American History Hit How To Survive the Revolutionary War
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Aug 25, 2025 Dr. Sanders Marble, a Senior Historian at the Army Medical Department Center of History & Heritage, shares his expertise on military medicine honed over 20 years. He paints a harrowing picture of the Revolutionary War, where soldiers faced not only physical wounds but rampant diseases like smallpox. Discussing the challenges surgeons faced with limited training and hygiene, he highlights the formation of a dedicated medical branch and the struggles of early medical leaders. It's a fascinating glimpse into the brutal realities of wartime healthcare and the evolution of medical practices.
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Field Hospital Horror
- Don Wildman describes arriving at a makeshift field hospital after a 1776 battle, facing stench and crowded wounded.
- The scene conveys how primitive wartime care felt like a barn rather than a sanctuary.
Infection Outpaced Gunfire
- Infection often killed soldiers faster than enemy fire during the Revolutionary War.
- Amputation frequently became a primary treatment because post‑operative infection was common.
'See One, Do One' Medicine
- Most physicians avoided major surgery because postoperative infections were nearly inevitable.
- Medical training relied on apprenticeship and hands‑on learning rather than formal surgical experience.