam in September 1862, and need for an artificial limb.

Unknown

1892 June 10

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Papers of Philon Whidden [uncataloged], 1980-81/m/24.

text

Excerpt (1 page) from declaration

English

text

DigID0001637

Gift of William B. Rogers to the Library of Harvard Medical School, 1981.

8.5" x 14"