Question

What often happened to wounded soldiers during the Civil War?

Answer 1

Many of them died from infection, Others became addicted to opium.

Explanation:

The infection rate of wounded soldiers was very high. Many died on the operating table as saws were used to remove wounded limbs. The saws were not sterilized between patients causing a high rate of infection. More soldiers died of infection and disease than died on the battlefield.

In the Union Army opium was used to ease the pain of the amputation of a limb, or the surgery to remove a mimi ball from deep inside the body. Large number of union soldiers became addicted to the opium and remained addicts the rest of their lives. Fewer southern soldiers became addicted because of a severe shortage of medical supplies in the Confederate army.