Civil War Nursing

This is such a great article. In my microbiology class we had to do a journal from the viewpoint of being a nurse in the Civil War and how we would do aseptic technique. I did a lot of research on Dorthea Dix and she was an incredible woman. All of the things she brought to nursing was incredible. One of the things I did not know was it was men who were initially nurses. It was Dorthea Dix who started with women. We as women have come a long way in nursing and we have all of these wonderful women to thank for it.

Thank you! I am a huge history buff! I am always glad to meet another! Thank you for your insight!

Nursing in the civil war was largely done by men. Out of neccessity. There were simply too many wounded and sick without any organized system in place to care for them. One of the best was Chimborazo hospital located just outside Richmond which had one of the lowest mortality rates of any facilty during the war. The National Park Service has an excellent museum located on the site.Chimborazo Hospital - Richmond National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Quote from ChiscaNursing in the civil war was largely done by men. Out of neccessity. There were simply too many wounded and sick without any organized system in place to care for them. One of the best was Chimborazo hospital located just outside Richmond which had one of the lowest mortality rates of any facilty during the war. The National Park Service has an excellent museum located on the site.Chimborazo Hospital - Richmond National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)

I read that the symbol for the Red Cross came from the symbol some of the Crusaders wore on their armor. Those were assigned the duty of caring for the wounded...

I would like to add Florence Nightingale to that list. Although not an American nurse, her reforms on sanitation where used in the Civil War by other nurses and doctors.

Thank you for your interesting article. I love history. Reading the synopsis of these brave and dedicated women is inspiring. It must have been so difficult.

Thank you for helping to expand our knowledge of nursing's roots. I knew about the first three, but not about the others. My but we have come a long way!!