Medical practitioners had no knowledge of germ theory or antiseptic practices. Notes on the surgery of the war in the crimea, the treatment of gunshot wounds, 1862, by george macleod, m. The journal, taken from letters written to his wife, maria, describes in lengthy and colorful detail the daily life of a doctor who began as a regimental surgeon in the nineteenth massachusetts volunteers and was promoted to acting medical director of the. Even some of the most basic lifesaving techniques, such as cpr, were not heard of or developed at that time. It was stated that surgery was often done without anesthesia, many unnecessary amputations were done, and that care was not state of the art for the times. Depleted uranium, sarin, pyridostigmine bromide, vaccines.
Selected fulltext books and articles women at the front. A manual of military surgery prepared for the use of the confederate states army, samuel p. More americans died in the civil war than in all other wars combined. This site contains a major collection of civil war medical and surgical textbooks a specified in the surgeon generals library catalogue of 186465. The effects of chloroform and of strong chloric ether as narcotic agents by john c. Civil war related medical books currently in this collection. Buy a cheap copy of civil war medicine illustrated living. Augusta is among known african americans that served as surgeons during the american civil war and one of only two that were commissioned officers in the u. Based on prototypes created in 1859, massive numbers of ambulances were constructed. It has been said that the american civil war was the first modern war in terms of technology and lethality of weapons, but that it was simultaneously fought at the end of the medical middle ages. These developments, potter explains, plunged the nation into years of sectional debate that erupted at various times and places, and ultimately in 1861, in secession.
Actually, during the civil war, there were many medical advances and discoveries table 1. Sep 09, 2015 jonathan letterman, the civil war doctor who pioneered battlefield medicene. Drawing on original sourcesfrom jefferson davis to frederick douglassand interpretive essays by todays most influential historians, this collection of essays gives a vivid sense of the political, economic, and cultural currents that swept the nation to war. A treatise on the diseases of females by william p. The civil war was the first modern war and resulted in the highest number of us casualties per capita of any of our wars as 620000 men perished, including 360000 in the north and 260 000 in the south. Provides links to a variety of resources related to the medical aspects of the american civil war. Medical and surgical care during the american civil war. Institute of medicine us committee on health effects associated with exposures during the gulf war. The most comprehensive and interesting overview of american civil war medicine i have read to date. Medical care was heavily criticized in the press throughout the war. Apr 22, 2020 civil war medicine a digital history collection.
This published source contains information about civil war medical and surgical. Potters famous civil war prehistory begins with the end of the mexicanamerican war and the wilmot proviso. New remedies and formulae for their preparation and administration by robley dunglison, 1856. There is a collection of civil war medical textbooks, surgeon information, bottles, books, and instruments. May 19, 2015 in the decades after the war, some doctors saw the advancement in the medical field and greatly regretted their limited knowledge during the civil war. From the stench of putrefying flesh wafting through. But, still, they did the best they could, and i believe they deserve a better legacy and more honor than they typically receive in general history books and popular perspective. In the mid1800s, standardization of schooling and care did not exist. Civil war union surgical manuals and medical books. Hundreds of illustrations, combined with wellresearched and engaging text, tell the tale of the challenges presented to physicians with each new battle and the oftenheroic ways those.
Journal articles on the civil war medicine neomed library guides. Often spoken of as a needless procedure that cost an otherwise healthy young man a limb, the reality is that though the stories about the piles of limbs present in many. Its origin, cause and probable results, considered specially with regard to slavery dunedin, nz. Clearly organized, authoritative, and readable, the encyclopedia of civil war medicine covers both traditional historical subjects and medical details. The civil war spurred developments in medical techniques and instrumentation, particularly for surgical procedures. Records of the american national red cross view in national archives catalog the national archives holds a tremendous amount of records from the civil warfrom battlefield and. Caring for the men, the history of civil war medicine. Civil war medicine articles american battlefield trust. The medical and surgical history of the war of the rebellion, 18611865. These books were used in civil war medicine and contributed greatly to the medical personnel during the war.
Civil war medical books is a site dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of medical and surgical manuals used in the civil war, especially those marked u. A collection of civil war era surgical manuals and medical books for the u. Medicine in the united states was woefully behind europe. Advancement in medicine occurred during the war that led to todays medicinal practices. Listed below are civil war medical books or manuals that are or have been in our collection.
From civil war amputations to general civil war medicine, eventually all will be covered here. A civil war buff, he spent months combing the national archives in washington, the armed forces medical school and libraries in virginia and north carolina for information on confederate medicine. In this section are many articles dealing with the various subjects concerning civil war medicine and surgey during the civil war. The story of civil war medicinethe staggering challenge of treating wounds and disease on both sides of the conflictis one of the most compelling aspects of the war. A civil war surgeons books rediscovered circulating now. Journal articles on the civil war medicine civil war. There are over 50,000 cases of amputations recorded for the war. The encyclopedia of civil war medicine by glenna r. The principles and practice of surgery by robert druitt, 1853. How the hospital train transformed army medicine by hawk, alan civil war history, vol.
