Not to be Missed

This post by JeromeProphet on one of Springfield's original families and the hardship they endured. Let's never kid ourselves that those were in anyway better times. I often think about the horrible loss of children's lives that routinely occurred in the not-so-distant past. I don't think I would have been strong enough to endure the death of multiple children.

I recently heard a an interview on NPR with a man who has authored a book on medical practices during the Civil War. What was really depressing was his answer to the question, "What medical advances were made during the Civil War era?". The answer: almost none. In fact, by 1865 medicine still hadn't advanced much since the time of Christ. They knew nothing of bacteria and other microorganisms, had no effective medicine and understood nothing of healthy hygiene.

Say what you will about the invention of the auto or airplane or the computer but the medical advances made beginning in the late 19th century and continuing today are THE big leap forward for humankind.