During the American Civil War about three quarters of all operations performed (about 60,000) were amputations. “The amputation and surgical set consists of a rectangular, wood case with hinged lid and fourteen instruments. Both the lid and the bottom of the case are lined with faded, red velvet with compartments fitted to the instruments. The instruments are a capital saw, a rongeur, a tourniquet, two trephines (one with a brass…

IT SEEMS strange and paradoxical even that war with the horrors of the battlefield should serve to bring out the highest virtues and noblest impulses of mankind. The same cannon ball that carries death and injury, that destroys many a hopeful life, arouses at the same time along its swift and fatal course an increased feeling of patriotism, awakens bravery and incites men to the most brilliant deeds of heroism….