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During the Civil War, many of the techniques in medicine that we now take for granted had not yet be invented and the proper treatment for many communicable diseases was limited. The deaths in the hospitals were as numerous as the deaths on the battlefield. These facts made being wounded in battle or even just getting sick something to really worry about. Even very minor wounds were often fatal. The prevailing idea of what was …

…of much fear for soldiers. Before a surgical procedure, the doctor would examine the wound and decide what medical procedure was necessary. Then the doctor would remove the knives from his mouth and would hastily wipe them off on his blood-stained apron. Then he would begin the operation. Medicine during this time period was cruel and many men chose death over being treated. Amputation being the most popular procedure was sadly also the most painful.