The Civil War and Advances in Medicine on the Battle Field

Abraham Lincoln, during his inaugural address of 1861, had these words to say:  “In your hands and not in mine is the momentous issue of civil war.”  In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared the end of slavery forever.  For his advancement of Black Americans he is recognized not only on his birthday on February 12th, but during the month of February, as part of Black History Month.  His birthday is not an official holiday, yet, he is recognized by all during the month for his part is preserving the United States of America.  As we think back on his life and achievements, we are reminded of the advances in medicine the country saw during the Civil War.

Pornography

During the civil war, with the advances in the photography and media distribution, soldiers had easier access to sexual Civil War Cannonmaterial.  Some of the actual manuals/magazines are preserved in the Kinsey Institute of Indiana University.  Even during war time, sex and sexual issues were on the front lines.  With the men gone off to war, women are left behind to try to provide for the family.  Unemployment was high under President Lincoln and without too many jobs available to women, many turned to prostitution to support the family.  With the increase in prostitution, especially in the cities, there was an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, as condoms were not readily available or used.  The records of this time in history shows that the average cases with the Union Army were 82 cases per every 1000 men.  The Confederate Army’s records were burned, but it is felt the cases were lower as the southern army did not stay near big cities as much as the Union army.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality was not discussed much, but there is documented punishment for having relations with another male soldier.  The Union Army also had black soldiers and they did have cases of sexually transmitted diseases during the Civil War.  Prostitution had grown to such large numbers that physicians tried to have a record of how many brothels and prostitutes were in a city.  A newspaper estimated that between 1861 and 1865, the cities surrounding Washington D.C., had 7500 recorded female prostitutes and several young male prostitutes, but the males were not part of the official records.  Due to the growth of STDs, medical research was helpful in the advancement of health care not only for the soldiers, but for the prostitutes that served the camps.

Sexual Infections

Although our country saw many advances in medicine during this time, the sexually transmitted diseases of the Civil War are all still present today.  Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis were documented during President Lincoln’s time and contributed to deaths on the battle field and for years afterward for many that did not seek treatment.  Today, these same STDs are present and causing illness and even deaths when early detection and treatment has not been started.  With modern medicine and easy access to STD testing centers, those that participate in unprotected sex can receive treatment much easier than those that lived in the 1860s.

Condoms

While condoms were invented during this time in history and some of the population used them, many did not.  Today, condoms are found in bars, bathrooms and at almost every corner store.  Many clinics and even schools give condoms out to encourage the use during sexual activities.  The 1860s saw many changes in the country and among its population, but there were also advances in recognizing cleanliness as medicine advanced in what many considered the coming out of the dark ages of medicine.

Safe sex has been pushed for generations, and history is a wake up call to review human actions.  Take responsibility in your own hands for the future decline in sexually transmitted diseases by wearing condoms and seeking out a STD testing center.

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