Diseases During the Civil War Essay - 3936 Words

We are all aware of the tragedy that took place in our nation from 1861 to 1865. The Civil War resulted in needless, devastating deaths of thousands of soldiers. What we might not be aware of, however, is the number one killer throughout those years. More soldiers died from this single calamity than battle wounds or blood loss. The catastrophe that tragically affected more soldiers than any other element of the war was disease. Diseases did not only affect the soldiers in a tremendous way. As I will discuss in greater detail further in this paper, diseases gave an advantage to the Northern side of the war, and this played a role in their victory. Additionally, the treatments and discoveries that were made as diseases were treated led†¦show more content†¦While each of those factors will not be elucidated in a clear and comprehensive manner, I will explain the effects and causes of soldiers in the war in general, and then specifically show what the effects and causes of diseases were on each side of the war. It will become clear which side diseases victimized in a more severe manner. Effects and Causes of Disease on Civil War Soldiers in General Although most people would not object to the idea that diseases played some sort of role in the Civil War, few truly realize the extent of their influence. As it was stated previously, diseases affected the Northern soldiers and the Southern soldiers in different ways and to different extents. Those differences will be examined later in this paper. There are some issues relating to diseases, however, that affected soldiers in general, not particularly one side of the war. Those factors will be observed here. Diseases affected the morality of soldiers in a fashion greater than all the other causes of death combined. The typical soldier fell sick two times a year, assuming he lived through the first disease. The death rate for diseases was about 53 per thousand men stricken with an illness (Adams 222). For every man that died in battle, two died from diseases (Guelzo 192). The death rate from diseases is probably higher than we have recorded, considering the soldiers that died at home after they had been discharged. Particular soldiers carried diseases inflicted upon themShow MoreRelatedAdvancements in Med-Care since the Civil War Essay1461 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican Civil War often gets credit for ending slavery and reshaping the federal government in this country. But the war between the states has another, often overlooked legacy: It may have started a new era in modern medicine† (â€Å"Civil War Medicine Quotes†). 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