The National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library and a component of the National Institutes of Health, announces that a traveling banner exhibition, "Life and Limb: The Toll of the Civil War" will be on display December 18 through January 27 at United Hospital Center.

 

More than three million soldiers fought in the Civil War (1861-1865). More than half a million died and almost as many were wounded, but survived. Hundreds of thousands were permanently disabled by injuries or surgery, which saved lives by sacrificing limbs. These men served as a symbol of the fractured nation and remained a stark reminder of the costs of the conflict for long after the war.

 

“This exhibition really brings to light the experiences of the soldiers,” said Denise Steffich, volunteer coordinator to the Auxiliary to United Hospital Center. “We are honored to partner with the Harrison County Historical Society to help bring this traveling exhibit to North Central West Virginia.”

 

"Life and Limb" describes the damage caused by the weapons of the time, the treatment of wounds, and their consequences for the young men who survived. The narrative highlights aspects of life after the amputation of a limb, from military service in the Veterans Reserve Corps to civilian life and the use of artificial limbs.

 

The exhibition Web site features digitized images and documents, as well as educational resources for high school and undergraduate students and references for further research: //www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/LifeandLimb/exhibition.html.