#192-CIVIL WAR SALE: MEDICAL BLEEDING FLEAM, AN IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT FOR THE FIELD SURGEON

Bleeding, today considered barbaric (as are the thousands of amputations at the emergency field hospital that was a tent!) had been done by medical practitioners for centuries and hadn't yet fallen out of fashion 160-165 years ago durint the war.

For many years field doctor were criticized for their nearly instanteous decisions to amputate much like an assembly (or disassembly) line. The conditions were poor, and among other problems, the doctor might have to use a pan of water that looked almost like pure blood after a while. Water was usually at a premium and speed was considered imperative. Infection was the enemy and it was combated by the extreme speed of the surgeons.

These doctors were actually heroes not hacks. They were experienced and trained in removing limbs when they couldn't be saved--or if saving them would endanger their chances of recovery.

With the typical medical kit, the doctors were at leasts well-equipped in some aspects. A large amputation knife was used to cut away the typically mangled flesh, followed by cutting through the bone with the specifically designed saw.

They would immediatley cut a large flap of skin above the point of amputation, pulling it over the stump and sewing the wound shut once flesh and bone were removed. This technique saved literally thousands--perhaps tens of thousands--lives of injured soldiers; a doctor could be ready for the next patient in as little as 15 minutes. And they would be operating for hours on a very large number of wounded.

Doctors could readily tell if a limb could be saved and even when the attempt was made, there was a very high percentage chance that infection would kill the patient. While the work went on in "the operating room/tent!" the pile of amputated arms and legs grew to a coupue feet (no pun intended) high.

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