Civil War meaning of the caduceus?

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Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Aug 25, 2012
Most of use recognize the caduceus with it's intertwined serpents worn by Hospital Stewards, but do most of know the symbolism behind it? Some people confuse the medical caduceus with the Club of Aesclepius (Asclapius or Esclapius) which was worn by Naval doctors staring in 1830. However, the two symbols are completely different and have different symbolism. For reference see the Naval doctor insignia below.

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So why did Navy doctors wear a snake on a club?
 

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When the Israelite's wandered in the wilderness, they murmured against God and Moses and Aaron. God sent fiery serpents among them, and when they cried to God for relief in penance, he told Moses to make a bronze serpent and affix it to a pole and when whoever was bitten, if they would gaze upon the serpent on the pole, they would be healed.
Later in the promised land, the people kept the serpent on a pole and eventually made it an idol. It was destroyed by a reformer king to turn the people back to God.
 
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