I've been reading diaries of women who worked in Civil War hospitals recently. Since I reside in Kentucky near the Perryville Battle Field I have focused much of my research on this battle and what happened to those injured after the battle. In at least one diary it is mentioned that this is one location where there was a shortage of anesthesia possibly due to weather holding up a supply wagon. It appears to have been a brief setback but still makes me shudder to think about it.
The Gallagher book - "Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War" (The Steven and Janice Brose Lectures in the Civil War Era) Hardcover - April 7, 2008 by Gary W. Gallagher. Just ordered A COPY.
Fascinating video. I'm glad that so many of these silly notions about what it was like during the Civil War and the 19th century in general. you should have really talked a little about the ridiculous idea of chewing on a bullet for surgery and, not related to medicine, that everyone was illiterate.
I have studied medicine during the American Civil War for a while now. I found this video fascinating. Can overseas listeners join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. I would love to join. I have a question and if anybody knows the answer, please let me know. Was Choral Hydrate, the hypnotic, used during the Civil War?
David, anyone in the United States or other countries is welcome to join the Museum as a member! Here's the link to do so: www.civilwarmed.org/support/member/ After doing a bit of research, it doesn't look like chloral Hydrate was widely used until 1869. I hope that helps!
Awesome video and channel. I am following you from Germany. I have a question. Did the doctors ( Confederate/Union) wear a sidearm or were they unarmed?
Also, what type of amputations were carried out. Did surgeons do a circular amputation and let the stump heal by secondary intention or did they sew a flap of muscle over the stump?
