1863 CIVIL WAR SURGEON. Lectures for Training "Instant" Surgeons During the Civil War

An absolutely fascinating look into the accelerated training received to train the quantity of "instant" surgeons required for service during the Civil War.

The superb 63pp full manuscript of medical “case” lectures, delivered in 1863, belonged to Cromwell O. Johnson. Originally a Principal of the Louisiana Institute [for the Deaf and Dumb], Johnson returned to school at the Medical University of New York in late 1862, and graduated with his medical certification in the spring of 1863. He then enlisted as an assistant surgeon of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, also known as the 34th Pennsylvania, and acted as assistant Surgeon in March of 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Unfortunately, just six months into his service, an undefined hand issue forced him to resign active duty. He did however return to service with the Minnesota Cavalry in Brackett's Battalion on March 19, 1864, aiding in fight against “American Indian uprisings.”

The 63 rather full, detailed pages include case studies of Abscess of the Liver, which was often a secondary infection caused by the amoebic dysentery that affected so many soldiers; Hydatids caused by tape worms, again, prominent because of the lack of access to sanitation on the battlefields; Hepatic Dropsey [Asites, Cirrhosis] of the Liver; Hypochondriasis [Anxiety Disorder; Also Known as “Soldier’s Heart”]; Dysenteric Diarrhea [or, the Virginia Quickstep]; etc.

Very good condition. Paginated 97-160, continued from a no-longer known separate manuscript. The case studies mentioned complete.