Medical Inventions from War: The American Civil War

The Civil War was a pivotal conflict in U.S. history, lasting from 1861 to 1865, and ending with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. It abolished slavery and led to significant medical advancements, particularly in amputation practices. Approximately 60,000 of the 80,000 surgeries performed were amputations, which were often done without anesthetic. Despite being painful and unsanitary, these procedures saved many lives by preventing infections. The war's medical innovations were crucial in developing better infection control methods.

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