North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial
“Unsurpassed Valor, Courage, and Devotion to Liberty
“Healing the Sick and Wounded: The Confederate Medical Profession During the War.”
Little
discussed is the work of the physicians in tending to the wounded and
doing this without benefit of critically-needed medicines that could
only be had through blockade running or capturing enemy supplies. Confederate surgeons had to recall old botanic practices of medicine
which were surprisingly successful.
“Most
army physicians were so swamped with soldier patients that they could
only perform some kind of treatment as expeditiously as possible.
Insufficient training, fear of infection, and impossible conditions
forced many surgeons to resort to the speedier and more reliable option
of amputation.
The
majority of amputations were performed at so-called “field hospitals” a
mile or two behind enemy lines – often on the front porch of abandoned
farmhouses – operating tables ranged from the tailgate of a wagon or a
door atop two barrels.
Under
these “tables” were placed tubs to catch blood; water was always scarce
and heat and flies were overwhelming. Amid the groans and screams of
mangled soldiers awaiting their turn, surgeons worked hour after hour
with scalpel and saw, with the only anesthesia often being a drink of
whiskey.
The shortage of linen and cotton material resulted in old
bandages being used again and again after being rinsed in bloody water.
Pieces of shirts, filthy handkerchiefs, [and] discarded socks were all
used as tourniquets to control the bleeding.
Infections
such as osteomyelitis, erysipelas, gangrene and pyemia were
widespread. By the time most wounded men made it to the hospital,
various infections had already taken hold.”
Read more at: http://www.ncwbts150.com/
I had read about soldiers urinating on the wounds to prevent infection as urine is
ReplyDeletesterile and has antiseptic qualities as long as the urinator had no infections, i.e.
bad bacteria.
Yes and good point.
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