Bleeding & Blistering - "Treatment" for pneumonia

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Letter from Martin S. Corbitt (Pvt, Co G, 50th Georgia) writing home about his brother William Brinkley Corbitt (Sgt. Co G, 50th Georgia) who was ill in camp near Fredericksburg:

April 5, 1863

Dear people I have bad news to write you. Wm. B. is very sick. He was taken with the pluracy and misery in his head and side. He has been out of his head nearly ever since he has taken. He is in his right mind now and says to write to you that he is not well but is on the mend. You need not be uneasy about his treatment. The boys is just as good to him as tho he was their brother ....Yesterday the Dockter bled him and gave him some powders this morning. He blistered him and continued the powders.......


On April 7, 1863, William was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital No 2 in Richmond where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and died on April 14, 1863.
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The doctor providing the treatment described above? It was likely Dr. David Smith Brandon (b. 1821 in Gwinnett, GA.) Dr. Brandon was a real doctor, having earned his medical degree from The College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, NY in 1847 and having practiced medicine in his home state of Georgia at least 12 years. He originally enlisted as a Pvt. in Capt. Cicero H. Young's Company "Thomas County Rangers" which subsequently became Co. E, 50th Georgia Infantry. He signs as serving as Surgeon of the regiment April 28, 1862; received appointment on July 9, 1862; and resigned Feb 7, 1863. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8327875
 
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