Medical Inventions from War: The American Civil War

The Civil War was a pivotal conflict in U.S. history, lasting from 1861 to 1865, and ending with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. It abolished slavery and led to significant medical advancements, particularly in amputation practices. Approximately 60,000 of the 80,000 surgeries performed were amputations, which were often done without anesthetic. Despite being painful and unsanitary, these procedures saved many lives by preventing infections. The war's medical innovations were crucial in developing better infection control methods.

What was the main outcome of the Civil War?

• The victory of the Confederate States

• The continuation of slavery

• The establishment of the Confederate States

• The end of slavery and changes in American life

How many surgeries performed during the Civil War were amputations?

• About 20,000

• About 60,000

• About 40,000

• About 80,000

What was a key reason for performing amputations during the Civil War?

• To improve soldiers' mobility

• To prevent infection

• To experiment with new techniques

• To reduce medical costs

How long could a skilled doctor take to perform an amputation by the end of the Civil War?

• Under 4 minutes

• Under 6 minutes

• Under 2 minutes

• Under 8 minutes

What percentage of soldiers survived after undergoing amputation during the Civil War?

• 75%

• 25%

• 50%

• 95%