Experiments on Head Wounding by High Velocity Missiles

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Abstract
Steel spheres 4/32-8/32 in. entered the heads of nembutalized cats and dogs at a velocity of 4000 ft./sec. X-rays were simultaneously taken with exposure times of less than one-millionth of a second. Motion pictures (4500 frames/sec.) of the same type of missile passing through gelatin were used for comparison. In both gelatin and the living head, entrance of the missile resulted in the formation of a large temporary cavity which pulsated several times, afterward collapsing to form a small permanent wound cavity. Maceration of cerebrum and cerebellum, severe fracturing throughout the cranium, and extensive disarticulation of bones along suture lines, were thus accomplished by a small object. On the assumption that rapid rise of intracranial pressure was responsible for the widespread nature of the damage, a shot was fired into a head from which the brain had been removed through the foramen magnum. Damage was slight, being restricted to minor fracturing of temporal bones at entrance and exit points.