By:

A war that lasted 4 yrs. (1861 – 1865) The war of the United States Federal Gov’t, and 11 southern States. They were: N. N. Carolina S. S. Carolina Florida Florida Mississippi Mississippi Alabama Alabama Georgia Georgia Louisiana Louisiana Texas Texas Virginia Virginia Arkansas Arkansas Tennessee Tennessee

A doctor of a regiment in the Civil War was called a Surgeon. On the Battle field, there were 2 types of hospitals. 1. Field Hospital – Typically a barn or tent near the Battle field. Used for emergency operations. 2. Pavilion Hospital – A hospital much like a hospital today. Used for long stays.

There were 3 categories for the wounded. Mortally Wounded – Usually left to their fate. Mortally Wounded – Usually left to their fate. Slightly Wounded – Also, left as well. Slightly Wounded – Also, left as well. Surgically Wounded – Mainly arm and leg wounds. Head and neck wounds were fatal. Surgically Wounded – Mainly arm and leg wounds. Head and neck wounds were fatal.

Most wounds were caused by weapons such as: Minnie Balls – Standard bullets of the war. Minnie Balls – Standard bullets of the war. Large Bullets – Many times shattered bones. Large Bullets – Many times shattered bones. Exploding Shells – Breaks bones Exploding Shells – Breaks bones Clubs – Used in close range fighting (many times their Rifles were used) Clubs – Used in close range fighting (many times their Rifles were used)

Although Surgeons had many antiseptics like Iodine Iodine Carbolic Acid Carbolic Acid Dichloride of Mercury Dichloride of Mercury Because Surgeons had to work quickly, they rarely cleaned the wounds.

Surgeons rarely cleaned their hands, instruments, and the wounds, before and after the they work At times, if a surgeon dropped his knife on the ground, he would either rinse it off or wipe is on his bloody jacket. (even if it fell in blood) The surgeons would clean up the body if they had time, but because of the conditions the patient would develop bacteria such as: Gangrene.

The wound dressings Consisted of Moist cotton Moist cotton Wet Bandages Wet Bandages a piece of fabric a piece of fabric The Surgeons would usually wipe some Iodine around the edges and send them to their fate. The Surgeons would usually wipe some Iodine around the edges and send them to their fate.

Typical reactions to the germs that the surgeons passed from patient to patient was Surgical Fever Surgical Fever Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Streptococcus Streptococcus These infections released poisonous toxins onto the blood stream. These infections released poisonous toxins onto the blood stream.

Amputations were used mainly on limbs that were mangled, or severely damaged. There were 2 types of amputations The The Flap Flap – usually was a large piece of skin that made the wound larger and was more open to infection. Circular Circular – a smaller area then the Flap, but left open to infection.

Doctors later realized that sealing the wound keep the bacteria inside the body. Within a few days, the patient would develop a fever and soon die. Later they discovered if they panted Iodine on the edges of the wound, then seal it with collodions, infection was less likely.

Any doctor of the civil war was considered a surgeon. Any doctor of the civil war was considered a surgeon. Though they had antiseptics, they still didn’t clean both the instruments, or the wounds. Though they had antiseptics, they still didn’t clean both the instruments, or the wounds.

Many instruments were used for amputations, stitches, and removing bullets. Many instruments were used for amputations, stitches, and removing bullets. There were bone cutting forceps, and hammers and chisels to trim and shape the bone. These types of sets were made for fast and clean cutting through bones. There were bone cutting forceps, and hammers and chisels to trim and shape the bone. These types of sets were made for fast and clean cutting through bones.