# How did soldiers treat their wounds thousands of years ago?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 10, 2016, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678 "2016-02-10T03:50:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678/41 "2016-02-13T02:33:35Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> [http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci\_23571973/gettysburg-150th-musicians-were-part-civil-war-battle](http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_23571973/gettysburg-150th-musicians-were-part-civil-war-battle)
> 
> _Often, during battle, the musicians would retreat to the rear and serve as stretcher bearers._  
> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military\_and\_Processional\_music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_and_Processional_music)  
> _The role of stretcher bearer is found with musicians and bandsmen worldwide, however, in the British Army, they are properly trained medical assistants, able to serve in field hospitals, and performing minor surgery (as required), as well as first-aid, and administering injections and medicines._  
> [The World of the Civil War: A Daily Life Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A Daily ... - Google Books](https://books.google.com/books?id=0I4qCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA492&lpg=PA492&dq=musicians+army+stretcher+bearers&source=bl&ots=3CMEi0PDaK&sig=SZVvrW-Al_Vv2Cr9dyYW41y6C2s&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjO2-2rzvPKAhUD72MKHZZ9DkEQ6AEIODAF#v=onepage&q=musicians%20army%20stretcher%20bearers&f=false)
> 
> _Bandsmen were sometimes detailed as stretcher bearers and hospital assistants._

Huh. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678/42 "2016-02-13T15:17:29Z")

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> [@nearwildheaven](#):
>
> No, the risk of infection to the people having it done.
> 
> [Fish Pedicures: Bacteria in Your Foot Soak - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/fish-pedicure-infections/story?id=16348565)

I just walked past one today. The sign said 150 baht for 15 minutes. That’s about US$4.25.

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**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-soldiers-treat-their-wounds-thousands-of-years-ago/745678/43 "2016-02-15T19:24:37Z")

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> [@nearwildheaven](#):
>
> Dakin’s Solution is still used extensively, usually for bedsores and diabetic ulcers. It’s almost a homeopathic strength, usually 0.05% or even 0.005%. I’ve made it many times; you literally put a few drops of bleach, or a tiny amount of Chloramine-T powder, into a liter bottle of sterile water or NS for irrigation.

I know it’s still used, but my point was that back in that era, a combination of bleach and water for use on wounds was revolutionary, while today, it seems like it might be a little bit sketchy; almost like using swimming pool water for wound irrigation.

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