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HIST 405 AMERICAN HISTORY WEEK 3 CASE STUDY (Medical War vs Civil War) 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATED SERIES CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
MEDICAL PRACTICES MEXICAN WAR VS. CIVIL WAR 2
The period from 1812 to 1848 was marked by significant events and developments that
influenced the future of the nation. The Mexican War (1846-1848) and the American Civil War
(1861-1865) played crucial roles in shaping America’s expansion and development. These
conflicts not only emphasized the evolving nature of American military strategies but also
highlighted advancements and limitations in military medicine. The Mexican-American War
marked a phase of early military engagements that tested and began to refine medical practices,
while the Civil War brought about substantial innovations and challenges in medical care, paving
the way for future improvements in the field.
Medical Care Challenges During the Mexican War and the Civil War
During the Mexican War, medical care faced numerous challenges due to inadequate
infrastructure and limited medical knowledge. Surgeons had minimal training, and medical
supplies were often scarce. The conditions in field hospitals were poor, with unsanitary practices
exacerbating the spread of infections and diseases (Tannenbaum, 2018). Limited understanding
of antiseptic techniques and the absence of organized medical evacuation systems contributed to
high mortality rates from wounds and diseases (Corbett et al., 2026).
The American Civil War brought a significant increase in the scale of warfare, which in
turn magnified medical challenges. Although medical knowledge had advanced somewhat since
the Mexican War, many of the same issues persisted. Despite better-organized medical services
and increased supplies, Civil War surgeons faced limited knowledge of germ theory and
antiseptic procedures (Tannenbaum, 2018). The war saw the introduction of new medical
techniques and a more structured approach to medical care, including the creation of the Sanitary
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