Medical Professionals
Physicians today are well-trained in the many aspects that involve contemporary medical practice: the basic sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology), pathology- the categories and etiologies of diseases, surgical procedures, and therapeutics. Unfortunately, there is too little time for physicians to delve into the history of medicine’s evolution and development and, consequently, acquire an appreciation of their heritage. My presentation describes medicine at a specific period in time, the Civil War. It shows how the great advancements instituted during that period in history improved medical practice during the war and, additionally, have benefited medicine as practiced worldwide today. It describes the theories of disease, the diseases that were prevalent amongst the troops, surgical procedures, and the important institutions that were established which have influenced trauma care and the acquisition of medical knowledge today. Descriptions of battles and military issues are presented only when pertinent to demonstrate medical facts. The objective of the presentation is to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the war’s contribution to medicine.
I display a Confederate surgical kit which belonged to a physician from Wytheville, Virginia. The talk takes approximately one hour and there is time at the end for questions and answers.
Prior to introduction of gunpowder in warfare, piercing weapons had relatively low mortality rate
Introduction of gun powder resulted in more extensive injuries and increased mortality rates
So many amputations were performed during battles that there was not enough time to properly dispose of amputated limbs. This was a common site at Civil War hospitals.
The Letterman system proved to be successful and used in World Wars