audiobook A Woman Doctor's Civil War: Esther Hill Hawks' Diary by Esther Hill Hawks in History

Description

From official records; personal letters; and postwar memoirs; Jack D. Welsh; M.D.; has compiled the medical histories of 425 Confederate generals. The generals’ early military experience; at West Point and in Florida; Mexico; or on the western frontier; meant that hundreds of them were exposed to and immunized against the diseases that killed so many soldiers in the Civil War; while many also were wounded or lost limbs. In addition; several survived street fights; duels; and shooting accidents-all before the war. Throughout the Civil War; most officers fought in spite’ of illness or wounds and spent little time in hospitals. Welsh mentions this fact not to point out bravery; but rather to illustrate the prevailing attitudes toward disease and injuries. Ninety-six Confederate generals died during the war; half of those who survived lived to age 70 or older. Welsh does not attempt to analyze the effects of an individual’s medical problems on a battle or the war; but whenever possible provides information about factors that may have contributed to the wound; injury; or illness; and the outcome. He also details the immediate care; logistics of transportation; timing of operations; and the remedies used or recommended by the physicians; when such data is available. This insight into the lives of men who often paid a high price for the Confederacy will prove fascinating for physicians; historians of medicine; and students of the Civil War.