Newtown Historical Society Program

To Examine Civil War Medicine

Dr Stewart Petrie, a Civil War re-enactor and great-grandson of Civil War surgeon Myron Robinson, will present a program on Civil War medicine when the Newtown Historical Society begins its fall programs on Monday, September 11, at 7:30 pm in the community room of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library.

The Civil War was a war that killed more by disease than by bullet and shell, a war of exhaustion by attrition and scorched earth, a war of brutal injury caused by ever improving weaponry. With the brutal injuries and disease came the rise of military medical service. The war’s timing gave opportunity for the first time for a medical profession educated academically to practice its training in the field.

The journal and letters of Dr Myron Robinson, a newly graduated field surgeon, show the horror of the war itself and the field conditions that accompanied it: lack of anesthetics, septic conditions in the field hospital, and the lack of sanitation in the camp. Faced with the seemingly endless sight of death, Dr Robinson took his refuge in his journal and his letters, leaving a clear picture of the human side of Civil War medicine.

Stewart Petrie is a graduate of the Temple University Medical School and was in private practice in Ansonia and Derby as well as being chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Griffin Hospital in Derby for 35 years. Besides his memberships in professional medical societies, Dr Petrie is a Civil War re-enactor and a member of the Society of Civil War Surgeons. He also is the author of a published novel based on his great-grandfather’s experiences in the War.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Other fall programs will include the History of Radio on October 10 and the Underwater Archeology of Long Island Sound on November 13.

The Historical Society also will sponsor open houses at its 18th century Matthew Curtiss House headquarters on September 17, with a rug hooking demonstration, and on October 15, with open hearth cooking.  Also offered will be a colonial workshop for children on November 11, in cooperation with the Connecticut Historical Society. For more information on any Newtown Historical Society program or membership, call 426-5937.