medical civil war vocab

5. The process of recovery, which often happened in general hospitals far from the front lines.
10. The primary tool for amputations, which gave surgeons the nickname "sawbones".
11. Temporary medical facilities, often established in barns or houses close to the battlefield, to provide immediate care.
13. At the war's start, medical training was poor. Over time, professional standards improved, and many women took on vital roles as volunteer nurses.
14. A frequent complication of other illnesses like measles and a leading cause of death, especially in winter.

1. The primary killers of the war, often caused by contaminated water, poor hygiene, and dietary deficiencies.
2. A disease often associated with lice and fleas in crowded environments.
3. A primary anesthetic used to keep patients unconscious during surgery, dispelling the myth that most soldiers "bit the bullet".
4. Neither were understood or used in the modern sense during the war. While some doctors used iodine or bromine, they lacked knowledge of germ theory.
6. A viral "childhood disease" that proved highly lethal for adult soldiers who had never been exposed to it before joining the army.
7. A severe bacterial infection characterized by chills and fever; it was one of the most common and feared camp diseases.
8. Used for pain relief and sometimes as a stimulant or to make bitter medicines more palatable.
9. The most common surgical procedure for limb wounds; it was often the only way to prevent fatal infections.
12. A standard device used to control severe bleeding on the battlefield.