Medical Technology During the Civil War By Summer McNiel, Sierra Statkiewicz, Abbey Butler 

Lasting from April 1861 - April 1865, the Civil War was one of the bloodiest and most brutal wars in American history. Approximately 620,000 people were killed, with thousands more injured. However, during this time, some of the best technologies were developed, including medical services and medical technology. During The Civil War...

Amputations were one of the most commonly used techniques on those injured on the battle field The main cause for amputations was the amount of those injured, hospitals were so compact with people that doctors had very little time with each person As a result, amputations were seen as a more viable option due to the little time it took and the majority of people survived It was a lifesaving procedure, it halted the effects of the wounds from the ammunition used, minie-balls, which caused excessive damage to the bone, nerves, muscle and tissue The closer to the body an amputation was, the more likely it would become fatal Amputations

Misconceptions about Amputations Anesthetics were readily available to most surgeons, who gave them to their patients before surgery. Very rarely did someone undergo an amputation without anesthetics. Tools were never perfectly sterile, which caused for a lot of infections in open wounds, however most could be treated The mortality rate due to amputations was around 25% for both sides Overall, amputations were one of the most common techniques practiced with the highest survival rates Misconceptions about Amputations

Clara Barton (December 25, 1821 – April 12, 1912) Clara Barton helped a great deal throughout the war. She first helped with troops and civilians off the battlefield, eventually moving into the battlefield herself. She nursed, comforted and cooked for the wounded, all of this earned her the nickname the “Angel of the Battlefield.” Barton eventually went to Geneva, Switzerland and saw how important and influential the Red Cross was all throughout Europe. "Barton was determined that the United States should participate in the global Red Cross network." Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 at the age of 60. She continued leading the organization for 23 more years.

Life Saving Services During the civil war era medical discoveries were just coming to light. During this time an ambulance system and evacuation plan were going into play. This then played into the creation of new hospital plans and layouts as well as inspection and hygiene ideas in the army, this was in effect by William A. Hammond.  "regulated ambulance system and evacuation plans for the wounded. As surgeon general of the Union army, William A. Hammond standardized, organized and designed new hospital layouts and inspection systems and literally wrote the book on hygiene for the army." Training's of physicians and nurses became very educated in more experienced training's and specialties, like treating diseases and the prevention of deadly illness. Surgical techniques and anesthetics also came out of this.  "...thousands of physicians received experience and training.  As doctors and nurses became widely familiar with prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, anesthetics, and best surgical practices. "

Surviving the Civil War The survival rate on the battlefield was very high including dressing stations and field hospitals.  "Though the mortality rate was higher for soldiers wounded on the battlefield, field dressing stations and field hospitals administered care in increasingly advanced ways. " All of these new techniques and ways of saving the ill and wounded saved many individuals from suffering. Having these new ways to survive paved the way for the modern medical era.  "Over the course of the war, doctors learned some lessons that forever changed the way medical care happens, both on the battlefield and beyond."

How it Affected the Future Many of the surgical ideas and advancements from the Civil War are now seen in the present day medicine. Even some surgical techniques are still practiced today, as well as the hygiene practices, including sterilizing tools before surgery. In short, medical practices and techniques from over 150 years ago, have carved modern day hospitals, medicines and organizations.

Bibliography Civil War Medicine. History Channel, www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/      civil-war-medicine. Accessed 27 Oct. 2017. Ohio State University, editor. Civil War Battlefield Surgery. ehistory.osu.edu/      exhibitions/cwsurgeon/cwsurgeon/amputations. Accessed 1 Nov. 2017. "Biography- Clara Barton." Civil War Trust, 2017, www.civilwar.org/learn/      biographies/clara-barton. Accessed 27 Oct. 2017.  "Founder Clara Barton." American Red Cross, 2017, www.redcross.org/about-us/      who-we-are/history/clara-barton. Accessed 27 Oct. 2017. "NBC" Civil war changed modern Medicine  http://www.nbcnews.com/id/42490904/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/how-civil- war-changed-modern-medicine/#.WfsXVvmPLIU Civil War Preservations , Ivory Handled Surgical Amputation Kit. www.google.com/      search?tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=662&ei=cRf7WfDFNILYjwTtrpyACg&q=amputation      +kit&oq=amputation+kit&gs_l=img.3...1268.9745.0.11344.16.15.1.0.0.0.174.1336.13j2      .15.0....0...1.1.64.img..0.12.919...0j0i5i30k1.0.8RHykHfmMCk#imgrc=FSVZo7_3jeR_lM      :. Accessed 2 Nov. 2017. 

Bibliography An ambulance drill at the Army of Potomac Headquarters near Brandy Station, Va.      Mar. 1864. Civil War Trust, www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/      civil-war-medicine. Accessed 2 Nov. 2017. Brady, Mathew. Clara Barton 1865. 1865. National Park Service, 10 Apr. 2015,       www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=25583136-1DD8-B71C-0783E5DDA7FD1ECE.       Accessed 2 Nov. 2017. Virginia Education. xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/hospital/whitman.htm.