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“The Case of George Dedlow” – A Halloween Night Digital Program
October 31, 2020 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT
COVID-19 and closures won’t stop us from sharing the incredible lessons we can learn from studying medical care during the Civil War!
On Halloween Night, Saturday, October 31, at 8:00 PM, join Director of Interpretation Jake Wynn on the National Museum of Civil War Medicine’s Facebook Page for a *pre-recorded* reading of Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell’s “The Case of George Dedlow.”
In this haunting fictional account from 1866, Mitchell, a renowned Civil War surgeon, told the story of a soldier who lost multiple limbs to amputation during the conflict. The story was published by the Atlantic Magazine and confused readers who believed it to be a true story.
The story is a favorite of Wynn’s, and explores Civil War era phenomenon like “phantom limbs” and the obsession with spiritualism that resulted from the Civil War’s immense death toll.
Wynn will read the short story and discuss Mitchell’s place in Civil War medical history.
Like these programs? Consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member or donating to the Museum Your efforts ensure that we can continue sharing the story of Civil War medicine in this crucial time. In history, we can find hope amid our struggle against COVID-19.
