what Doctors wore

[VMurphy]

I've been asked the question,"what type of clothing did the doctors in the hospitals wear" ?
In preparing for a large regional convention here in Keokuk, a presentation on the 7 hospitals that were here is being presented. I assume they wore civilian attire. Did they wear a coat of any kind or just an apron? Were white coats worn?
Thanks for any anwers you might have...
Regards
Vivian Murphy

http://www.themantuamaker.net

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: what Doctors wore

First- Is this a Doctor or Surgeon? Official member of the military or civilian adjunct? Are they actually "at work" or "escorting visitors on a tour of the hospital"? How early or late in the war is your senerio? Is this a stationary general hospital, field hospital, or temporary hospital?
Some more information will help me to know which of my friends to harrass about answering your questions. :)

[VMurphy]

Re: what Doctors wore

Elaine...
As I mentioned, this is a presentation to a group of historians, about the 7 local stationary general hospitals that were in Keokuk during the war. So I'm speaking about active doctors on duty in the hospitals, not necessarily what they wore during surgery but when in the hospitals caring for patients. Although it would be helpful to also know what they wore during surgery, too.
Keokuk was well known as a point of drop off for the wounded, from Vicksburg,Shiloah, etc. and the home of many civil war doctors as well as the first National Cemetary west of the Mississippi.
Thanks for your help
Vivian Murphy

[NoahBriggs]

Re: what Doctors wore

US Army surgeons wore the uniforms of military officers, regardless if they were in surgery or on the rounds. Assistant surgeons wore single-breasted frock coats, and senior surgeons wore double breasted frock coats. Officer uniformas are private purchase, so you will see variations here and there.

White coats are in the future. Also, strange as it may seem (to the point of reenactor heresy) it appears they did not bother with aprons. Aprons don't show up on inventory forms, nor are there records of requisitions.

General hospitals sometimes had contract surgeons, which is just as it sounds - a civilian physician who received pay for working in the military hospitals. They wore civilian clothes, whatever befitted their economic situation and image projection - you don't need top hats and fancy frocks to be a doctor. Sacks and cloth caps are legal.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: what Doctors wore

Madame-
I am not trying to get smart with you. I am not familiar with the western areas during the war, and so did not know the vital part that Keokuk played.
Thanks for taking over Noah!

[sthabig]

Re: what Doctors wore

Here is a good picture of surgeons and one appears to be wearing an apron.


Tyler Habig

[VMurphy]

Re: what Doctors wore

Elaine....I deeply appologize if what I wrote sounded curt :( it certainly wasn't intended. I very much appreicate your response to my question.
I think Noah answered my question. The doctors here would have definitely been civilian....so "dittos" or a sack/trousers would be sufficient.... With perhaps an apron if he were working on a patient???
This is what I was after...thank you all very much. :)
Regards
Vivian Murphy

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: what Doctors wore

Mr. Habig,
Could you please state the source for this image. I cant enlarge it enough with clarity to agree with you.
As stated by Mr. Briggs there is no evidence that wearing of an apron by Medical Personel was a common occurence.
YOS

[sthabig]

Re: what Doctors wore

I by no means pretend to be an expert in this subject, just expressing my opinion. I don't know whether or not it would be a common occurrence, I had possibly misinterpreted him as saying never was there an instance.

Here is the source:

http://www.braceface.com/medical/Civil_War_Articles/Civil_War_Army_Surgeon.htm

Thanks,
Tyler Habig

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: what Doctors wore

Mr. Habig,
Please accept my applologizes for sounding concending. I merely wanted to convey a doubt based on Quartermaster records and diaries where we find no reference to clothing protection used by Physicians. Something very over represented in the hobby as a whole.
Thank you for sharing this image. I think what we are viewing is a lesson in anotomy or possible a demonstration of an amputation.
There is a disection of the shoulder joint, and I couldnt see any evidence of lower extremeties. Usually staged images such as these were done on cadavers and as I see no evidence of Anestesia being administered.
I welcome the thoughts of others on this image.
YOS,
Surgeon CMF

[sthabig]

Re: what Doctors wore

Mr. Habig,
Please accept my applologizes for sounding concending. I merely wanted to convey a doubt based on Quartermaster records and diaries where we find no reference to clothing protection used by Physicians. Something very over represented in the hobby as a whole.
Thank you for sharing this image. I think what we are viewing is a lesson in anotomy or possible a demonstration of an amputation.
There is a disection of the shoulder joint, and I couldnt see any evidence of lower extremeties. Usually staged images such as these were done on cadavers and as I see no evidence of Anestesia being administered.
I welcome the thoughts of others on this image.
YOS,
Surgeon CMF

Sir,

You need not apologize. I guess the point I was trying to make is that it is possible doctors, surgeons etc. did to their preference (or availability) use aprons. I hope others will find this image useful.

Thanks,

Tyler