BCOF- #3 Disease

It was fascinating to read about the effects that disease had on the Civil War and all other wars preceding. Disease disrupted many battles. Lee's West Virginia campaign failed partially because so many of his men were ill. The most common diseases were measles, mumps and tonsilitis in the early days of the war because men from different areas came together to exchange germs. Many of them from outlying areas had little immunity. Diarrhea, venereal disease, and malaria became a greater threat than weapons. Most of this problem was exacerbated by the lack of knowledge about germs and the best placement of latrines. Two soldiers died from disease for every one killed in combat. This was an improvement from earlier war histories. Beyond this the medical doctors and the new legion of nurses were ill prepared to handle the wounds or the diseases. 18%-14% of the injured died of their wounds- and that was if they could make it off the battlefields. The only good thing about this horrible situation was that many changes were made that make life better today -from ambulances to a government agency to organize healthcare. Hmmm- healthcare... I guess we're still working on that one.