Medical Impression from Georgia

[Barrycdog]

Do you know of anyone doing a medical impression from Georgia? I remember someone at Tunnel Hill. The reason why I ask is I am a recent below the knee amputee and thought you might could use me to demonstrate an amputation. I thought I could design a fake leg and hobble out in front of a cannon and pretend you guys shot my leg off and throw the leg out near the crowd before I fell.

Probably too dramatic

 

[Robtweb1]

There used to be a number from Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, including myself, that would come to the Tunnel Hill event, but that was years ago. I moved away and am too old now anyway. I know that several were older than I. What you are suggesting would be be a great idea if you can do it safely. A good start to would be to contact the organisation that puts on the Tunnel Hill event. They should have some names and numbers.

 

[Republican Blues]

You can try www.georgiadivision.org or www.alabamadivision.org

 

[Slowfoot]

Hi,
I'm an assistant surgeon with the Georgia Division. Left you a message on your profile.

 

[M E Wolf]

I think it is extremely admirable of Barrycdog to volunteer in a special way as far as medical demonstrations that are just as important as firing a weapon or charging up a hill.

Bravo Barrycdog!

I hope there is a 'make up' artist and prop people around that might help add to the impression.

Keep us informed please! I do know that I want to see you excel in this impression and people appreciate your efforts.

M. E. Wolf

 

[unionblue]

Do you know of anyone doing a medical impression from Georgia? I remember someone at Tunnel Hill. The reason why I ask is I am a recent below the knee amputee and thought you might could use me to demonstrate an amputation. I thought I could design a fake leg and hobble out in front of a cannon and pretend you guys shot my leg off and throw the leg out near the crowd before I fell.

Probably too dramatic

Barrycdog,

What a heck of a way to demonstrate to spectators medical amputations in the field during the Civil War! I used to know one Union surgeon reenactor who would have sold his soul to Satan himself to have you for such a demonstration.

I really hope you find someone who will work with you and make such demos available for countless spectators.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[Barrycdog]

I need to practice my screams and chomping at the bit to add to the effect of sawing off a leg.

 

[Pvt.Shattuck]

I love it! Then the surgeon could toss one of those rubber Halloween legs with the bloody stump into a pile!
The HS kids in the classroom love the amputation part of my presentation. I tell them about the medical dispute as to whether one slice or two was best. One slice through both flesh and muscle to the bone, or two separate slices, with the first just to make a skin flap. They grow pale. Then I tell them about tying off arteries with filthy fingers- silk thread for Union soldiers and cotton for Rebels. Now the teacher is looking nervous. Usually the bell rings at about this point
By the way, I think you are a great sport. This kind of thing makes people feel more comfortable about disabilities because you are obviously so at ease and have such a great sense of humor about it. Laughter demystifies and removes fear. Kudos to you, Barrycdog.

 

[Barrycdog]

There is a story about the battle of Atlanta where Dr. Logan had limbs piled up beside an oak tree.

My 80 Years in Atlanta by Sarah Huff.
http://www.artery.org/08_history/UpperArtery/CivilWar/SaraHuff/My80YearsInAtlanta_All.pdf

 

[Robtweb1]

I love it! Then the surgeon could toss one of those rubber Halloween legs with the bloody stump into a pile!
The HS kids in the classroom love the amputation part of my presentation. I tell them about the medical dispute as to whether one slice or two was best. One slice through both flesh and muscle to the bone, or two separate slices, with the first just to make a skin flap. They grow pale. Then I tell them about tying off arteries with filthy fingers- silk thread for Union soldiers and cotton for Rebels. Now the teacher is looking nervous. Usually the bell rings at about this point
By the way, I think you are a great sport. This kind of thing makes people feel more comfortable about disabilities because you are obviously so at ease and have such a great sense of humor about it. Laughter demystifies and removes fear. Kudos to you, Barrycdog.

I used to go shopping the day after Halloween and buy those body parts half price. I had guys from one company who usually helped me and we would arrange a sheet to block what I was doing. I would saw a stick part way and then break it with a loud "pop". Then one of the guys would lift out the "severed limb". Had a female spectator faint once.

Let me add my kuddos to you, Barrydog.

 

[unionblue]

I need to practice my screams and chomping at the bit to add to the effect of sawing off a leg.

Barrycdog,

Good idea. I used to always practice my presentations when I gave classes in the military as an instructor and when I gave presentations to schools or public for Civil War reenactments.

Anything you can do to convey the sacrifice and suffering of the common soldier during that time will leave a lasting impression on folks and what those brave men had to go through from both sides.

I wish you well and every success.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[M E Wolf]

Might add that when the surgeons ran out of any kind of thread--horse tail hairs were next to be used....and that had to hurt as the horse tail is rather rough and had to have pulled on the tender skin raw from the incision.

M. E. Wolf

 

[Georgia Coast]

I need to practice my screams and chomping at the bit to add to the effect of sawing off a leg.

What a cool idea... but won't you need some whiskey, too?

 

[Barrycdog]

I will find a bottle with Ludnum written on it somewhere.

 

[Barrycdog]

I got my prosthetic today. I need to get my sea legs first.

 

[Elaine Kessinger]

First off... it's laudanum, spell it correctly or there's no telling what the apothecary will give you....and get some ether or chloroform, some simple cerates so you can avoid chemical burn from the anesthetic.. and if you're drinking alcohol, you aren't getting worked on, because anesthetics thins the blood and we don't want more of a bloody mess than necessary on the nice lady's carpet.
In truth, the team of surgeon/assistant surgeon, steward, patient, and several orderlies should go together to get items for their mutual display and presentation. Yes... the South DID have anesthetics for almost all of their surgeries, maybe they had ether when they'd prefer chloroform, or even better a mix of the two... but they almost always had *something*.

Second, not every person portraying a surgeon is into the "blood n guts" displays. Many find it offensive to make a melodramatic joke out of a very serious topic that is absolutely nothing to joke about.
Most medical demonstrations take place away from the battlefield, approximating a field dressing station.

Your volunteerism is to be commended for the unique learning opportunity it is and you need to make sure the surgeon you work with will take the subject as seriously and sensitively as the topic deserves.

If you are really serious, I have a friend in Atlanta I can put you in touch with.

 

[Barrycdog]

Sorry for the misspelling. Spell check tried to correct me but I refused. I agree, yelling and making noise is probably not the drama needed. I am in touch with someone in the Georgia Division and we will work together to do it right.

 

[Stiles/Akin]

There is a story about the battle of Atlanta where Dr. Logan had limbs piled up beside an oak tree.

My 80 Years in Atlanta by Sarah Huff.
http://www.artery.org/08_history/UpperArtery/CivilWar/SaraHuff/My80YearsInAtlanta_All.pdf

This website is down here is the original

My 80 years in Atlanta