At the beginning of the Civil War, the practice of medicine was emerging from an era in which bleeding, cupping and purging were still practiced but were declining. Medical practitioners did not know the exact cause of many diseases or the mechanisms of infection, but they were beginning to understand the benefits of cleanliness and good sanitation in disease prevention and healing.
Unless struck in the head or about the heart, men mortally wounded live some time, often in great pain, and toss about upon the ground." Soldier from the 35th Massachusetts
Last updated: August 15, 2017