The amendment to this appropriations act authorized printing of the first volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion and a separate statistical publication. Under the secretary of war, the surgeon general oversaw the medical research—which concluded in 1888 with six detailed, illustrated volumes covering every aspect of Civil War military medicine.
For the purpose of preparing for publication under the direction of the Secretary of War…five thousand copies of the first volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the Rebellion, compiled by the Surgeon General… .
Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
H.R. 737, Appropriation for Sundry Civil Expenses of the Government for the year ending June 30th, 1867
Civil War Medicine
To provide for the nation’s welfare, Congress acts to promote health and prosperity. In 1866 Congress authorized publication of the Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion. Compiled by the Army Surgeon General’s staff from Union and Confederate records of military medicine, it was the United States’ first major federal contribution to medical research. Soldiers who survived the war had a significant presence in Congress. Many senators and representatives served in the Union and Confederate Armies, and Congress employed Civil War veterans as staffers into the 20th century.
The amendment to this appropriations act authorized printing of the first volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion and a separate statistical publication. Under the secretary of war, the surgeon general oversaw the medical research—which concluded in 1888 with six detailed, illustrated volumes covering every aspect of Civil War military medicine.
For the purpose of preparing for publication under the direction of the Secretary of War…five thousand copies of the first volume of the Medical and Surgical History of the Rebellion, compiled by the Surgeon General… .
Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
