Osteological evidence of remote penetrating soft tissue trauma in skeletal remains.

Abstract

In ancient Egypt and Greece treatments for penetrating injuries to prevent infection included the washing of wounds with warm water or alcoholic beverages. A variety of topical applications were also used, such as lint as an absorbent, grease as a barrier against external contamination, and honey as a natural anti-bactericidal agent [1–6]. Pus was removed from wounds in the belief that complete evacuation prevented recurrence [2, 4]. Management strategies for spear and arrow wounds mentioned in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey around 700 BC included removal of the projectile, rinsing the wound with warm water, and the application of analgesics and styptic herbal medicines [1, 4, 5, 7]. Hippocrates also concluded that the key to successful wound healing included not allowing the wound to remain moist, as drying was conducive to good health, with rest and immobility [4, 5, 7]. Very little, however, is known about the management of, and survival after, penetrating injuries in tribal societies as written records are lacking. Paleopathology can shed some light on the ability of such societies to deal with these types of injuries. For example, the 1,000 yearold skeletal remains of an Australian Aboriginal who had survived significant trauma, showed that his community of hunter gatherers was able to provide adequate medical/nursing care and social support [8]. The current case also demonstrates survival for some years following severe penetrating injury to the pelvis and thigh, with retention of at least part of the penetrating object. In addition, encasing of the penetrating object with heterotopic bone provided a record of its position and shape, and enabled conjecture as to the possible direction of the wound tract.