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Founding of the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is founded. The organization comes together with the purpose of spreading and improving the education and innovation of American medical practice throughout the United States under one unified system. -
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Medicine Before, During, and After the Civil War
Medical practice, study, and innovation throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction Eras. As conflicts between the Union and the Confederacy intensified, medicine gained a larger role in military and politics with a greater understanding of treating injuries and illnesses as war and political unrest progressed. -
Long's Innovation in Anasthesia
Dr. Crawford Long's innovation in inhaled anesthesia gets published. Long's experiment with sulfuric ether was actually done on a patient during surgery on March 30, 1842. But it was not until this time that his discoveries were officially unveiled. By that point, recorded surgeries involving anesthesia were taking place, beginning in 1846. -
The Beginning of the Civil War and the Medicine Involved
The Battle of Fort Sumter takes place, officially starting the American Civil War. Interestingly, pandemics would spread among the soldiers as the war progressed. Arguably, disease was considered an even bigger killer than the Civil War itself, which remains to be remembered as the bloodiest war in US history. -
Robert. E. Lee Surrenders and Medicine's Advancement
Confederacy General Robert. E. Lee surrenders at the Appomattox Court House. This officially ended the Civil War era and brought forth the beginning of the Reconstruction Era. Medical practice on soldiers have greatly improved by this point. In the years between beginning of the fighting and this surrender, doctors quickly gained a better understanding on how to treat soldiers. Amputation being most famous. But also anesthesia, vegetables for scurvy, and treatments for typhoid, smallpox, etc. -
The Assasination of Abraham Lincoln
At Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, John Wilkes Booth shoots President Abraham Lincoln at point-blank range at the back of the head. 23 year old Dr. Charles Leale comes to treat Lincoln, who was paralyzed and struggling to breathe. With the limitations of medical technology at the time, they concluded they could not save Lincoln. Thus, Lincoln passes away the next morning. Booth would have Samuel Mudd treat his broken leg while escaping. The authorities would sentence Mudd to life in prison. -
AMA Judicial Council
AMA creates its Judicial Council. Its purpose is to establish a medical code of ethics among doctors throughout the United States. It is also designed to handle any medicine related controversies. This would allow the AMA to gain political power. -
Centennial International Exhibition of 1876
Medical Doctors from all over the world gather together for the International Medical Congress of 1876 during the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. Here, American doctors showed and exchanged the latest medical ideas and innovations. This was significant because it showed that America's medical practice has caught up with the rest of the world and is now on par with Europe in terms of quality. -
The End of the Recontstruction Era
