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A war that lasted 4 yrs. A war that lasted 4 yrs. (1861 – 1865) The war of (1861 – 1865) The war of the United States Federal the United States Federal Gov’t, and 11 southern Gov’t, and 11 southern States. States.

They were:They were:

N. CarolinaN. Carolina S. CarolinaS. Carolina FloridaFlorida MississippiMississippi AlabamaAlabama GeorgiaGeorgia LouisianaLouisiana TexasTexas VirginiaVirginia ArkansasArkansas Tennessee Tennessee

A doctor of a regiment in the Civil War was A doctor of a regiment in the Civil War was called a Surgeon. On the Battle field, called a Surgeon. On the Battle field, there were 2 types of hospitals.there were 2 types of hospitals.

1.1. Field HospitalField Hospital – Typically a barn or tent – Typically a barn or tent near the Battle field. Used for emergency near the Battle field. Used for emergency operations.operations.

2.2. Pavilion Hospital Pavilion Hospital – A hospital much like a – A hospital much like a hospital today. Used for long stays.hospital today. Used for long stays.

There were 3 categories There were 3 categories for the wounded.for the wounded.

Mortally WoundedMortally Wounded – – Usually left to their fate.Usually left to their fate.

Slightly WoundedSlightly Wounded – – Also, left as well.Also, left as well.

Surgically WoundedSurgically Wounded – – Mainly arm and leg Mainly arm and leg wounds. Head and wounds. Head and neck wounds were neck wounds were fatal.fatal.

Most wounds were caused by weapons Most wounds were caused by weapons such as:such as:

Minnie BallsMinnie Balls – Standard bullets of the war. – Standard bullets of the war.Large BulletsLarge Bullets – Many times shattered – Many times shattered

bones.bones.Exploding Shells Exploding Shells – Breaks bones– Breaks bonesClubsClubs – Used in close range fighting – Used in close range fighting

(many times their Rifles were used)(many times their Rifles were used)

Although Surgeons had many antiseptics Although Surgeons had many antiseptics likelike

IodineIodineCarbolic AcidCarbolic AcidDichloride of MercuryDichloride of Mercury

Because Surgeons had to work quickly, they Because Surgeons had to work quickly, they rarely cleaned the wounds.rarely cleaned the wounds.

Surgeons rarely cleaned their hands, instruments, Surgeons rarely cleaned their hands, instruments, and the wounds, before and after the they and the wounds, before and after the they workwork

At times, if a surgeon dropped his knife on the At times, if a surgeon dropped his knife on the ground, he would either rinse it off or wipe is ground, he would either rinse it off or wipe is on his bloody jacket. (even if it fell in blood)on his bloody jacket. (even if it fell in blood)

The surgeons would clean up the body if they had The surgeons would clean up the body if they had time, but because of the conditions the patient time, but because of the conditions the patient would develop bacteria such as: Gangrene.would develop bacteria such as: Gangrene.

The wound dressings The wound dressings Consisted of Consisted of

Moist cotton Moist cotton Wet Bandages Wet Bandages a piece of fabrica piece of fabric The Surgeons would The Surgeons would

usually wipe some usually wipe some Iodine around the Iodine around the edges and send them edges and send them to their fate.to their fate.

Typical reactions to the germs that the Typical reactions to the germs that the surgeons passed from patient to patient surgeons passed from patient to patient waswas

Surgical FeverSurgical FeverStaphylococcusStaphylococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus

These infections released poisonous toxins These infections released poisonous toxins onto the blood stream. onto the blood stream.

Amputations were used mainly on limbs that Amputations were used mainly on limbs that were mangled, or severely damaged.were mangled, or severely damaged.

There were 2 types of amputationsThere were 2 types of amputationsThe FlapThe Flap – usually was a large piece of – usually was a large piece of

skin that made the wound larger and was skin that made the wound larger and was more open to infection.more open to infection.

CircularCircular – a smaller area then the Flap, but – a smaller area then the Flap, but left open to infection.left open to infection.

Doctors later realized that Doctors later realized that sealing the wound keep sealing the wound keep the bacteria inside the the bacteria inside the body. body.

Within a few days, the Within a few days, the patient would develop a patient would develop a fever and soon die.fever and soon die.

Later they discovered if Later they discovered if they panted Iodine on they panted Iodine on the edges of the wound, the edges of the wound, then seal it with then seal it with collodions, infection collodions, infection was less likely. was less likely.

Any doctor of the civil Any doctor of the civil war was considered a war was considered a surgeon.surgeon.

Though they had Though they had antiseptics, they still antiseptics, they still didn’t clean both the didn’t clean both the instruments, or the instruments, or the wounds. wounds.

Many instruments were used for amputations, Many instruments were used for amputations, stitches, and removing bullets.stitches, and removing bullets.

There were bone cutting forceps, and hammers and There were bone cutting forceps, and hammers and chisels to trim and shape the bone. These types of chisels to trim and shape the bone. These types of sets were made for fast and clean cutting through sets were made for fast and clean cutting through bones.bones.