Civil War Medicine: A Surgeon's Diary - Hardcover

Civil War Medicine: A Surgeon's Diary

This primary source historical document presents the authentic diary of James Fulton, a 29-year-old Union army surgeon who documented his medical experiences during the Civil War from 1862 onwards. Written in real-time during some of the most critical campaigns of the war, this diary provides an unfiltered account of battlefield medicine and military healthcare during one of America's deadliest conflicts.

Authentic Civil War Medical Documentation

James Fulton joined a Union army volunteer regiment in 1862 and immediately began recording his daily experiences in a pocket diary. His firsthand account captures the harsh realities of treating wounded and diseased soldiers under extreme conditions. The diary survived his capture by Confederate forces at Gettysburg, where his medical instruments were confiscated, yet Fulton managed to preserve this crucial historical record throughout his service.

Comprehensive Coverage of Military Medicine

The diary spans two years of detailed observations, documenting Fulton's interactions with soldiers, commanding officers, civilians, fellow healthcare workers, and Confederate army personnel. His entries include practical medical recipes and treatments for conditions ranging from sore throats to syphilis, offering insight into the medical knowledge and practices available during the 1860s.

Expert Historical Analysis and Context

Editor Robert D. Hicks, Director of the Mütter Museum and William Maul Measey Chair for the History of Medicine at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, provides scholarly context throughout the volume. Contributing experts in Civil War medicine examine the technology, methods, and organizational structure of military healthcare during this period. The book explores doctor-patient relationships, the development of medical practices under wartime conditions, and the essential roles women played as caregivers and relief workers.

Essential Reading for Civil War History

Published by Indiana University Press, this hardcover edition offers researchers, historians, and Civil War enthusiasts access to a previously unpublished primary source document. The combination of Fulton's raw diary entries and expert scholarly commentary creates a comprehensive resource for understanding the medical challenges faced during one of the worst health crises in United States history.

About the Author: Robert D. Hicks is Director of the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, where he holds the William Maul Measey Chair for the History of Medicine. He is the author of Voyage to Jamestown: Practical Navigation in the Age of Discovery.