In this never before published diary, 29-year-old surgeon James Fulton transports readers into the harsh and deadly conditions of the Civil War, as he struggles to save the lives of the wounded and diseased under his care.
"This is not only a fascinating firsthand look at the experiences of a Civil War Surgeon who participated in some of the most notable actions of the war, it is also a deep and unique meditation on the meaning of Dr. Fulton's work and the broader medical, military, and cultural significance of his Civil War experience."—Daryl Black, Executive Director of Seminary Ridge Museum
"Civil War Medicine tells the story of Assistant Surgeon James Fulton of the 143rd Penn. Inf. Well written and detailed, this book is a must for any Civil War medical enthusiast."—Peter J. D'Onofrio, President of the Society of Civil War Surgeons, Inc.
"In Civil War Medicine: A Surgeon's Diary, Robert D. Hicks has produced an imminently useful book that includes the transcribed and annotated diary of Dr. James Fulton, who served as assistant surgeon with the Pennsylvania's Bucktail Brigade; an introduction that clearly and concisely situates Fulton, who hailed from Chester County, Pennsylvania, in his social, political, and medical milieu; and a collection of essays by prominent experts in the field who find in the diary all sorts of opportunities to look at Civil War through Fulton's eyes—and his hands."—Judith Giesberg, author of Sex and the Civil War
"This book is an incredible resource for anyone interested in the human experience of the Civil War—as recorded by a medical professional tasked with saving lives in America's bloodiest conflict. Dr. Fulton's diary and the essays by preeminent experts in the field of Civil War Medicine reveal the story of the birth of our modern health care system. Thankfully this diary landed in the able hands of Robert D. Hicks, an equally great storyteller, scholar, and historian."—David Price, Executive Director of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Robert D. Hicks is Director of the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, where he holds the William Maul Measey Chair for the History of Medicine. He is the author of Voyage to Jamestown: Practical Navigation in the Age of Discovery.