The beginning of Marrow of Tragedy really made it clear to me about just how inept the science of medicine was during the Civil War.  Humphreys made it clear that it was much more the organization and policy changes made in medicine than the scientific discoveries of the time that made the difference in the healthcare of the war.  It was interesting to see the impact that women had on these policy changes.  To think that the simplicity of being away from "motherly" care could make such a huge impact on health is surprising.  When I found that many of these policies and organization improvements were initiated by women I was surprised.  To think such policies could be implemented by an androcentric culture at such an unstable time is impressive. I look forward to finding more about the progression of healthcare during the Civil War.