Treating War's Wounds: Innovations in Medicine from the Civil War
Bullet Removal
The Lead Minie
Almost all combat related injuries from the Civil War came from the canoidal leaden minie ball. This tiny conical piece of lead more accurately reached its target than the traditional musket ball. Although lead is dense and heavy, it is a relatively soft metal and does not easily hold its shape. A projectile made from it, such as the minie, has a tendency to flatten upon impact and increase in surface area, causing great damage to life and limb. This instrument of war posed a major problem for the Civil War Surgeon.
1. Leaden Minie Balls
circa 1850
Courtesy of The State Historical Society of Iowa |
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Bullet Probe
If a bullet could not be located with the fingers, the Civil War surgeon could do so with the help of various probing devices. The probe of Nelaton, with its wire handle and porcelain tip, was an invaluable tool for discerning lead from bone and aiding in bullet extraction.
2. Probe
circa 1850
Courtesy of the UI College of Medicine |
Bullet Forceps
For extracting bullets and debris from wounded soldiers, surgical kits of the time were equipped with specialized forceps. Most bullets at the time did not travel fast enough to exit the body and thus had to be removed. Various forceps devices emerged as a result, some with a serrated "cup" shape to better grasp rounded projectiles.
3. Bullet Forceps
circa 1850
Courtesy of the UI College of Medicine |
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