How did Hospitals and Medical Treatment change over the course of the Civil War? Danielle Dube and Hannah Luther U.S. History 1-A

“ Disease killed far more men in both armies than did bullets. ” --John L. Ransom Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Health and Safety DIET, SANITATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT ALL PLAYED IMPORTANT ROLES IN HEALTH. No fresh fruits and vegetables Poor sanitation Dirty clothing Humidity Inadequate shelter

DIET, SANITATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT ALL PLAYED IMPORTANT ROLES IN HEALTH.

No fresh fruits and vegetables

Poor sanitation

Dirty clothing

Humidity

Inadequate shelter

Common Deaths Broken bones Cut from sharp tools/blades Hit by carriages/carts Kicked by horses Drowning Freezing Burned or Scalded Attacked by animals Bullet wounds These injuries would be treated correctly and safely today, but during the time of the Civil War, no one had the luxuries of life saving treatments. Even though the medicine looked like it was working, most of the time it was making the injury worse.

Broken bones

Cut from sharp tools/blades

Hit by carriages/carts

Kicked by horses

Drowning

Freezing

Burned or Scalded

Attacked by animals

Bullet wounds

These injuries would be treated correctly and safely today, but during the time of the Civil War, no one had the luxuries of life saving treatments.

Even though the medicine looked like it was working, most of the time it was making the injury worse.

Doctors Did not know what caused diseases and infections. Attempted to treat the symptoms as best they could. Often used common sense to treat patients. Did not treat infection until it had progressed to the point that it was visible. Only treated wounds to the extremities. Often too late to do anything.

Did not know what caused diseases and infections.

Attempted to treat the symptoms as best they could.

Often used common sense to treat patients.

Did not treat infection until it had progressed to the point that it was visible.

Only treated wounds to the extremities.

Often too late to do anything.

Herbs and Fruits “Prevent” Diseases Image from A History of Medicine in Pictures, Published by Parke, Davis & Co. in 1960; Artist: Robert A. Thom

Herbal/Common Treatments Strong alcohol Morphine Osná (wild celery) Rest in bed Bloodletting Isolate the contagious

Strong alcohol

Morphine

Osná (wild celery)

Rest in bed

Bloodletting

Isolate the contagious

Unsanitary, Close-Quarter Hospitals http://home.mindspring.com/~mtmitchell/Medical.html

Voluntary Organizations U.S. Sanitary Commission Cared for sick and wounded. Recruited male and female nurses. Sent necessities to hospitals. U.S. Christian Commission Gave out Bibles and reading matter. Clara Barton Organized to provide food and supplies. Nursed for soldiers.

U.S. Sanitary Commission

Cared for sick and wounded.

Recruited male and female nurses.

Sent necessities to hospitals.

U.S. Christian Commission

Gave out Bibles and reading matter.

Organized to provide food and supplies.

Nursed for soldiers.

Sources http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/492417/medical_treatment_during_the_civil.html http://www.civilwar.vt.edu/propro/medsymp1.html The Annals of America . Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica, INC., 1976. Cooke, J., and M. Klein. North America in the Colonial Times . New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998. Adams, James. Album of American History . New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1946. http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow404q.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/492417/medical_treatment_during_the_civil.html

http://www.civilwar.vt.edu/propro/medsymp1.html

The Annals of America . Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica, INC., 1976.

Cooke, J., and M. Klein. North America in the Colonial Times . New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.

Adams, James. Album of American History . New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1946.

http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow404q.htm