By the end of the year each regiment was being regularly supplied with a standard set of medical supplies included medical books, supplies of medicine, small hospital furniture like bedpans, containers for mixing medicines, spoons, vials, bedding, lanterns, and numerous other implements. Military medical and surgical essays prepared for the united states sanitary commission by various authors, 1864 anatomy of the arteries of the human body descriptive and surgical by john h. A copy of this text book is listed in the 1865 surgeon generals office library catalogue or the list of medical textbooks which were published during the civil war by the army medical department. When the war began, the united states army medical staff consisted of only the surgeon general, thirty surgeons, and eightythree assistant surgeons. Nurses, surgeons, and physicians rose to the challenge of healing a nation and advanced medicine into the modern age. Civil war medicine illustrated living history series. During the civil war, both sides were devastated by battle and disease. Medical textbooks about civil war surgery and medicine.
Michael echols buys civil war medical and surgery books, manuals, and surgical sets. Teacher, nurse, civil war heroine, founder of the american red cross. All the articles that are published here dealing with civil war medicine are original. Featuring authentic medical books and surgical manuals from the civil war era. The site contains over nine thousand photos and nine hundred pages of articles on civil war medicine, surgical, and medical antiques.
The first was an efficient ambulance corps to quickly evacuate wounded soldiers. Caring for the men the history of civil war medicine. United states history civil war, 18611865 the american war. Two percent of the population at the time approximately 620,000 died during the conflict. Medical and surgical care during the american civil war, 1861.
Walt whitman remarked on the plethora of hospitals around washington d. Touring the tools of civil war medicine at the smithsonian. List of books and articles about history of military medicine online. Clearly organized, authoritative, and readable, the. Civil war medical books is a site dedicated to the preservation and. Jonathan letterman, the civil war doctor who pioneered battlefield medicene. Articles from the bmj are provided here courtesy of bmj publishing. Civil war surgical sets medical text books and surgical manuals articles on civil war.
During the american civil war, technology moved at a rapid pace. This essay series is written by mercy streets medical, historical and technical advisor, stanley b. Good summary of basic information relating to civil war medicine. Keith wilbur takes you on a detailed and fascinating tour through the medical history of this bloody and devastating war. Army medical and hospital department, civil war medicine textbooks as specified by the u. The american civil war medical and surgical antiques site offers authentic medical and surgical antiques for sale. The civil war was fought in over 10,000 places and was the bloodiest war in the history of the united states. The science and art of surgery by john erichsen, 1854. Medical books about civil war medicine and surgery. Union medical care improved dramatically during 1862.
The author takes particular focus on the holistic approach that doctors had and the various medicines they used, many of which did nothing. Keep clicking to see 37 images from the national museum of civil war medicine and the national library of medicine. Oct 29, 20 during the civil war, both sides were devastated by battle and disease. Coneshaped minie bullets minie balls made of soft lead caused great damage to tissues and bones and the resulting wounds usually became infected. Civil war medicine research guides at virginia commonwealth university.
During the civil war, two innovations helped to ensure proper medical care for wounded soldiers. The civil war came at a time when there were very few advancements in terms of medicine and the treatment of injuries and ailments. Gutheries commentaries on the surgery of war, notes on the surgery of the war in the crimea, the treatment of gunshot wounds, stromeyer on. Civil war surgeons at petersburg library of congress during the 1860s, doctors had yet to develop bacteriology and were generally ignorant of the causes of disease.
Written for general readers and scholars alike, this firstofits kind encyclopedia will help all civil war enthusiasts to better understand this amazing medical saga. It is generally known in the south as the war between the states and is also called the war of the rebellion the official union designation, the war of secession, and the war for southern independence. Six ways the civil war changed american medicine science. Of these, twentyfour resigned to go south, and three. Civil war medicine june 3, 2015 national archives and records administration u. Written for general readers and scholars alike, this firstofits. Enter site sections below civil war medical books and civil. All of the above are available from amazon, some on kindle. A war fought on americas soil was the perfect breeding ground for innovations, particularly in any area that could help the war effort. The civil war and the rise of american medical science. Countway library of medicine in boston, massachusetts. As the civil war began, the practice of medicine was emerging from the heroic era, with its theory of bringing a balance to the humors of the body. In the decades after the war, some doctors saw the advancement in the medical field and greatly regretted their limited knowledge during the civil war. The colonel eli lilly civil war museum, an indiana war memorials museum june, 2001 4 summary the civil war presented many challenges for the surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
Collecting civil war medical and surgical text books. The medicine practiced in virginia by the union and confederate armies during the american civil war 18611865 was state of the art for its day and an important factor in the ability of both governments to raise and maintain armies in the field. Generally, civil war doctors underwent two years of medical school, though some pursued more education. Principles of medicine by charles williams, 1848, signed by robley dunglison. Books civil war medicine research guides at virginia. He seems to be gloss over the surgery and amputation section rather quickly compared to other aspects of civil war era medicine. Franklin dyers journal offers a rare perspective on three years of the civil war as seen through the eyes of a surgeon at the front. Records of the american national red cross view in national archives catalog the national archives holds a tremendous amount of records from the civil warfrom. Mackay, 1863, by thomas halliwell pdf in australia. Augusta was free born in norfolk, virginia in 1825 and became interested in a medical education and career as a physician.
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