Advancements in Med-Care since the Civil War Essay

In the early 1900’s medicine was making some steps closer into some great improvements for health and better understanding of the human body. Doctors with sufficient knowledge of the human body and cures for diseases and viruses were scarce. People were much more concerned with government and politics, than health and medicine, until one of the greatest and most grotesque lethal pandemics that’s struck the earth in human history. This pandemic the “Spanish Flu” spread so rapidly and had an extremely high mortality rate. This was caused by the close contact of humans and poor cleanliness and sanitation, and the host (virus) and the body taking harsh action

During this last visit, Dr. M made some mistakes which may have played a crucial role in Jacob acquiring an infection, or, in the least, contributed to negligence. After removing Jacob’s cast, Dr. M did not complete his examination of Jacob’s leg before he left the room to exam another patient, Sarah, in the room across the hall. Upon entering the room, he did not close the door. The most obvious mistake the doctor did was not washing his hands after his examination of Sarah, who has osteomyelitis, after which he returned to the first exam room to continue his examination of Jacob’s leg. Hand washing plays a major role in preventing cross-contamination when caring for patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2014), washing hands is an extremely important way to prevent the spread of infection from patient to patient or patient to health care professional. It is essential that all health care providers practice hand hygiene even if gloves are worn. There

Throughout history there were many gruesome and extensive wars that took place, like in the American Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War 1 and World War II. The medical procedures from the Revolutionary War to World War II have dramatically changed from what they knew then to what they knew of during World War II. For example, the Revolutionary war lacked so much knowledge about healing the wounded most died from infected wounds, in comparison to number of deaths in World War II little to none died from noncritical treated wounds. Another example, is the different anesthetics that were used throughout all these wars that helped treated different pains. Within these wars mentioned played major roles in the development of different medical techniques, procedures, and treatment.

At a time of improvements in society, the 20th century was a central time for scientific discoveries and enhancements. Specifically, medicine experiences a significant advancement during the 1900s. Starting out with the bare minimum, medical researchers invented life-changing technologies, which are continually used in the modern world. Without these developments, high death rates would remain prominent in society today and living conditions would still be in poor shape. Patient care, medical personnel treatment, and medical techniques greatly improved during the 1900s. Along with this, various drugs, vaccines, and procedures came into the medical field and saved many patients’ lives.

In the years of 1914-1918 the first World War was taking place. During this time supplies were short being we were caring for not only americans but our allies as well. The deliveries were sometimes late and generally contained less than what was ordered. That said, one can imagine there was more need for it and use for it than what we could provide, we began to remove the bandages from well enough soldiers and wash them and reuse them on a more wounded soldier. One may think that the bandages were sterile from washing them, but this is a mistake to assume. Generally the bandages were washed in cold water with little or no soap (once again due to lack of supplies). That said, one can imagine that the bacteria that was present survived the cleaning

Surgeons did not wear gowns or gloves. They did not realize that it mattered because they believed it came from bad air, not bacteria. Also, they did not cover their hair because they believed infection came from bad air rather than themselves. Surgeons did not wear masks to wear masks to cover their mouths or noses. During procedures, doctors did not sterilize the instruments they were using. The instruments they used were not easily cleaned or sterilized. (Lister’s carbolic spray, n.d. para. 4) Water in hospitals was mostly polluted and caused illness to both the patients and the doctors. (Joseph Lister and the story of antiseptic surgery, 2017, para.

As a recognized issue in the mid-1800s hand washing was observed to mean the difference in saving many mothers’ lives to whom just gave birth. In Europe, “childbed fever” left and average of one in four children without a mother due to the spread infection across sectors in medical centres (Western University 19). Observed in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Sammeweis ordered medical practitioners to wash their hands before assisting in labour. As a result, the mortality rate dropped to under one percent (Western University 20). Since then, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has named hand washing, “the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection” (Western University 20).

Hand washing and hand disinfection: more than your mother taught you. Anesthesiol Clin North America 22 (3): 457–71

The healthcare systems during this time were not very "healthy". Hospitals were filthy and overcrowded; with many people often being crowded two to a bed. This closeness of sick people, with already weak immune systems would also lead to even more sickness and death. The Hospitals themself were also dirty and doctors would reuse equipment that was still carrying traces of viruses and bacteria. Their neglectful practices lead to more sickness and death among those who seek out medical care. Surgeons also practiced experimental techniques on their patients, which were sometimes fatal. One example would be the cauterization of amputated limbs and the amputation of limbs with dirty tools, which often resulted in infections and soon after that death.

Patients who had surgery had to endure excruciating pain, because pain medication was not as excellent as they are today. On top of that half of them died. Doctors didn’t know why. Until a British surgeon who was named Joseph Lister figured out that bacteria can kill people. He discovered carbolic acid and insisted that his hospital to clean everything with this. Also instruments, dressing, and wounds must be cleaned with carbolic acid. Many people were still dying while in surgery, then Joseph realized the doctors and nurses who were doing the surgeries were carrying bacteria. He made a rule that doctors and everyone who works at his hospital wash their hands with disinfectant fervently. Hospitals around the globe liked his idea, and made

As early as 1825, recommendations for hand hygiene with solutions of lime chlorides and soda were published (Boyce & Pittet, 2002). The first real evidence of the benefit of hand hygiene was noted in 1846 when Ignaz Semmelweis recommended physicians delivering babies wash their hands before patient contact. The mortality rates of postpartum women dropped dramatically as a result of these interventions (Boyce & Pittet, 2002). Despite, this new evidence some doctors continued to refuse to wash their hands, stating that contaminated water was to blame ("Global Handwashing Partnership," 2017). During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale implemented hand hygiene practices as a result of the poor sanitary conditions noted in the hospital. Again,

Often times, when one thinks of the civil war and the men who fought and died, he often will only consider the deaths in terms of battle. However many do not consider that a large number of these deaths were linked to germs. In the Civil War, many soldiers died from diseases and lack of cleanliness because they did not know about hygiene or how to stay clean. Most soldiers touched many germ infested things without even knowing that those surfaces contained thousands of germs that could eventually cause disease. Although the Civil war is ancient history, germs, unfortunately are not. In today’s society, people have access to lifesaving vaccinations. In fact, vaccinations are the best way to prevent the spread of pathogens, because they help fight off diseases.

Imagine yourself in a war, any war. If you were injured you would want to go to the hospital, right? Not in these days.

Though underappreciated, advancements in medical technology are imperative to the success of the human race as a whole. For instance, some of the most common medical procedures such as amputation, surgeries, the modern ambulance, and anesthesia inhalers were created and popularized during the United States Civil War (Rowe). Both during the civil war and currently, the advancements decrease death tolls while making modern and future treatments safer, faster, and overall more efficient. They have also given the more prevailing advancements a stepping stone to develop and grow from, allowing the forthcoming medical technology to further advance. We see this same pattern happening perpetually, creating a loop of advancements that continue to build upon themselves and each other.

Florence Nightingale’s theory of cleanliness in the mid-1800’s focused on the patient environment through cleanliness as well as absence of chatter and false hopes. This thinking was revolutionary in her time. The impact of a dirty environment contributed to infectious disease and deaths of many soldiers which she was trying to save. Through simple change of hand washing, use of water, clean instruments improved the outcome for many soldiers. Currently use of hand hygiene, management of viral, fungal and bacterial