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About the Topic:
Unfortunately, the state of medical knowledge at the time did not recognize the contagion of microorganisms producing many of the diseases responsible for these deaths. Nor did physicians recognize the importance of aseptic technique in surgery.
Dr. Willen's presentation discusses the medical and surgical practices during the Civil War, the doctors and nurses responsible for carrying out these practices, the care and transportation of the wounded, and the support groups at the time, such as the Sanitary and Christian Commissions.
He is a Civil War Medical lecturer and reeanactor, portraying both Union and Confederate army surgeons as a member of the Blue and Gray Hospital Association.
In addition to lecturing on Civil War medicine, Dr. Willen has given many presentations about the medical aspects of the Lincoln assassination and about Charles Leale, the first physician to attend the president after he was shot at Ford’s Theatre.
Dr. Willen also serves as a docent at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, MD; the National Museum of American History; and the Anderson House, the headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati in Washington, DC.
Dr. Willen is the current president of the Civil War Round Table District of Columbia and serves on the Board of Directors of the Society Of Civil War Surgeons.
