During the American Civil War more soldiers died of disease than in battle, and even larger numbers were temporarily incapacitated by wounds, disease and accidents.

There were epidemics of childhood diseases like chicken pox, mumps, whooping cough, and, especially, measles. Harsh weather, bad water, inadequate shelter in winter quarters, poor policing of camps, and dirty camp hospitals took their toll.

The 19th century refers to the 1800s.

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PERSPECTIVE

Ignaz Semmelweis requires physicians to wash their hands before delivering babies in 1847.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

Joseph Lister published a paper introduction antiseptic surgical methods in 1867.

John Hopkins Hospital opened in 1889.

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The Union responded by building army hospitals in every state. What was different in the Union was the emergence of skilled, well-funded medical organizers who took proactive action, especially in the much enlarged United States Army Medical Department, and the United States Sanitary Commission, a new private agency.

The war had a dramatic long-term impact on American medicine, from surgical technique to hospitals to nursing and to research facilities.

Medical Response

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