Transforming American Military Medicine:
How the Civil War Fostered an Elite Profession
Abstract:
Throughout history, medicine and warfare have been intimately intertwined. As armies increased in size and their weapons became deadlier, the medical community was challenged to respond to higher rates of disease and mortality. Through the trials and tribulations of the Crimean and American Civil Wars, medicine evolved from a set of archaic practices to modern ones. Florence Nightingale, Franklin Olmsted, William Hammond, and Jonathan Letterman were four of the main reformers during this nineteenth century. Faced with crumbling medical departments during times of war they used their excellent administrative abilities to improve medical conditions. Due to their efforts these individuals successfully put in place the framework for modern military medicine. During their respective tenures each contributed to creating a highly professional military medical field. In turn, this professionalism influenced the broader field of civilian medicine and helped form the modern system of emergency care we receive today.