The Forgotten Diseases of the Civil War: A Look at the Medical Epidemics of the Era
The Civil War was a significant event in American history, with over 620,000 soldiers losing their lives during the conflict. While the battles are well documented, the medical epidemics that ravaged both sides are often overlooked. Disease was responsible for more deaths than combat, and doctors had to battle against a range of medical issues that were difficult to treat. In this article, we’ll explore the forgotten diseases of the Civil War and how medical professionals handled them.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated food and water. During the Civil War, soldiers were exposed to unsanitary conditions on the battlefield, which made them susceptible to this disease. The symptoms of typhoid fever include high fever, weakness, abdominal pain, and headache. Doctors struggled to control it because there was no known cure for typhoid fever at the time. The only treatments were rest, fluids, and the use of a laxative. Typhoid fever claimed the lives of many soldiers on both sides.
Malaria
Malaria is a parasitic infection that’s transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease was prevalent in the South, where mosquitoes were abundant, and many soldiers were infected during their campaigns. The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. Doctors treated malaria with quinine, which was sourced from the bark of the South American cinchona tree. Although quinine was effective, it had to be imported from South America, which made it scarce and expensive. As a result, many soldiers suffered from the debilitating effects of malaria.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and other organs. The disease was widespread during the Civil War and was responsible for a significant number of deaths. The symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Because there was no cure for tuberculosis during the Civil War, doctors had to rely on supporting the body’s functions and controlling the symptoms. Many soldiers, weakened by tuberculosis, were unable to fight and eventually succumbed to the disease.
Dysentery
Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. The disease was prevalent in both Union and Confederate camps because of poor sanitation and contaminated water. Dysentery was difficult to treat, and many soldiers died from dehydration caused by the constant diarrhea. Doctors tried a range of treatments, including opium, which had a strong calming effect on the stomach and intestine. Opium was effective in treating the symptoms of dysentery, but it also caused addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Conclusion
The forgotten diseases of the Civil War had a significant impact on the health and well-being of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Medical professionals had to contend with a range of medical issues that were difficult to treat and often fatal. The diseases of the Civil War tested the limits of medical knowledge and showed the need for advances in medicine. Today, we take for granted the treatments that are available to us, but during the Civil War, doctors had to improvise and use the tools at their disposal. The lessons learned during the Civil War continue to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of good sanitation and hygiene in the prevention of disease.
